Air Compressor Air Management Help

[ARAMP1]

I've been hard on my air tools. As a mechanic, I've used them for several years every day. Well, that was ten years ago. Now I just use them in my garage with my 60 gal Craftsman air compressor. I've just got a filter and a regulator on it and in the last couple years, my air tools have gone to sh!t.

Now, I know the tools have been used a lot and they're getting old, but when you're grinding and the exhaust from the grinder is spraying water out and getting your sleeve wet, you know you have a problem. So, besides draining the compressor before every use, I've decided that before I upgrade to new air tools, I need to invest in some air management. I've been looking at filters and such from Eastwood, yet I'm not sure which direction to go.

Here's what I've been looking at...

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-filter-separator-regulator-system.html

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-2-stage-air-drying-sys-1-2-npt.html

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-4-stage-desiccant-system-1-2-npt.html

What do I need? Don't mind spending the coin on the best setup. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Fordum]

Unless you are painting, forget the last two.
You don't need air that dry. Moisture management is a process. If you can find one reasonable, get an automatic drain for the compressor. It replaces your present drain, and dumps a shot of air out whenever the compressor stops.

If the shop is plumbed, put a couple of "T"s in the line with a stub with a drain facing down a distance apart.
Then, use the filter/dryer/regulator.

Make sure it is sized for the amount of air you will be drawing. Too small and the moisture will not settle out right.

And last, either a drop of oil in the intake of the tools from time to time, or an inline oil mister will help a lot.

 

[chevyfumes]

Are you running the lines up hill away from the compressor, so the water runs back toward it?
My line goes up from the compressor at about a 45 for 4 feet then I have a drop that I can let water out of then up hill a few degrees to another drop to remove water and finally to my roll of hose.

 

[ARAMP1]

Unless you are painting, forget the last two.
You don't need air that dry. Moisture management is a process. If you can find one reasonable, get an automatic drain for the compressor. It replaces your present drain, and dumps a shot of air out whenever the compressor stops.

If the shop is plumbed, put a couple of "T"s in the line with a stub with a drain facing down a distance apart.
Then, use the filter/dryer/regulator.

Make sure it is sized for the amount of air you will be drawing. Too small and the moisture will not settle out right.

And last, either a drop of oil in the intake of the tools from time to time, or an inline oil mister will help a lot.

That's what I was thinking, although, I was thinking about using a dryer in line before my blast cabinet. When I'm using that for a while, water gets in there and the sand/abrasive material get's stuck together.

Are you running the lines up hill away from the compressor, so the water runs back toward it?
My line goes up from the compressor at about a 45 for 4 feet then I have a drop that I can let water out of then up hill a few degrees to another drop to remove water and finally to my roll of hose.

The shop isn't plumbed. I just have a line that comes out of the compressor.


Thanks for the replies, gents!

 

[cybrfire]

I have found that pipe or metal lines from the compressor is a key part of getting the moisture out of the air.