Hooking up air compressor lines

[Ozz]

Hi guys, I'm new here and am in a huge need for help. The only compressor I've ever used in the past was a small one with a regular built in and I just ran hoses from it. Now I've got a large 60-gallon I have no clue what to do with.

I plan to run the following parts, and am concerned about the placement of regulators, filters, etc. I was searching around the boards for over an hour last night and couldn't exactly find what I was looking for, so please bear with me.

1. Powder coating system - this calls for a dessicant filter, a coalescing filter, and a "prefilter".
2. sandblasting cabinet / air tools / air gun

I want to make the powder coating lines dedicated. The other equipment would be used sparingly, so I could use quick connect fittings to jump between whichever I want at the time. So I'll assume I want to have two separated lines going around the workshop. Where would I want to put the filters required by the powder coating system: on its own line or back near the compressor?

Also on a related note, and remember I'm very new to all of this, is the powder system has an air in- fitting that uses quick tubing connectors like this:

I'm not sure how to incorporate this into my air lines. I'm assuming some sort of air distribution block where this fitting will attach, and when hose is connected it 'turns on'?

I'm sure some of these questions seem pretty funny but I just can't help not knowing anything about this stuff. I tried reading up on what others do but it's never mentioned. Seems to simple it doesn't have to be mentioned, apparently. Going to the stores to look at the fittings and hardware available proves worthless too, and the help there isn't much help either. Compound that with having just moved to a new state and not knowing any specialty stores or friends to lend a hand, and...well, here I am

Many thanks for any help!

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

You should only need to use one airline running around the shop as long as you do not use an in line oiler for the air tools. You can place your filters for the powder coat system at the take off point for it and you would also need to add a regulator there also. Take a look at the "all in one" filter/water separator/regulators similar to this for your "pre filter" and coalescing filter:

IR regulator/filter

Between this and the powder coat system, add a good desiccant filter, as the air will be almost completely dry before it gets to this point and it will increase the useful life of the desiccant filter.

You can add a similar filter/regulator to the other outlets in the shop or run everything thru a water separator/filter before the drops start and then just use a regulator at each drop for the pressure desired. If you are running a single stage compressor, you will most likely be able to get by without a regulator at each connection point unless you need to due to using a HVLP spray gun or something similar.

The pressure drop on a single stage compressor will be such that normal air tools (air guns, ratchets, air chisels, etc.) will fine on the pressure straight from the compressor without any additional reduction. A two-stage compressor should have a regulator either over the entire system or at each drop depending on your needs. I like having the ability to set each drop at a different pressure depending on what gets used there.

The female threads on the connector you have pictured appear to be standard NPT threads (most likely 1/4 or 3/8). You should be able to find fittings for them at any hardware/building supply store (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, etc.)

 

[Ozz]

Thank you. I've got a two-stage compressor here so I'll get a regulator to put right over the entire system as you said. Then I can add supplemental regulators at each drop for fine-tuning.

Could you tell me what the name of the part is which I would connect that fitting shown in the picture above to? I don't imagine it connects right to a metal line run, right?

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

The female threaded part of the connector should be a 1/4 or 3/8 NPT thread. You just need to use a male threaded pipe to fit it. Depending on whether you running copper or iron pipe, you will need a short ****** or pipe (iron) or a 1/4 or 3/8 male pipe adapter (copper). The other end (smooth) should fit into the powder coating system. If it does not and the powder coating system goes into the pipe threaded end, just use normal pipe fittings to plumb it up and ignore the connector you have shown above.

 

[Ozz]

Ah, I get it. Despite that picture I didn't realize they were just NPT threads I could throw onto *******. For some reason I was thinking it had to go onto some special piece. I've been messing w/this powder coat machine way too long!

Thanks for the help so far. I picked up a variety of fittings tonight to get the main compressor filter & regulator all hooked up, now I just need to go back and grab some line so I can run it up the wall. I didn't see any there but I assume it's sold in pre-cut lengths with threaded ends? Or will I have to attach fittings to the end of smooth piping?

 

[mrjsl]

I used to be in the filtration business. Compressed air filtration wasn't something we got into normally, but I have seen setups like you describe in industrial applications many times.

Most filter assemblies have a boss of some kind on the top so you can mount them to something instead of hanging them on a pipe ******. I'd highly recommend it.

The absolute world leader in compressed air filtration technology is Parker's Finite division. They have the most pointy headed scientists working on it anyway. Their stuff can be pricey too.