maximum distance between oiler and air tools

[scottmlew]

I'm still in the process of planning my air plumbing...and hoping for some more helpful advice from the folks here! (btw, I recently stumbled on the "show off your compressor" thread, and there were some killer ideas in there...including the idea to put the compressor in the attic...I'm going to investigate that further to see if I can overcome the logistical hurdles)

I've seen LOTS of conflicting information about how long of a run you can safely have between your automatic oiler and your air tool. By "safely" I mean so that the tool gets enough oil (i.e., so that the oil doesn't fall out of suspension and not make its way into the tool). I've seen several sources that say you really need an oiler that is only a few feet from the tool (using an oiler such as http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TA-98500.html), whereas other sources talk about using a single traditional oiler plumbed into the system and then running a 50" (for example) hose off of it.

So, which is correct?

 

[Torque1st]

Depending on volume and duty cycle the oiler should be within 2-8' of the tool or device to be lubricated. An oiler will work at that larger distance only under specific conditions. Most of the oil injected will condense out on the walls of the tubing and piping eventually finding somewhere to leak out. This is information I picked up from years of designing and working with industrial automation machinery. The "central lubricators" frequently sold by stores and air product distributors are for industrial machines with air motors and air cylinders etc. They should not be used as a "central lubricator" in an air distribution system. They are "central lubricators" for a machine to keep the air cylinders etc lubricated and extend their lives.

I use an air tool oiler like the one pictured in your link only mine has a solid aluminum body. It is connected to a 32" long high flex hose with a swivel at the tool end that makes it easy to manipulate the tool. I left my lubricator at the factory applied setting and it seems to work well. Use air tool oil in it and not some other lubricant. The oiler pictured in your link and a "central lubricator" both work on the same principle.

Central lubricators are difficult to use even in an industrial machine. There are other systems that work better. Getting a central lubricator set so each part of a machine gets adequate lubrication is very difficult. Some devices are flooded with oil and others starve.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Personally, I hate the damned things anywhere. However, if you must use one, keep in mind any air hose hooked to it will be worthless for painting and sandblasting.

 

[<>Severed<>]

I have never and will never use one. I just put a couple drops of a good air tool oil in my tools before useing them. But I am use to that from working in a body shop where we cant use an oiler. And after reading how much of a pain it can be to set up im glad I don't rely on one to keep my tools oiled

 

[scottmlew]

Thanks guys, esp Torque1st! I have been adding a couple of drops of oil to the tools each time I use them, but would really like an automated approach. I think I'm going to do away with the central oiler and do an inline oiler connected to a 2 ft line that goes to the tools. That way it'll be plenty close to the tool for good oiling, but the oiler will be out of my way so I keep the tool's footprint down (making it easier to get into tight spaces). By putting it after my main hose, I'll still be able to use it for painting, etc.

Torque1st -- do you happen to have a link to the oiler you have handy? It sounds like it would be much more durable than the ones I've seen, even the lexan units (and I'd like to be able to have the oiler get banged up a bit without worrying about leaks).

 

[Torque1st]

Scott- I picked mine up at a Home Depot many years ago along with the high flex hose. I have no idea if they still sell that type. Someone probably does tho.

My unit:


It is much easier to grab this hose assy that hangs near my air tools and clip it on than it is to grab a can of oil, open it, and drip some in the tool. Air tool oil containers must be kept closed or the cleaning solvents evaporate.

BTW- Lexan is fairly tough stuff.

 

[nissan_crawler]

If I was going to do it, torque's way would be the best. That way you won't ruin your air hoses, like you would with a central oiler. Those short hoses for the air tool are usually called "whips".

 

[2many projects]

I installed my compressor upstairs in the loft of the garage.
I run 2 lines out of it, one run about 40' long and the second run is about 30'.
both routes run a pair of lines...one is an oil line the other is pure clean air.
It's very quite downstairs without the compressor sharing floor space with me now.
I do think in the future though I'm going to take the oiler out of the loft and install 2 or 3 downstairs.
Seems wasteful having it way upstairs and carrying oil mist on such a long run.

 

[Torque1st]

Toss the oilers and install the lubricators I pictured above. Rip out the oil fouled lines also. If you just tee them back into the "pure air" lines they will just foul those lines also.