Regulator and drier question

[jkesselr]

Hey guys, I am looking for the best air pressure regulator and drier setup I can come up with for reasonable money. I would like to stay south of $200. I want something that regulates and dries/ filters the air. It needs to be for 3/4” npt hard line coming off an IR T30. I will be using the air to run air tools, plasma cutter, and to paint with using both HVLP and RP guns.

Amazon has a bunch, but with few reviews, so who knows if the reviews are cooked up. Help please!!!

 

[matt_i]

I would put my trust in several brands before "Amazon".

In no particular order...SMC, Wilkerson, Numatics, Aro, Master Pneumatic, Speedaire, Parker, Norgren, Festo (and I'm forgetting many many brands)

These are all industrial brands and regularly get taken off equipment that's decomissioned from factories and put on eBay, for any of us to buy good-used, possibly new-in-box from a parts storage system, and put in our personal shops.

Go with cyclonic filter, then coalescing filter, then a dessicant drier and a clean hose and you Sir, are ready to paint.

 

[bob15]

I have had good luck with Wilkerson, Parker & Norgren.

I would look on e-bay first, as many you can buy their components cheaper than elsewhere....even new.

Make sure the filers are rated for the line pressure you have. Example: my filters see the tank pressure of 175 psi, so I made sure they were designed to handle the pressure buy going to their website (Wilkerson in my case).

I would also make sure your set-up can handle the ambient air temp that they will be in. Mine are in an unheated barn, so they will see zero temps on an occasion, inside the building, if we get a prolonged cold spell.

 

[Bretny]

Make your own dryer between the pump and tank. Copper does add up but painting and plasma like really dry air.

 

[jkesselr]

Okay, thanks guys!

 

[didit]

$200.00 is on the light side for a halfway decent system. As mentioned a dryer between the pump and tank is effective. I did it differently and also branched out to two lines using a directional valve. 1 line includes an automatic oiler for air tools and the other oil free and moisture free for painting and blasting. Both are regulated with filters and the oil free line also has a desiccant canister. I use separate hoses for each line so as to not contaminate painting equipment. I just posted this in another thread. Here is a link to the pics.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8339976&postcount=129

 

[Bretny]

$200 isn't on the high side of the type of air plasma and painting needs. A FRLD, all in one stone type dryer isn't going to cut it.

 

[jkesselr]

What is your take on Champion products?