New compressor setup, need advice on if I should remove an extra regulator.

[Tinkering_hobbyist]

I’ve recently purchased a new compressor and it’s being specifically used for airbrushing. My previous experience with a compressor was inflating tires and using a brad nailer occasionally. I have a 20 gallon compressor that does not allow me to think, plus I moved into my office and noise was a real concern. New compressor is awesome, super quiet, and got a really good water seperator, 5 micron filter/regulator then a coalescing filter and an in-line filter, believe it’s around .5 micron. Setup works great, no issues with contamination even on humid days. Only issue is switching between different air brushes, I use different pressures between them especially for different brand paints. Seen people use splitters, with what looked like a gauge less mac valve and it wasn’t what I was looking for. Ended up snagging a SMC arm2500 for $10 on eBay with 5 modules, literally is like brand new. Picked up some digital pressure gauges for a really good price too (kind of got into tinkering/upgrade mode convincing myself I needed much higher accuracy). But now I’m kicking myself for getting the regulator/filter vs just a filter. So I’m debating moving some regulators out? I never really messed with compressors before so it was using stock California Air Tools regulator to water seperator to filter/regulator to coalescing filter into my hose. Now I have 5 dedicated lines with their own regulators. Should I just take out the stock regulator and stick with the filter/regulator off the compressor? I wish I waited a little longer in research to do filter > regulator > coaslescing filter. Can still do it, hey it’s only money. The piping I’ll be running will probably go about 6-8’ so I figure having one from the compressor and then the 5 that will be mounted to my desk would be sufficient. Just didn’t want to keep changing the pressure especially when I picked the regulator manifold sooooo cheap. Or could I just leave it be? Just open up first regulator, put 2nd around 100 psi, the others won’t be set very high, anywhere from 10-40/50 depending on useage. Kind of just got caught in the moment and wanted to try something new, I realize it could be overkill but it was more of a convenience thing. Even thinking about making my own air cooler just because it just looks like an interesting project but had some issues with water getting into my painting a little while back which really cost me on a few pieces. I rather have the overkill vs losing time and potentially destroying someone else’s property. Side gig, doing some restoration/custom work. Appreciate any advice, even if it’s calling the whole thing crazy haha.

 

[cvairwerks]

Set the regulator on the compressor to about 15 psig above your highest spray pressure, and then set each regulator on the manifold as required. Just be sure that you get the correct pressure for each brush at it's desired flow rate. If you have the individual regulator cranked way up, and not getting the desired results, then bump up the regulator at the compressor a bit and readjust the close regulator.

 

[FredWanaker]

Set the regulator on the compressor to about 15 psig above your highest spray pressure, and then set each regulator on the manifold as required. Just be sure that you get the correct pressure for each brush at it's desired flow rate. If you have the individual regulator cranked way up, and not getting the desired results, then bump up the regulator at the compressor a bit and readjust the close regulator.

this ^^^^