Share your compressed air setup

[harriw]

Hey folks,

What's your compressed air setup look like? Do you run water seperators/air filters? I'm getting a new torque wrench soon and figured I ought to add a seperator/filter to protect my investment.

Finding a filter is no problem - already got it. Now I'm a bit stumped as to how to arrange everything. I had planned to just screw it onto the output of my compressor, but that would leave a lot of "stuff" just hanging off the end. As you can see here, the tool pressure regulator and quick-connect are already cantilevered off of the tank regulator.

You can also see that I'd have to mount the filter an inch or two further out than I'd like to because the compressor's handle would otherwise interfere with the bowl when screwing on the filter. Just makes the problem worse.

So what do you all do? Do you have a filter, and possibly a regulator and/or lubricator bolted to the wall next to your compressor? Or do you have full-blown shop-air setups with proper slopes on the runs, auto-drains, and filters, lubricators, etc. at each drop ($$$)? Or, do you not bother with any of this stuff and just run tools straight off your compressor's output?

I'm thinking about getting a cheap hose reel (25 to 50 feet or so of 3/8" ID) to bolt to the wall somewhere, and putting the filter on the wall right next to it, inline before the hose reel. That sound decent? I'm a bit concerned about trying to run a big (500-600 ft-lbs, 1/2" drive) torque wrench through all that 3/8" hose and 1/4" NPT hardware though...

I'd love to hear about all your setups to get some ideas...

Thanks!

 

[adsm08]

Where are you getting a pneumatic torque wrench?

I don't worry about running filters on my compressor. No dirt that can really damage the tools should be able to get into the tank and then out the lines. As for water, its not an issue if you keep your tank drained and your tools oiled well.

 

[rockwerks]

I always use CO2 setup with a high flow regulator for a pepsi machine, works great.

 

[rboyer]

I always use CO2 setup with a high flow regulator for a pepsi machine, works great.

I just recently had to do heads on an old chevy 305 and had no compressed air to run the mini die grinder for cleanup. I ended up swapping around regulator parts until I came up with something that would do atleast 100psi out to an air hose and adapt to a tank of argomix. It was a waste of good gas but the person with the tank didn't care and boy it sure ran the tool for the whole job!

 

[rockwerks]

I just recently had to do heads on an old chevy 305 and had no compressed air to run the mini die grinder for cleanup. I ended up swapping around regulator parts until I came up with something that would do atleast 100psi out to an air hose and adapt to a tank of argomix. It was a waste of good gas but the person with the tank didn't care and boy it sure ran the tool for the whole job!

this regulator would allow to 125psi if I remember correctly, it also ran my Arb, you can see the solenoid in the picture. I also weld steel with 100% co2 also. a bit more splatter but much hotter weld

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Mines an 80 gallon DeVilbiss ProAir. I had just installed the compressor when this picture was taken. I run a flex hose from the tank to an oil/water separator then to a regulator, Both are mounted to the wall beside the compressor.

 

[harriw]

Thanks for the input guys. Anyone else want to chime in on whether or not a seperator is necessary? I'm thinking I might return it and hold off until I can afford to do a "shop air" system and install the seperators then...

Anyone have any experience/opinions on those PVC flex-tubing shop air systems? They seem a lot less expensive and easier to install and modify than copper plumbing... I've seen a few 3/8" ID systems, but Sears has a "Rapid Air" brand system with 1/2" tubing...

Thanks again.

-Bill

 

[rockwerks]

Thanks for the input guys. Anyone else want to chime in on whether or not a seperator is necessary? I'm thinking I might return it and hold off until I can afford to do a "shop air" system and install the seperators then...

Anyone have any experience/opinions on those PVC flex-tubing shop air systems? They seem a lot less expensive and easier to install and modify than copper plumbing... I've seen a few 3/8" ID systems, but Sears has a "Rapid Air" brand system with 1/2" tubing...

Thanks again.

-Bill

LOL I thought we where taling onboard air setups

 

[triumphrider-1]

I have a seperator on my outlet side, nothing on the inlet. Not sure what all you plan on using it for, but for sandblasting having the seperator is nice.

 

[harriw]

LOL I thought we where taling onboard air setups

LOL - my bad, should have specified. It's still relevant though, and sweet to see

I have a seperator on my outlet side, nothing on the inlet. Not sure what all you plan on using it for, but for sandblasting having the seperator is nice.

Don't do any sandblasting at the moment, but I haven't ruled it out for "someday." Right now I really only use the air to inflate things (or dust/blow things off), drive an impact gun and sometimes an air-ratchet. I have a small air-hammer too, but haven't ever needed to use it. For grinding and cutting, I go with an electric angle grinder and/or saws-all. Also have an air-driven grease gun, but use a mechanical gun instead.

I also have a siphon-feed sprayer that I've used for some rather odd things (not painting) before, and could definitely forsee using it for some "quick-and-dirty" painting (maybe spraying primer on frame or something). I know I should have a seperator (and probably a dedicated air hose? Or is that only necessary if you run a lubricator in your every-day hose?) for that.