Air compressor plumbing questions

[OilPatch197]

So this is the diagram of my setup.

I want the longest leg of the setup to support a paint gun, I need to filter the air down to 5 microns, and remove any oil for painting applications.

I have a few questions:

1. if I install a 5 micron water separator(rated at 65cfm@100psi) would this cause a problem for high volume air tools such as orbital sanders and impact guns?

2. I'm going to be using Milton high flow "V" couplers for impact gun, most impacts run around 8 cfm's, is a 65 cfm water separator too big? ( I can get a 36cfm @100psi.)

3. I understand that I should never oversize my filters, it's the vortex that separates the condensed water from the air.

4. Because I only got 15" of room, I wont' have enough space for a regulator, so I will have a small down spout and then the regulator, will I have an issue of condensate in this small section of pipe?

5. I thought about the different filters(the QC3 desiccant dryer) but I don't want to be bothered with constant recharging/replacing of desiccant for occasional paint jobs.

6. I looked at 5 micron filters such as this:
http://www.eastwood.com/devilbiss-a...om&utm_medium=Merchant-Centre&SRCCODE=1SE1531
It has the regulator coming out the front, however I am not sure how good it would be at trapping oil particulates, and I have no experience with these filters.

So I choosed this http://www.mcmaster.com/#frls/=nifsxf Two-Stage Fine Particle- and Oil-Removal Air Filters, seems to do the same but with an Oil separator as well. Which is better?

Can you make me some suggestions, thanks.

 

[stumpcatcher]

1 & 2
You dont need to waste your filters or water separator on air tools, "T" off a line b4 them and run air tools from that, save filters and water separator for painting.

4
If you have no room for regulator get a in line regulator and put it on the air hose.

 

[markopolo]

1 & 2
You dont need to waste your filters or water separator on air tools, "T" off a line b4 them and run air tools from that, save filters and water separator for painting.

4
If you have no room for regulator get a in line regulator and put it on the air hose.

I agree. No sense in wasting filters on air tools. Just make sure you lube them ocasionally.

As to the filters.. The mcmaster one looks like it would do the job.
I have had good luck with Norgrens stuff. Norgen makes a series of filters that are modular with mounting brackets and shut off valves. They arent cheap but they last forever.

Since space is a problem the actually have a filter/regulator combo.

http://www.jhf.com/Catalog_v6/0715.pdf

 

[OilPatch197]

1 & 2
You dont need to waste your filters or water separator on air tools, "T" off a line b4 them and run air tools from that, save filters and water separator for painting.

Sure about this? I would be drawing straight air off the compressor tank, and I would be having water condense in the line, sure I got a Riser and a drop to catch the moisture, but I'm at the minimum recommended run of piping?

 

[wildbill23c]

I don't really have a hard line air system but when I start using my air tools constantly I do have a harbor freight air filter/regulator/oil fogger that I hook up to my tools. Its not that expensive and doesn't take up much space. I can't find the one I have on the harbor freight site but they have the separate parts that you can just connect together. My advice is though if you are using air tools all the time just use an inline oiler off your compressor's outlet with a quick disconnect on it so if you need to use your compressor for paint spraying you don't have to deal with the oiler being there and trying to bypass it. However, once you use one of the inline oilers you will have to get a different hose to use for running paint sprayers as the oiler will inject oil through the air hose to your tools.

 

[stumpcatcher]

1 & 2
You dont need to waste your filters or water separator on air tools, "T" off a line b4 them and run air tools from that, save filters and water separator for painting.

Sure about this? I would be drawing straight air off the compressor tank, and I would be having water condense in the line, sure I got a Riser and a drop to catch the moisture, but I'm at the minimum recommended run of piping?

As far as I know water condenses in the tank so you just drain the water out of the tank regularly. Thats good enuff for air tools, as long as you lubricate them regularly. The only time Ive seen some water in the line is when the tank never gets drained, so I go drain the tank and theres no more water in the line. If you never ever drain the tank it will eventually get full of water.

 

[markopolo]

As far as I know water condenses in the tank so you just drain the water out of the tank regularly. Thats good enuff for air tools, as long as you lubricate them regularly. The only time Ive seen some water in the line is when the tank never gets drained, so I go drain the tank and theres no more water in the line. If you never ever drain the tank it will eventually get full of water.

I agree. The only other way you could get water in the lines is a large temperature change. Say your compressor and tank is outside and it's 100+ degrees out and your lines run into your a/c shop. You will get some condensation in the lines then.

 

[stumpcatcher]

I agree. The only other way you could get water in the lines is a large temperature change. Say your compressor and tank is outside and it's 100+ degrees out and your lines run into your a/c shop. You will get some condensation in the lines then.

Yup, the opposite is, at the gas station compressor inside tire hose outside, first cold day hose freezes and then no air all winter. All they gotta do is drain the tank regularity and put a air drier on the line rite b4 it goes outside. And put some methyl hydrate in the tank.

 

[OilPatch197]

Does anyone know how long these 5 micron filters last?(the 5 micron filter is in a water separator)

I got some 40 Micron Miltons (metal coated) in a friends garage, they seem like they last forever.


Do the 5 micron filters require maintenance, or are they as durable as the "never needs replaced" typical filters in air line water separators?