What Else Do I Need To Begin Spraying (Comp, Gun, Hose)?

[EViS]

A couple of items arrived today, could I have some advice on how to put it all together please?

a) Should I take the entire section (regulator) off the compressor as per blue circle in the compressor photo? And then fit the filter/regulator here instead? The filter/regulator has a 3/8" BSP, what fitting do I need to attach it to the compressor?

b) The 3/8" hose screws straight into the filter/regulator, I take it there is no need for any other fittings here then?

c) What fitting do I need between the gun (AZ3 HTE2) and the hose?

d) Does the filter/regulator need to be positioned vertically for water to be drained? Or can it be at an angle closer to lying horizontally?

 

[shenion]

See if there is an access plug on the tank where you can put your reg/filter. The existing manifild looks like 1/4" fittings so would be restrictive.

If no access plug you can adapt, you can redo the manifold like this (courtesy of Maddog):

Yes it needs to be vertical.

 

[EViS]

There is no additional access plug. Can I do the following (or is there a better way)?

1. take the blue-circled section off,
2. pop a 1/4" to 3/8" BSP adapter on,
3. 200mm 3/8" copper pipe to extend past the tank,
4. 3/8" to male 3/8" fitting,
5. Regulator/filter

How does that sound?

 

[shenion]

Is that a Norgren filter?

You can do as you said. I would limit flow some but would work.

I'd look at the manifold, there just may be a port on the back.

 

[tigler]

Don't forget to install a shut off valve either before or after the reg, a lever ball type will do. You might have a problem using copper pipe to extend from the pressure switch, it's not very strong.

 

[EViS]

Is that a Norgren filter?

You can do as you said. I would limit flow some but would work.

I'd look at the manifold, there just may be a port on the back.

This is going to be a stupid question, but which part is the manifold? Would the flow be limited because of the first 1/4" output?

Don't forget to install a shut off valve either before or after the reg, a lever ball type will do. You might have a problem using copper pipe to extend from the pressure switch, it's not very strong.

Where's the best place to buy the fittings? And are you recommending steel fittings instead?

 

[tigler]

Yes, steel is better, try somewhere like this, http://www.pipefittingsdirect.co.uk/index.html

The arrangement as shown in the above post by Shenion is probably the best way to modify yours also.

 

[eil]

Before you buy or do anything it might be a good idea to connect your spray gun up to the hose and see if the compressor can provide the 30psi at the gun, and for how long. you can check this by using a simple t piece with a gauge attached to the gun or one like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-Air-Regulator-Adjustable-Gauge-Spraygun-/300480252049

 

[EViS]

Yes, steel is better, try somewhere like this, http://www.pipefittingsdirect.co.uk/index.html

The arrangement as shown in the above post by Shenion is probably the best way to modify yours also.

The problem is that the pipe coming out of the compressor tank is 1/4" BSP, hence I cannot achieve a complete 3/8" BSP connection from tank to gun.

 

[EViS]

Before you buy or do anything it might be a good idea to connect your spray gun up to the hose and see if the compressor can provide the 30psi at the gun, and for how long. you can check this by using a simple t piece with a gauge attached to the gun or one like this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-Air-Regulator-Adjustable-Gauge-Spraygun-/300480252049

Out of interest, why would it not be able to provide this?

 

[eil]

I'm not saying it wont, but to be sure that it will, the reason being those restrictive ports under the pressure switch, if it doesn't it would mean that it would be best to go down the Maddog route from the start as thats how I have mine set up.
It will prove that it is up to the job basically.

 

[EViS]

I'm not saying it wont, but to be sure that it will, the reason being those restrictive ports under the pressure switch, if it doesn't it would mean that it would be best to go down the Maddog route from the start as thats how I have mine set up.
It will prove that it is up to the job basically.

I must be missing something here. How can I go down the Maddog route if the tank outlet to begin with is only 1/4"? Isn't the Maddog tank outlet 3/8"?

 

[tigler]

The compressor in the ebay link has a blanking plug in the end of the receiver, is yours not the same as that ?

 

[eil]

Have a read through this thread http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=18442 it might make things a bit clearer for you. I all depends what size your receiver is, and how high the blanking plug is off the ground, if there is enough room you can connect your regulator to the end of the receiver as suggested by Tigler and not touch the switch and regulator thats fitted to it already, that looks the simplest way of doing it.

 

[EViS]

The compressor in the ebay link has a blanking plug in the end of the receiver, is yours not the same as that ?

I was unable to change the link in my opening post after some time. Last minute I decided to go for this 3hp compressor instead.

Mine has a blanking plug at the end and in the middle too and there is sufficient ground clearance... If so, I imagine the outlet on the tank is 1/2", can you buy 1/2" male to 3/8" male fittings?

Are there any downsides to doing it this way (i.e. having the air output half-way down the tank as opposed to at the top)?

 

[tigler]

Yes, male to male adaptors are readily available and that size jump is very typically used in industry. The correct type to use is taper male to taper male, commonly known as BSPT. It can be sealed with either PTFE tape or liquid thread seal.
There is no problem with taking the delivery from the end of the receiver, in fact it's normal practice on industrial compressors.

 

[EViS]

Tried to remove the 'plug' today but it's incredibly tight. I used a a 3/8" allen key which wasn't a perfect fit and slipped. Tried a size up and that was too big. Any ideas on what size key I may need?

 

[shenion]

Probably 10mm.

May take some heat as they are sealed with putty.

 

[langy]

A metric key i would of thought !!!

Tried to remove the 'plug' today but it's incredibly tight. I used a a 3/8" allen key which wasn't a perfect fit and slipped. Tried a size up and that was too big. Any ideas on what size key I may need?

 

[Grrrmachine]

This thread has really cleared up some info for me, and I appreciate it. But I have a quick question about filters:

What micron-level of filtration is necessarily for spraying paint? I've seen filters from 40 microns down to 0.1 microns, with 20, 10 and 5 in between. Some setups (like the one in the tutorial) use two filters, but don't mention what size particles are filtered out, so any info would be appreciated so that I don't buy more filters than is necessary.