quick questions about air set-up

[bigegg]

i currently have two compressors: a 150l 3hp, and a 50l 1hp.

i run a plasma cutter, an air-nailer and a blow gun at the moment off the small one, as the larger is in storage.

i'm looking at setting up a paint booth for painting smaller items, as well as running a die grinder a DA sander and a impact wrench.

I have a seperate lean-to shed planned for the compressor(s) and am intending to run hard (copper) lines to various points around the (20x10) garage.
I've read the various threads about how to slope the feeds and tee upwards to remove water from the
system.

the paint area will be separate to the other work.
I wont be using 2k paints, so i dont need "breathable" compressed air.

i'd like an automatic oiling system.

so...
questions:
given that, ideally, the air supply for the paint needs to be at the opposite end of the system to the compressor (to allow drying), how do i plumb in the oiler/water filter? - add oil at the compressor end, then filter it out again before the spray booth?
run two lines - one oiled, one not?

do i *need* to remove oil before the paint gun?
how important is it to dry the air before air tools - or is it just painting?

 

[rtbcomp]

You mustn't add oil to air if you're going to spray paint.

If you're using tools and spraying run air straight from the tank to localised regulator/filters and then add an oiler to those you want to use with tools.

 

[Lazurus]

I purchased some small inline oilers which I put onto the individual tools that require oiling, keeps my air lines free of oil and easy to adjust and refill to suit each tool.

 

[MoreWellie]

for casual use I just stick a few drops of oil directly in to the tool before I hook it on to the airline

you could add oilers to each of the outlets you are going to use the tools on but just in the leg that feeds the outlet so the main flow is kept clean

you should also have "oily" hoses and "clean" hoses to avoid residual oil getting in to the paint

 

[bigegg]

thanks.

i'm pricing up, and an extra 6m of copper pipe + fittings isnt much difference compared to multiple oilers, so might just run a second line.


also: does the plasma cutter need oil/water free air?

 

[frank horton]

Always good to get rid o the water from all air lines....
Keep the water trap near the compressor and T off from that.....

 

[Lazurus]

thanks.

i'm pricing up, and an extra 6m of copper pipe + fittings isnt much difference compared to multiple oilers, so might just run a second line.


also: does the plasma cutter need oil/water free air?

Yes dry air for Plasma or it will hiss and spit and burn the consumables

 

[Kayos]

Run the air line high level and have drop tees for draining. Slope it back slightly and they will collect the water

 

[brightspark]

don't bother with oilers for any air tool. a total waste of time unless your on a production line and tools getting used24 hours a day . just 3drops of oil in the tool before you start is well sufficient

 

[chris pruteanu]

I use an Abac compressor and every time I drain the tanks there is oil/water emulsion leaking out of the tanks ! I also run two air lines : one straight from the tanks with no filters for impact/weezy guns and one filtered and with an Oiler on...doesn’t get much use that as I always use tools at full chat 10-12 bars...
As above, use ball valves to drain for longer runs of pipe, cooper gets cold and hot air going trough a cold pipe will condense any moisture and accumulate in the lower spot !
As others mentioned, a few drops of oil before using a tool for longer period of time is indicated as opposed to relying on a dedicated Oiler which can run dry !

 

[doubleboost]

Dry air is a must for plasma