Regulator at air tool

[ecotec]

I need a small regulator that I can connect and disconnect to my blow guns, so as to not wreck things (sun roof gaskets, awnings… things that I want less psi without dialing down the shop air.

Ideally, I would want just one that I could attach to different tools.

Is there a favorite or industry standard for such a thing?

 

[GeoBruin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't need a regulator that you can adjust to a certain pressure right? You're just looking for a valve that can control the flow.

In that case, this style valve seems like the lowest profile.

UFFY Air Flow Regulator Control Tool https://a.co/d/j22h9Fr

That said, air guns with integrated adjustable valves are out there and they can really get low profile. I have this Capri and it has worked great.

Capri Tools Air Blow Gun https://a.co/d/jaE7JBX

If you do need an actual regulator to hit a specific pressure, a paint sprayer regulator is probably the right thing. That's exactly what they're used for... adjusting pressure at the "tool". But with the gauge, they can get a little bulky and delicate.

TCP Global Air Adjusting Valve Regulator https://a.co/d/aB9r6f1

Also note that a small regulator like this probably chokes your flow down if you are trying to run wide open.

 

[larry_g]

Whoops, we couldn't find that.

Astro Pneumatic Air Regulator, Adjusting, 1/4" 5706 | Zoro

Order Astro Pneumatic Air Regulator, Adjusting, 1/4", 5706 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Combine the above two items and a QD and you will have what I use when I need control of the air blast. There are also many nozzle's available that have adjustment in the tip for control.

lg

 

[niget2002]

You can look at spray gun regulators like we use for painting. Put a quick disconnect on it and pop it in in-line with your air gun.

 

[NUTTSGT]

https://www.grainger.com/product/24...yIvCX7vVSpsZRRtupDxoC_xsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Astro Pneumatic Air Regulator, Adjusting, 1/4" 5706 | Zoro

Order Astro Pneumatic Air Regulator, Adjusting, 1/4", 5706 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

Combine the above two items and a QD and you will have what I use when I need control of the air blast. There are also many nozzle's available that have adjustment in the tip for control.

lg

That is what I was going to recommend for a simple, quick and easy fix.

You used to be able to find those valves at the tool sellers at Swap Meets.

 

[The Cobbler]

a small valve is all you really need, you can do that for a lot less than a regulator . or as mentioned get a spray gun regulator

 

[ecotec]

I am probably going to put fittings on a regulator like GeoBruin listed. I want something with a gauge, and I want to be able to move it from tool to tool.

I want to be able to use it with my digital air inflator, too. Mostly, I want to use it on blow guns.

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Won't the gauge always read zero on a blown gun? To read pressure after the in-line regulator would mean there is a restriction or something to actually build flowing back pressure.

 

[ecotec]

Won't the gauge always read zero on a blown gun? To read pressure after the in-line regulator would mean there is a restriction or something to actually build flowing back pressure.

Would not pushing the button on the blow gun or air inflator not do that?

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Would not pushing the button on the blow gun or air inflator not do that?

It would let you set the pressure at the tool but the issue is when you squeeze the trigger. If it can't build pressure the regulator will just free flow in effort to build flowing air pressure. Regulators work off a diaphragm and spring that control a valve, the signal to control the valve comes from the outlet side pressure in the system (very high level explanation). If there is no pressure on the outlet side it just free flows.

Remember you are talking about a pressure regulator not a flow regulator.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

A good blow gun will let you go from just a whisper of air to full bore. Using a regulator to achieve this seems really back asswards to me. Get a good blow gun and be done with it.

Vacula makes a good one. Been using Vaculas for years.

Amazon.com: Vacula VAC72-020-1050 Blow Gun (4" Full Flow) : Tools & Home Improvement https://share.google/lJPixMOlOCbGfzTiX

 

[ecotec]

I guess I just need a valve, then.

 

[larry_g]

I guess I just need a valve, then.

That is correct. You really want to control FLOW and not pressure.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[American Locomotive]

I guess I just need a valve, then.

That is correct. You really want to control FLOW and not pressure.

lg
no neat sig line

wellll... the thing about an adjustable flow valve, is that it will still allow full pressure to build up between flow control valve and the on/off valve of the tool when the tool is off. That means when you first pull the trigger, you'll get a quick blast of full-pressure air, before it starts getting reduced down. May or may not be a problem.

The pressure at the air-fitting of a blow gun will not be 0 - there is a quite significant restriction inside the gun. A good regulator will allow you to dial in a pressure you are happy with, and will always maintain that pressure so you don't have any accidental full-pressure surprises which can happen with a flow valve.

They make mini-regulators for things like paint spray guns.

 

[Beerhippie]

Damn all yer hides. I never knew until now that I needed an adjustable blowgun....

 

[ecotec]

Damn all yer hides. I never knew until now that I needed an adjustable blowgun....

You probably don’t. You can probably just lightly pull the trigger on your blow gun and blow the schmutz out of your sunroof. You just don’t want to blow it through the seals or gaskets or whatever and blow the schmutz into the headliner.

 

[larry_g]

You probably don’t. You can probably just lightly pull the trigger on your blow gun and blow the schmutz out of your sunroof. You just don’t want to blow it through the seals or gaskets or whatever and blow the schmutz into the headliner.

I would suggest that a vacuum cleaner and a brush might be the better tool for that job.

As heard through the transom window of a cheap hotel " **** dammit, blow is a misnomer."

lg
no neat sig line

 

[KnurledNut]

I like to regulate down to 40psi for general use.
The MAC pocket nozzle is handy. It twists for flow control and to shut off. It stays in my field kit due to its small size and minimal weight. Great for bleeding off tanks since its always on when open.

 

[ecotec]

I like to regulate down to 40psi for general use:

This MAC pocket nozzle is handy. It twists for flow control and to shut off. It stays in my field kit due to its small size and minimal weight. Great for bleeding off tanks since its always on when open:

Your picture is not showing up on my end, and your pictures always work.

 

[KnurledNut]

Your picture is not showing up on my end, and your pictures always work.

Odd. Both pictures are showing for me.
Edit: I tried on another device and I see what you’re saying. I’ll see if I can fix it.

 

[ecotec]

It is working now. I have Milton’s in both of the configurations in your pictures minus the regulator and hose set up.

I would like to build a setup similar to yours, but with a female disconnect before the tool. Then, it could be used with different blow guns and such.