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Silly question - pneumatic grinder spitting - water or oil?

pierre

Active member
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
35
I know, stupid question... but I can't figure it out. I was using a right angle, front exhaust IR grinder with a 2" sanding disc to strip a metal shelf of paint.

I usually oil every tool before daily use but I didn't today. I wasn't expecting the grinder to spit out anything, but after 1/2+ hour of sanding it kept seeping out the exhaust and splattering on the workpiece.

At first I thought it was water condensing, but it felt slightly tacky like oil would. On the workpiece, it wouldn't wipe cleanly, also convincing me it was oil. My plumbing may not be ideal, but the drip leg on that drop was bone dry as well. For simplicities sake, I'll leave the plumbing detail for another post.

I tried a 6" DA sander on the same hose - nothing came out of the exhaust - however it has a little sponge baffle that could of stopped any liquid. I think I have a spare grinder somewhere I will have to try. I suppose I could run my IR impact to see if it spits out anything but its a relatively low speed tool so not sure it would have the same affect.

The grinder felt ever so slightly cool. Assuming its water, could it be even though the drip leg was dry, the water condensed after it passed through the high speed grinder? On days I would oil the grinder, it would stop spitting a min or two after use.
 
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rsanter

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Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
18,521
Location
visalia ca
its water with a little oil trace with it
you need to empty your water trap or you need a beter one

bob
 
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Elroy

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Oct 15, 2005
Messages
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Location
kentucky
The grinder felt ever so slightly cool. Assuming its water, could it be even though the drip leg was dry, the water condensed after it passed through the high speed grinder?

Let Elroy venture this explanation:

The air motor is basically a large "expansion valve" as you noticed by its coolness. What you're seeing is condensate that has washed out some oil with it.

Hooking up the new tool which is at room temperature won't generate the condensate until you use it while. Once the DA gets cool enough from use, it too will generate condensate.
 
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