Air Tool Woes

[Parm]

Ive got an ABAC B312 compressor, it's 3HP with a 50l tank and rated at 11.2 CFM

Ive only ever used it with a blow gun and it been fine.

Ive now bought a CP Redipower right angle die grinder model no RP9106QB rated at 6.3 bar and 90 psi. It spins up when free but as soon as you put any load on it it just stalls.

Ive checked the compressor regulator and that's at 100psi and the airline has a 6mm ID.

Is the problem with compressor not being man enough or is it the air line beginging too restrictive ?

 

[eSCHEn]

As I understand it Parm, they're a greedy tool air-wise. Whether the bore is too small I couldn't say but a 3HP machine seems strong enough.

 

[WorkshopChris]

As I understand it Parm, they're a greedy tool air-wise. Whether the bore is too small I couldn't say but a 3HP machine seems strong enough.

I was just going to say the same, the compressor should be fine, might be worth looking at the regulator and air line, to see if they are restricting things.

 

[knighty]

even with a tiny compressor it should run fine for a few min because there's enough air in the tank to cover it

sounds like air line is too small to me, try plugging it direct into the compressor ?

 

[pedrobedro]

Rated at 11.2cfm, what does that mean ? I have a 3hp direct drive SIP and it's rated at something like that but I don't follow how it's worked out, a free air delivery figure is what you need to know and it's usually estimated at 2/3 the CFM for a rough guide. I gave up with rotary air tools as they run the compressor continuously and have to wait for it to catch up. Buying a different regulator and a new airline made no difference.

 

[Cobbler]

If the compressor wasn't big enough the pressure would drop & would continue to drop when pumping & the tool was being used. If it can maintain pressure it's big enough, if that makes sense. With my rattle gun, the instructions said 10mm tubing required. I changed from 8mm & it made a significant difference, I've since changed to high flow fittings as well to try to reduce pressure loss in the line.

I wouldn't mind betting that with 6mm line as you state, the pressure is nothing like what you think it is at the end when your grinder is running. That's my ten pence worth added

 

[Parm]

As I understand it Parm, they're a greedy tool air-wise. Whether the bore is too small I couldn't say but a 3HP machine seems strong enough.

I was just going to say the same, the compressor should be fine, might be worth looking at the regulator and air line, to see if they are restricting things.

That's what I thought but don't understad why its not working. As soon as you power up the tool the comp kicks in a is struggling to keep up.

How do I check the regular ?

 

[Parm]

Ive done a bit more digging around and the specs on the tool state that it will work from a 3HP comp but needs a 60 gallon tank, I convert that to around 200 l

So..... Will a bigger tank and change of air line help ?

 

[123hotchef]

6mm air line may be a little restricted mate

 

[Parm]

6mm air line may be a little restricted mate

I'm looking at some new line now, 3/8 or 1/2?

 

[WorkshopChris]

I'm looking at some new line now, 3/8 or 1/2?

I would go for 3/8 10mm should be ok, as 1/2" gets a bit to heavy to use on a small tool.

 

[dobbslc]

Have you drained the tank recently?
Give the drain valve a poke with a piece of wire as they can block up.

 

[Parm]

Have you drained the tank recently?
Give the drain valve a poke with a piece of wire as they can block up.

Not been drained in a long time, could this be an issue ?

 

[123hotchef]

10mm should be ok

 

[WorkshopChris]

Not been drained in a long time, could this be an issue ?

All depends you may have 25 lrt of air and 25ltr of water.
Have seen a tank nearly full once , guy could not work out why pump would shut off then run again a minute later.
Edit> he was using the top outlet. Only found out when he put a airline on the end of tank pcl and the blow gun turned into a jet wash.

 

[Flapdisk]

Yeah keep it drained mate, I drain mine every evening when I pack up. Use high flow fittings and 10mm bore pipe, you can also improve things by fitting a connector directly to the centre of the air tank to avoid all the small plumbing and restrictions on the compressor.

 

[500e]

Can on understand people who don,t drain tanks Daily if used daily, A. water in lines & tools not good B. water in tank = Rust not good C. insurance man hates it not good for premium.
There was a thread last week regarding drains, some auto others an extension with tap so as to facilitate easy access.
Hi flow & 10mm bore pipe would be minimum unless a small tool, it is volume as well as pressure you are looking at

 

[Parm]

Thanks folks

Advice taken, now where would I find the Darin ?

I don't know much about compressors and have never drained mine in all the time ive had it. Never given me any issues as its only ever been used as an air line

I'm gonna look like a plonker if it's full of water

I shall report back

 

[the snooper]

Drain is usually underneath, some older compressors had a tap higher up and used an internal tube to pick up the water

 

[Flapdisk]

Make sure you have released all the pressure before you open it though