Oil/Water Separator- is it necessary?

[dk10438]

Hi,
i'm making the plunge into pneumatics and I'm wondering if an oil/water separator is necessary for light use (and I'm going to stress light use meaning a couple of times a month).

I have a small Makita Mac5200 and plan on using an impact wrench for auto use, ratchet and drill. A lot of people seem to say just make sure your tool is oiled and you're good to go. I did purchase a tekton 4475 and hooked it up tonight with a husky 1/4 in hex impact as well as an Ingersoll 2115 and it both impacts seemed noticeably weaker (maybe cuz I didn't have a regulator on the back end of the oil/water separator). I don't know but it seems like anytime you restrict the air flow the tools will be a little weaker. So I'm wondering if an O/W separator is necessary or can I get by with just oiling the tools prior to each use.

Thanks in advance!

 

[aziroc]

If u only use it a few times a month I wouldn't worry about getting one

 

[redmondjp]

You don't need one.

And if you are using your tools that infrequently, you don't even need to oil them every use either. If you want to do so, only use one drop of oil before use. I oil my air tools with 2-3 drops every month or two of use (I'm a light user as well) or so and this has been working fine for me for the past 25 years.

 

[gnpenning]

I think they are worth it. I have one on each one of my compressors. If you use one or not you need to make sure you drain your tank after you use it. If you where using it every day you might be able to wait for a few days depending where you live. You just don't want water sitting in your tank for long.

Drills and grinders use alot of air and will cycle the pump more.

If you do any painting, sand blasting or plasma arc you will need one (that compressor is small for these use's).

Cheap ones can reduce flow and psi.

 

[sberry]

Why wouldn't you want an air filter and water trap before tools?

 

[Shadowdog500]

If you are just using it occasionally to air up a tire or use an impact gun or air ratchet you don't need one. I did this for decades with a 2hp 25 gallon compressor. Put a few drops of air tool oil in the impact or air ratchet before you use it the first time on any day and don't forget to open the valve on the bottom of the tank for a few seconds to drain any water out of the tank when you are done for the day.

If you want to paint or sandblast you definately want a line drier (like dessicant) followed by a filter because a little bit of water in the line will ruin a paint job and will clump up a sandblast gun.

I never run a line oiler because you can't use the lines for painting if there is oil in them, I assume the oil in the lines would mess up a sandblaster as well.

Chris

 

[dk10438]

Why wouldn't you want an air filter and water trap before tools?

because I'm assuming that anytime you make the air flow more restrictive that you are taking away from the power of the tools. seems like many people don't use any air or water filters and the tools work just fine...

 

[dk10438]

so I finally had a chance to try the tools out. I had the regulator on the compressor set at 100 PSI (pressure dropped when I started using gun) and with the A/O separator, it couldn't bust the lug off of my wife's MDX. I took the A/O separator off and lug came off. So I have a couple of questions,

1. how much does the pressure drop in the hose? 25 ft Goodyear, 3/8 in with Milton V high flow connects.

2. Should I get a pressure gauge to measure the pressure at the gun and adjust the regulator pressure so it's getting 90 PSI when the gun is engaged or should I just stick to 100 at the compressor?

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . that Makita "big bore" compressor looks pretty nice as cast iron cylinder and oil splash creating 6.9 CFM at 90 psi.

Compressor is capable of 140 psi so I'd set COMPRESSOR regulator at 140psi.

OP you may be starving yourself by keeping pressure set too low, yet hoping to run an impact gun. That compressor SHOULD run an impact wrench. Turn UP the pressure !!

Occasional drop of oil in tool would do the trick (ie for your infrequent use), and your call on whether you "need" a filter/separator . . . likely not. With pressure turned up to 140psi, you'll likely be up and running with 25 ft hose and impact wrench.

 

[dk10438]

u don't think setting the regulator to 130-140 is too much?
max gun pressure is 90 PSI??
wouldn't I be better off getting an inline regulator and measuring what the pressure is at the end of the hose during load?

 

[sberry]

You need 120 or 130 to get 90 at a tool with 25 ft of 3/8 on a full size impact gun.

 

[redmondjp]

Also, you can plumb up a second air fitting upstream of the filter/regulator for use with the impact so you can get full pressure/flow. You can also have two hoses/tools attached to the compressor at the same time this way which can be handy in some situations (use second line for another tool or blow gun).

 

[dk10438]

Also, you can plumb up a second air fitting upstream of the filter/regulator for use with the impact so you can get full pressure/flow. You can also have two hoses/tools attached to the compressor at the same time this way which can be handy in some situations (use second line for another tool or blow gun).

actually the Makita has 2 outlets so I'm good on that.
pressure seems inadequate with the A/O separator. for what I'm doing, a few drops of oil are going to be sufficient.
Thanks!!

 

[rick carpenter]

Just throwing it out there, but what about a Coilhose inline regulator (http://coilhose.com/index.php/filters-regulators-lubricators/in-line-series/regulators.html) at the tool end? You could run wide open from the tank, let the separator of your choice do it's thing, and maybe get to or close to the psi you need at the tool.

I'm just going to oil and go with my little compressor.

 

[dk10438]

Intrigued by this coilhose inline
Anyone know if it really works??

 

[Sticky Grips]

I wouldn't run that in-line regulator on an impact gun, it's intended to be used on intermittent tools like a nail gun. Some people do, but the design of that regulator and its operating principles don't really lend themselves to work well on constant flow tools.

A properly sized filter shouldn't choke off your air flow. What Filter/Separator were you using?

As far as the need to use a separator....that is entirely up to you. If you use your tools occasionally, maybe it isn't worth the expense to you. Personally, I run a filter and regulator on everything, except for a dedicated line that is used for a blow gun.

I hope this helps.