Air Compressor Question

[greasefingers]

Ok so I bought a used air compressor. It is a Sears 2 hp with a 20-gallon tank. My main criteria was that it be fan belt driven, and not direct drive, and that the motor could be wired for 220 volts (110 volts draws twice the current). So after changing the power cord and rearranging the motor wiring, I fire it up and to my joy I did not smoke the motor.

My question is: I drained more water than I expected. Do you guys use some sort of inline water knock-out filter? And what about the oiling of tools. I know you can buy a device that oils drips oil into the air hose, or do you manually place a few drops directly into the tool before attaching the hose; each time you use an air tool?

 

[Kmvreter]

Ok so I bought a used air compressor. It is a Sears 2 hp with a 20-gallon tank. My main criteria was that it be fan belt driven, and not direct drive, and that the motor could be wired for 220 volts (110 volts draws twice the current). So after changing the power cord and rearranging the motor wiring, I fire it up and to my joy I did not smoke the motor.

My question is: I drained more water than I expected. Do you guys use some sort of inline water knock-out filter? And what about the oiling of tools. I know you can buy a device that oils drips oil into the air hose, or do you manually place a few drops directly into the tool before attaching the hose; each time you use an air tool?

I'm assuming it is an oil type (not oil-less) because of the belt drive and since it is used the first thing I would do is change the actual compressor oil.
I use a small filter + regulator set. The filter housing is glass and has a drain valve. Don't forget to drain the moisture out of the tank (bottom drain cock) after every day of use because that is the worst enemy for a tank rusting from the inside out.
I don't have an auto oiler. Just put a couple of drops of tool oil in the tool inlet when I use them.

 

[SteveM]

:iagree:

What he said, exactly.

 

[greasefingers]

Yes it is an oil type compressor. I like the idea of the filter regulator combo. Adjusting the delivery pressure is crude, at best, without a fine-adjusting regulator. One more thing; I do not have an owner

 

[Kmvreter]

Yes it is an oil type compressor. I like the idea of the filter regulator combo. Adjusting the delivery pressure is crude, at best, without a fine-adjusting regulator. One more thing; I do not have an owner

 

[greasefingers]

The condensable water looks like used olive oil

 

[rossmon1]

Same machine

Ha, when I saw the pic i smiled. I have had the same unit for 10 - 15 years except mine is 3hp. I got a sears waterfilter and a can of sears compressor oil when I bought it. I squirt a little into my air tools b4 each use and immediately put a rag over the air outlet on the tool to catch the spray. Don't go squemish on oiling your tools and they will last 4ever. My air rachet, butterfly and 1/2 drive are almost 30 years old and work like the day i bought them and that includes 10 years working as a pro.
I,ve never changed anything broke one of the guages years ago and never bother adjusting the pressure anyway and with a 2hp even more important to just crank it to the max and you will probably still want more.
I hope you have 1/2"line as the smaller line lose's you the power
you want for cracking lugs easily.

 

[jharris2]

:iagree:

What he said, exactly.

Ditto.

 

[greasefingers]

I'll head to Sears and buy whatever oil they have for this and see if the have a water filter. Thanks.

 

[Koz]

greasefingers,

This is what you need (air regulator filter lubricator & oiler), you can mount it on a wall near the compressor or rig up a bracket on the compressor. I would put the compressor in a far corner (less noise) and plumb copper pipe to several locations in the garage (use quick releases at all ends).

http://www.brandsonsale.com/rid-30218.html

Koz

 

[greasefingers]

Yea I have a large propane tank, not handheld, for sweatin copper pipe. I was thinking about running a

 

[Koz]

Yea I have a large propane tank, not handheld, for sweatin copper pipe. I was thinking about running a

 

[greasefingers]

Hey Koz: We go to the Outer Banks every summer for vacation. This year my family & I will be down there form June 19th. to the 26th. Too bad we are not going to be there at the same time. Wouldn't that be fun! We will be in Duck, NC.

 

[cpayne5]

The outer banks is a great area, I love it there. One of the reasons I bought the runner was for Corolla and Ocracoke.

Unfortunately, I am going to be down there for only a day or two this year. I'm getting married in July and the honeymoon is a road trip to Orlando and back. We're going to come back up through the OBX and spend a night or two in Hatteras.

 

[Koz]

Hey Koz: We go to the Outer Banks every summer for vacation. This year my family & I will be down there form June 19th. to the 26th. Too bad we are not going to be there at the same time. Wouldn't that be fun! We will be in Duck, NC.

I'll be there May 23 to 27. Kill Devil Hills

Koz

 

[BCsOTM]

Greasefingers,

Keeping water drained from the compressor is important. If you want to have your compressor do this for you on cycle on/off try this from Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46960

Not very expensive and works great. As far as oil for the compressor, most new compressors can use synthetic engine oil like Mobil 1.

Butch

 

[greasefingers]

Wow is that cheap for automatic draining! I may do this if I place a second order with them. Thanks for the info

 

[Kmvreter]

Greasefingers,

If you want to have your compressor do this for you on cycle on/off try this from Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46960

Butch

There are 2 different kits by HarborFreight but both warn not to use them above 100 psi. Most compressors max at 120 psi so is it safe to use? Does anyone here have this or experience with it?

 

[fuosama]

I'll be there May 23 to 27. Kill Devil Hills

Koz

Wow, looks like I'll just miss you. We go down there every year (to Southern Shores) and we'll be there from May 29th to June 5th. This'll be the first year with the 4Runner though, since I just picked it up last Friday!

 

[boston_kevin]

My compressor always has about 120 PSI in the tank. A trick I learned from diving over many, many years... As long as the tank has pressurized air in the tank, you don't get condensation (especially important when you are breathing the air). Last time I purged the tank completed (5 year old tank) and looked inside, no rust whatsoever. Of course my tank also never moves from its location beneath my workbench in the garage either...