Setting up Air Compressor

[DSM21]

Hey guys I just bought my first air compressor the other day.
Craftsman 27 gallon professional oil lubed.
I would have gone bigger, but only have access to 120 and I don't plan on any extreme use.
I bought an assortment of accessories including this kit http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-p...p-00916191000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2
also bought the 3/8 flexzilla air hose and reel.
What else do I need or suggest????
I was looking at a water trap, but don't know any good water trap, Craftsman and Kobalt water trap both have gotten bad reviews.

Also what is this Cold Air cooler I hear people installing on their Air compressors????
I tried searching for most of this already, but haven't found exactly what i am looking for.
Thanks in advance

 

[zkling]

Depends on how you want to use the compressor. If you want to use it as a portable unit you will have to keep that in mind as far as what accessories and how you will mount them. On the other hand if you plan on just parking it and leaving it like many of us do the you a few more options such as a hard install and pluming lines around the shop.

At the minimum I'd put a combo filter, regulator, water trap coming off, or ideally a few feet down of the output of the tank. Then, depending on how long of runs and number of outputs you want possibly a smaller filter and regulator at each point of use. Ideally you want drops in your supply line so you can drain out water build up. If you do a search for "compressor plumbing diagram" you should see some good examples.

The "Cold air cooler" you are referring to is probably some type of air dryer. When you compress air it heats up. Hot air can "hold" more water than cold air, so when it cools back down to ambient, water will condense out and form in the tank and or piping. What these dryers and coolers do is to help cool the air and condense out as much water as fast as possible.

Parker, Norgren, Motorguard are good names in filter units. Make sure to size the flow rate to your compressor when purchasing. No need to get a much larger unit and waste $.

 

[MillerMav]

I just recently bought the same compressor and while I have not got it hooked up yet if you are using it for the same purposes I am (home hobby mechanic type stuff) then you shouldn't need a cooler. Unless you live in a hot climate....?

That being said you should definitely get at least one dryer and put it a foot or so off of the input to your reel. The regulator on the compressor is good enough that I did not go for a secondary filter/regulator which brings the cost of the filter down quite a bit. I went with two Campbell Hausfeld units from Amazon for $18 a piece or something. The cfm exceeds the compressors rating and the reviews are good enough for an "at home" type of guy like myself. I plan to run 110-120psi throughout the shop and if I do any painting or put in a small blaster I will just hook a regulator up to it directly to dial it back a bit.

I am also going to run copper lines for my system since the compressor will not be mobile. If you do the same it will help with cooling the air in the lines.

I would run a 1/2" soft line from the compressor to your hard line the run hard line to your reel and throw a couple drops around the shop.

 

[pfhWJ]

SCM make a good water separator W/ automatic oiler if you need it. I have a 30 gal husky pro I put it on a wood frame to isolate vibrations and make it easier to drain the water.

 

[DSM21]

Thanks guys I was wondering who made a decent or good filter, bc I looked at the Craftsman and it sounds like junk.
Thanks for the input. I am not going to put hard lines in right now, bc I am going to try and insulate the garage this summer and put some work benches and storage shelves around the garage, so the air compressor will probably move.

So basically for right now I just need a water-trap from SCM or CH.
What about an external oil???Necessary? over-kill??

 

[venturesomerite]

Nothing to contribute here, but subbed for dryer suggestions.

 

[GarageWrench]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003X5VLBG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I recently bought this filter with the matching bracket for my Craftsman pro 25 gallon. It's made in the USA and seems like a high quality unit. I'll get some pics of my setup when completed.

 

[DSM21]

Thanks guys I was wondering who made a decent or good filter, bc I looked at the Craftsman and it sounds like junk.
Thanks for the input. I am not going to put hard lines in right now, bc I am going to try and insulate the garage this summer and put some work benches and storage shelves around the garage, so the air compressor will probably move.

So basically for right now I just need a water-trap from SCM or CH.
What about an external oil???Necessary? over-kill??

 

[MillerMav]

If all you're going to run are air tools than an oiler would be okay. I would put a couple drops before it though in case you ever want to do any blow off, painting or blasting or something.