I want to add a regulator and some filters to my 80 gal Saylor but seem to have run into some confusion about what I need. The compressor will be used for air tools, small plasma cutter and sand blasting. Ideally I’d like to get a combo unit, and think a 3 stage will work. I know I need a regulator and filter but do I need a desiccant filter or coalescing filter for my needs. Is a desiccant more for paint booths? If I understand correctly, a coalescing filter removes moisture while a desiccant filter dries the air.
Plasma cutters really like dry air, and so do sand blasters. I like a dessicant filter In addition to a coalescing filter because it offers some extra moisture removal but it also give you some feedback on how moist your air is (how quickly the beads turn pink.
You can easily spend $1,000 on a multi-stage system from Tsunami, Graco, DeVilbiss, etc but those really are geared toward painters. If I were you, I would pick up one of these THB setups from Amazon (or any of the rebranded versions) for all your air, and then plunk down for a motor guard filter right before your blast cabinet and/or plasma cutter.
I have that version and it's
bigger brother installed in various applications and I've been very happy with them. I thought I wanted to get a "better" dedicated regulator at first so I got a Milton and I was actually not super happy with how it was built. I think the piggyback is the way to go. I also paid more to get mine from eastwood before I realized it was jsut rebranded.
In my case, I have a 3 stage setup like the one linked that all my air runs through, then down stream a ways I have 3-way ball valve installed before my hose reel and the drops for my blast cabinet and plasma cutter. I typically leave it switched to just pass air directly through when I'm jsut running air tools on the hose. But if I want to blast, use the plasma, or put the paint gun on the hose reel, I throw the ball valve and it directs all the air through a motor guard filter. That keeps me from going through them as fast.
Good luck!
3 STAGE, HEAVY DUTY INDUSTRIAL GRADE FILTER REGULATOR COALESCING DESICCANT DRYER SYSTEM FOR COMPRESSED AIR LINES, METAL BOWLS, GREAT FOR PAINT SPRAY AND PLASMA CUTTER (1/2" NPT, MANUAL DRAIN)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y4345RK?tag=atomicindus08-20
