New air impact wrench whip setup for work

[noahwins]

I'm finally upgrading my trusty but tired Craftsman Japan 1/2" air impact I got from a friend for free 10 years ago and getting a pair of new Cleco air impacts, a 1/2" for underbody work and a 3/8" pinned more or less permanently to a Snap On 203FLSM lug nut socket set for wheels, plus a set of air ratchets.

We have an IR shop compressor and air hard lines that haven't been cleaned out in I don't know how long. Cleco's spec is 90 PSI. I thought the best way to do keep my new tools clean, oiled and in good shape would be to get a filter, a quality pressure regulator set to 90 PSI, then a Texas Pneumatic oiler...

https://www.airtools.com/products/l...e-lubricators-filter-lubricators/tx-1-4l.html

...and then a 6' whip hose and a Prevost safety coupler. Texas Pneumatic suggests putting the oiler 6' in front of the tool.

Compressor > Shop Hose > Filter > Regulator > Oiler > Whip > Coupler > Tool

What is the best filter that won't drop the CFM too much, pressure regulator and hose for this application? I want these tools to last as long as possible.

I'm working on an apprentice's budget.

 

[patchap]

I would oil it once a day and not worry too much. Air impacts are very reliable.
If your a little down on air pressure, worst case you lose some power.

 

[johninct]

Unless your shop compressor is putting out really high psi, don't use a regulator.

 

[plinker]

If you add oil once a day when you use the tools I'd skip the oiler, mainly as it contaminates the hose with oil and could make an oily mess when using a blow gun when you want "clean" air.

I've been using this type of filter for a long time, no issues,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AMFLO-Schrader-Bridgeport-Air-Compressor-Pressure-Regulator-Filter-USA-NEW/273118770946?hash=item3f9725b702:g:7YAAAOSw4P1asIXD

I've also used a Sharpe F88 filter, a Motorguard may be better depending on what you're doing. I have run filters in tandem when doing some blasting and painting to keep any moisture away. With regulators, keep in mind you want 90psi while the tool is running, not really an issue unless your compressor does over 150psi.

For basic air tools the Amflo is likely more then enough for normal use. Air tools will last a very long time with minimal care provided they arent drowned in water and left to sit for a period of time.

Everyone is different regarding whip hose length. I dont care for them myself, but I do use them on air hammers and other tools that will destroy fittings in short order. About 16"-24" works for me.

 

[noahwins]

Thanks. I was thinking using my own personal whip with an oiler with a filter acting like a check valve so oil doesn't get into the shop hose when I use air tools, then switch to straight shop air for blowing stuff out so no oil getting sprayed around.

Even with no regulator, I want to at least filter the air though. The hard lines are old old. Our shop has been around since the 1960s. Last time the lines were replaced or cleaned might have been the Reagan administration...

Yowza. Cleco's OEM oil is $100 per quart. I'm but one man, not exactly an assembly line with 300 tools to oil daily.

3M 20451 Air Tool Lube for $10/4 oz. Yay/nay?

 

[eschoendorff]

Thanks. I want to filter the air though. The hard lines are old old. Our shop has been around since the 1960s. Last time the lines were replaced or cleaned might have been the Reagan administration...

Yowza. Cleco's OEM oil is $100 per quart. I'm but one man, not exactly an assembly line with 300 tools to oil daily.

3M 20451 Air Tool Lube for $10/4 oz. Yay/nay?

I’ve used marvel mystery air til oil for years with good results.

 

[plinker]

I’ve used marvel mystery air til oil for years with good results.

+1, Marvel oil or Matco is what I've used for a long time (pretty sure Matco oil is Marvel oil).

 

[noahwins]

Thanks guys. I love this forum.

This is kinda trick...

https://www.ebay.com/p/Air-Tool-Oiler-Steck-16600/1043167578?iid=142697993663&chn=ps

 

[WaterBoyz]

Thanks guys. I love this forum.

This is kinda trick...

https://www.ebay.com/p/Air-Tool-Oiler-Steck-16600/1043167578?iid=142697993663&chn=ps

You could have held a gun to my head and I would never have thought of that.

NEATO

 

[RedneckWelder]

Bro you are way overthinking this. I have a guy at work that I’m trying to mentor past the same type of overthinking because it hurts you in the end on efficiency when it’s applied in the shop.

Just use some air tool oil or marvel mystery oil or really most any type of light tool once a day. You don’t want to regulate your impact at 90 psi at a regulator because you won’t have that at the fitting. The only thing in our shop that has its own regulator is a torque gun that requires it’s own regulator for regulating the air precisely for the torque level.

Ideally you want about 120 at the gun for the power. BTW the manufacturers all say 90 psi but they don’t get their advertised numbers at 90 they jack it up to make up the “nut busting torque” ******** number. It won’t have any meaningful impact on your tool life to have stuff like impacts regulated a little higher than 90, our field guys turn their compressors up a good bit for their 1” impacts and they last just fine.