Seeking decent air regulator and "filter"

[HyperPete]

I'm running my compressor lines and I think I want/need to replace my air regulator(s) and water traps.

I used 3/4" black iron and a stainless 3/4" flex pipe from the compressor and for the first 6 feet with a down leg to collect water, and then it switches to 3/4" Maxline. The outlets at the end of each line reduce to 1/2". My older filters and regulators are 3/8" and 1/4". (Both regulators are 3/8".) My air hoses are 3/8". I am thinking that I want to dump AT LEAST the 1/4" filter, and possible upgrade the regulators to 1/2", although I am unsure that this is necessary since my air hoses are 3/8."

The first regulator is a 30 year old Stanley Bostich, and the second is a cheapo Kobalt. I Just replaced the Kobalt under warranty because it leaked constantly, so I can return the unopened product if I want.

The compressor is a 60 gallon 230V 2-stage Kobalt that's made by Campbell Hausfeld, which I picked up on sale. I will be using it primarily for my air tool (impacts, ratchets, drills, cutoff, grinder/sander, etc.) I might use it occasionally for my modified Harbor Freight 20 gallon sandblaster and eventually some small motorcycle painting products, but I will add a dessicant before I start painting. I understand that the compressor is not ideal for high CFM work like sandblasting, but for the occasional use I plan, I will make do.

I am retired, and the work I will be doing is as a hobbyist, so I do not need something designed for professional use, but I am a firm believer that "the bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten." Therefore, I am looking for your suggestions.

 

[Dustball]

I'm in automation and we use primarily SMC modular air prep components when building our systems. Those may be more than you're looking to spend so you may want to consider these-
https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ration_(frl-filters,_regulators,_lubricators)

 

[HyperPete]

At first the link did not work, but I figured it out - the trailing bracket is not included in the link for some reason.

These are very reasonably priced. Thank you for the suggestions. Tomorrow I should find out if the old Stanley Bostich regulator even works. I took it apart and cleaned it and see nothing wrong, so it SHOULD. I will be returning the Kobalt regulator. I just want something better, and hopefully more reliable.

 

[Dustball]

If you want to spend more money for proven quality, here's a vendor for SMC-
https://www.smcpneumatics.com/Part-Builders-FRLs_ep_2427-1.html

 

[matt_i]

My take is to use used industrial components.

Norgren, Numatics, Master Pneumatic, Aro, Festo, are just a couple I can think of currently, the list is probably triple that.

Check ebay for something that looks clean on the outside and not hacked up.

 

[HyperPete]

If you want to spend more money for proven quality, here's a vendor for SMC-
https://www.smcpneumatics.com/Part-Builders-FRLs_ep_2427-1.html

Wow, those look nice! I think the series AC will work fine, and are not unreasonably priced.

My take is to use used industrial components.

Norgren, Numatics, Master Pneumatic, Aro, Festo, are just a couple I can think of currently, the list is probably triple that.

Check ebay for something that looks clean on the outside and not hacked up.

Thank you for the list to check out. I don't think I want to deal with something used, I'll splurge a little on this for the peace of mind knowing I won't have to deal with possible defects and returns. I think I will just setup one outlet for now, and add to the setup as needed

 

[930dreamer]

I've had good look finding industrial air type products on eBay.

 

[stonesfan68]

My take is to use used industrial components.

Norgren, Numatics, Master Pneumatic, Aro, Festo, are just a couple I can think of currently, the list is probably triple that.

Check ebay for something that looks clean on the outside and not hacked up.

I second this suggestion. I would add Ingersoll-Rand, Hankison/SPX/Pneumatic Products to the list.

 

[sberry]

I just happened to look at Walmart, had the ideal sized stuff right on the shelf.
I have had a couple cheaper ones take a **** but they were old and wellllll used. It was time to redesign anyway. 25 years. I like the 3/8 stuff, most of the regs have combination ports, 1/4 for gages.

 

[sberry]

Pic 3 was a salvage, 4 is just ahead of the paint reel. 1 and 2 are to a single reel, the stuff is old, I usually shut off the valve.
This shows the plumbing in to that unit, valve ahead of the union. I had a whole bunch and pile of fittings at hand and losses from more fittings irrelevent.

 

[MAYOR28]

I just bought a PneumaticsPlus unit for my install. Been using a small 1/4" version without issue for about 8 years, upgraded to a 3/4" inlet for my new compressor.


AMAZON LINKY:

My layout and build out: THREAD.

...

 

[HyperPete]

This is what I have at the moment. The Kobalt filter is supposed to filter down to 5 μm, and the Monnier (on the right) can filter to 3 μm, but has 1/4" fittings. I still have to finish running the air lines, but I have to go get some insulation first so I don't keep ******* through propane so fast trying to keep warm out there!

The nice thing about retirement is that if I don't get it done today, I can work on it tomorrow!

 

[sberry]

All these threads run together. We talk about whats the use and the placement of hydrants and reels needs to consider the landscape. A big use for many most on this forum is likely tires and nothing as good as a reel reaches out around a car on the apron etc. My Bud should be a 2 reel shop, basically one at each end. Reaches all the way out on the apron for tire service.
The first 2 pics above is one of my faves. I relocated the line about 6 ft, was a super pain to get to the valve replumbed it with a 1/2 valve on the hard line, a reducing bushing to a 3/8 hyd swivel 90 degree then a hyd ****** to 3/8 npt in to the filter, 2/8 nip to reg and used the 1/4 90 that was salvage at the moment to ****** up. Any improvements I can or could make irrelevant and minor.

 

[HyperPete]

Yep, understood. Tire service will be included in my needs, including tire removal, replacement, and bead seating, mostly for motorcycles, but I have had to do so on my truck when I needed to install pressure sensors on my snow tires / rims.

I'll be sandblasting occasionally, which needs a lot of volume; likely more than my compressor can easily handle. If I find that I am doing it more frequently than I suspect I will, I can always sell this compressor and upgrade into something more powerful. I suspect, however, this one will be fine.

I have never done automotive painting, but I am likely to give that a try in the future. I realize I will need to add desiccant prior to doing so.

I just installed an overhead hose reel yesterday, and that is likely going to be my main air source. I have a couple of ultra cheap Harbor Freight manual reels, and I may or may not run lines for those as well for the times I want to use multiple tools or have other folks visiting and also using the air. (Think tech sessions.)

I realize that what I am doing is overkill, but what the heck - why not? In the past I did not have the wherewithal to be able to do this, and I'm not going to live forever, so why not go with overkill?