Get me set up right please! (compressor)

[unclerandy]

So I just upgraded my Craftsman 15gal maintenance free vertical compressor to an Ingersoll Rand Garage Mate 20gal. My first "real" compressor. I have a three car garage and the compressor is used infrequently for inflating and blow gun mostly. Air tool or grinder used maybe couple times a year. I just bought the retractable 50ft hose real from Harbor Freight. I'd like to know if any type of hard line set up is still recommended? What type and brand of water separator is recommended and where should it be installed? I'm not on a super tight budget and like things to be done right even if not "necessary". If I'm missing any details needed for the advise let me know.

 

[unclerandy]

Hello....echo, echo, echo

 

[Rhyno]

My response will ruffle a number of "*******" and "Internet Safety Patrolmen", but it works and has worked for a long time.....

Use White PVC, and be very particular about joint prep and glue-up. Keep your pressure regulator at 100lbs or less. I set mine at 90 or less.

Hang your lines so that they are not level and let gravity drain your water. Angle them to drain towards the end of the circuits.

Figure in an extra "space" below your ******* or elbows, to use as a "Catch Can" and put in some sort of "Drain ****."

If you need dry air for an AirBrush or Plasma Cutter, plan on adding an inexpensive one, at the tool.

I have been doing that, too.

I shut my compressor off at night (if my memory is up to task... ), and bleed the water when leaving and when returning.

It works great, and on a budget....

Post pics of what you do...

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[softailgarage]

With a 20 gallon compressor, unless you do alot of painting, I wouldn't bother with a hardline. Now, that being said, lets address the PVC line. Fact: PVC is not rated for nor was designed for air pressure. Yes, some people do use PVC, for many years at that, it doesn't mean it's safe, it just means they have gotten lucky. Shrapnel at 100psi will hurt & possibly KILL YOU. There's a reason why California bans it in commercial applications, it tends to explode under pressure ( and I'm not an "internet safety patrolman", I just don't want to read about Joe Blow who's pvc line blew up killing his 5 year old that happened to be in the garage at the time). If your going to take the time and energy to install a hard line, why not do it the right way?

 

[unclerandy]

With a 20 gallon compressor, unless you do alot of painting, I wouldn't bother with a hardline. Now, that being said, lets address the PVC line. Fact: PVC is not rated for nor was designed for air pressure. Yes, some people do use PVC, for many years at that, it doesn't mean it's safe, it just means they have gotten lucky. Shrapnel at 100psi will hurt & possibly KILL YOU. There's a reason why California bans it in commercial applications, it tends to explode under pressure ( and I'm not an "internet safety patrolman", I just don't want to read about Joe Blow who's pvc line blew up killing his 5 year old that happened to be in the garage at the time). If your going to take the time and energy to install a hard line, why not do it the right way?

Anyone can google PVC and compressed air to know better than that! Can you recommend an air separator and where it should be installed if I'm just using a cord reel?

 

[TJJP77]

I just recently acquired an older 24 gallon IR Garage Mate and am going through the same thing. I am planning to add a filter/separator just off the regulator and then add my quick connect (Milton V-type to maximize flow) to the outlet of the filter. I plan on using this filter, or another one like it from the same brand:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PZ66IW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I appears as though they are made in the USA, unlike most of the other ones you find at Harbor Freight, Sears, etc.

I'm using 3/8" I.D. hose and all Milton V-type fittings as noted earlier. I'm even considering getting a regulator/filter in 3/8" fitting to improve flow, but the fitting size out of the main control switch (not sure what its called?) is 1/4" so I'm not sure a 3/8" regulator buys me anything.

 

[Daves69]

In my personal experience mounting the separator too close to the compressor does not allow the hot air to cool enough and allow the water to separate.

This RapidAir kit from Northern Tool would probably suit your needs.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200367525_200367525

The nylon flexible air line is the same used on truck air systems and is rated for compressed air.

 

[texasfiremedic]

Welcome to the Garage Journal.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247348

This should help.

Yes, mounting your air/water separator to close to your tank will not do well. you have to let the vapor cool and condense to liquid before a air/ water separator will work. In order to get the best dry air you have to use a desiccant dryer.

 

[unclerandy]

Welcome to the Garage Journal.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247348

This should help.

Yes, mounting your air/water separator to close to your tank will not do well. you have to let the vapor cool and condense to liquid before a air/ water separator will work. In order to get the best dry air you have to use a desiccant dryer.

I don't wanna be one of those guys that "just doesn't get it"! Having said that....I really only use a blow gun, and inflate a tire once in a while. I have the compressor, 6' supply line into the hose reel. Should I still have a water separator? Is it pointless if installed right off the compressor? Should I get two 3' supply lines and put it in between? You see what I'm getting at....I don't wanna create an entire situation with hard lines and stuff mounted to the wall etc for a compressor and hose reel to blow stuff off once in a while. But at the end of the day whats right is whats right, if I need one I guess I'll do what it takes. Please advise further. Thanks

 

[Jas29]

I don't wanna be one of those guys that "just doesn't get it"! Having said that....I really only use a blow gun, and inflate a tire once in a while. I have the compressor, 6' supply line into the hose reel. Should I still have a water separator? Is it pointless if installed right off the compressor? Should I get two 3' supply lines and put it in between? You see what I'm getting at....I don't wanna create an entire situation with hard lines and stuff mounted to the wall etc for a compressor and hose reel to blow stuff off once in a while. But at the end of the day whats right is whats right, if I need one I guess I'll do what it takes. Please advise further. Thanks

I would not get a water separator if i was in your situation.

Your 20 gallon compressor is not even going to turn on if your just filling one tire. What I do on my compressor is open the release valve so the water sprays out the bottom with it unplugged so it doesn't turn on then their is no more water in the tank and I just fill up my tires and turn on the compressor afterwards and let it fill back up and release any more water that has entered the tank after filling it up.

 

[rtole]

I would not. I use air tools at work with no water separation.......I oil them and they last fine. I have some that sit and some have everyday use. Keep them oiled and you will be fine.

 

[rtole]

And for crying out loud.......pvc for air line? Wow. Just cause your poor doesnt mean you have to be dumb.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Skip the water filter. Just drain your tank on a reg basis. If you do more than air up or blow off, reconsider I suspect if you get into heavier use, you will run out of compressor before water becomes a huge issue.
Have fun!

 

[ZRX61]

Anyone can google PVC and compressed air to know better than that! Can you recommend an air separator and where it should be installed if I'm just using a cord reel?

I use Sharp products. 2x 606's:



& an 880A:



The 880A is bolted to my plasma cutter cart. Left side outlet goes to that, adapter on the right side outlet is for an airbrush.

 

[Farmall450]

I wouldn't even run a hardline. And if I did it wouldn't be PVC.

 

[RCStocker]

My response will ruffle a number of "*******" and "Internet Safety Patrolmen", but it works and has worked for a long time.....

Use White PVC, and be very particular about joint prep and glue-up. Keep your pressure regulator at 100lbs or less. I set mine at 90 or less.

Hang your lines so that they are not level and let gravity drain your water. Angle them to drain towards the end of the circuits.

Figure in an extra "space" below your ******* or elbows, to use as a "Catch Can" and put in some sort of "Drain ****."

If you need dry air for an AirBrush or Plasma Cutter, plan on adding an inexpensive one, at the tool.

I have been doing that, too.

I shut my compressor off at night (if my memory is up to task... ), and bleed the water when leaving and when returning.

It works great, and on a budget....

Post pics of what you do...

.

.

.

You can not use PVC for anything commercial or in any business.
With that said I will tell you I have been #40 for home and my private shops for 46 years. Only once I had a joint pull apart and it is one I did not glue. It is rated for 240 pounds. Use a primer and then the glue. Just let it set up for 24 hours like the instructions say. Use conduit clips to install it. I have it installed in my home shop and when I upgraded to a 2 stage compressor I changed over to galvanized.

The dryer will work better on the end of the line. They do not work well installed on the tank. The air turns the water in to finer vapor and the filter will work better when it has more chance to become vapor. It is like the tube on my asthma inhalers. It take the medication and vaporizes it.

Just make sure you drain the tank every day. Moisture will rust the tank and a new tank cost as much as a new compressor.

You crack me up. A real compressor 20 gallons. Sorry but that is funny. That size is good for nail guns and a ********. Air grinders takes a huge volume of air.

If you clip the pipe so it is solid you will not have any problems. The pipe will not blow but the joint of the fittings will blow. The box stores carry cheap fittings. Got to a land scape business and get their. The fitting fit into each other and save a lot of un-necessary fittings.

It works very well for small compressors. Then again if you don't live on the edge you will have such guilt you will kill yourself before it blows. LOL

 

[Jim C.]

Who would even think of that? You've used a 20 gallon compressor for both applications haven't you? On second thought, don't answer that.

Jim C.

 

[rsanter]

I vote for keep it simple
In my last garage I had the compressor under a shelf
Ran a hose up the shelf and then across to two hose reels that were places beteen the bays of a 3 car garage
Between that and the extra outlet at the compressor it was all I ever needed for work in my garage. And I did a ton of work in there
I had always meant to run hard line but the hose never seemed to be a problem so I never changed it

Bob