> Subject: Air Compressor Questions
First, I'll second some previous suggestions, with the exception of PVC for
air lines. PVC may hold the pressure, but if it does break under pressure,
it can shatter and send pieces flying. Accidently hit your copper shop line
with a sledge hammer or flying car part, and it may dent, or even split,
but not shatter. Saftey is the issue.
So, for network medium, the choices are as follows:
-Quick and easy- just string air hose, with a couple splitters. You'll have
some pressure losses, but it'll do most things, with very little time and
$$ to setup. Go out to your fav cheap tool supplier, and get some 10, 25,
(and even 50 ft) lines. Even if you eventually go with fixed lines, you'll
still use the flex lines for tools, etc.
-Once you decide to go permanant, you can use either copper or black iron
pipe. The bigger the better (3/4 or 1" is nice for longer runs). This gives
you a lot of flexability in layout, fittings, etc. Fit "drip lines" with
bleeders at outlets, as shown in a previous drawing, and filters or
oilers as needed. Remote regulators will let you runn full pressure in the
system, and have full pressure available for the sand blaster at the same
time as 30 psi for the blast nozzle, etc.
Another consideration rarely mentioned is a connector standard. All my
lines have quick-connects, male on one end, female on the other. All tools
have a male end. Even my portable air tank is fitted with a female fitting,
which often comes in handy. (like for an air nozzle at the track for odd
pressurizing, or dust removal) While most lines use standard threads, there
are several quick connect fittings. choose either whatever your friends
have so you can swap tools, or whatever comes in bulk from the tool supply,
cus they can add up the $$.
> If you were replacing your complete installation today, what changes
> would you make in tool selection, hookups, or any other decisions that
> affect how you use (not to mention how you spend money on) your compressor
> and the tools you use?
I'm now running a 4 HP on 220V, 25 gal with flex lines. I'm overdue to
upgrade to hard lines, but it works. So far, the sandblaster, impact
wrench, and spray guns are the air hogs. Running the sandblaster through
100 ft of hose isn't optimal, and my new Accuspray gun will want everything
it can get, so may cause the upgrade. I may also add a 40 gal resivouir
tank, formerly my water tank for the well, as a buffer.
A nice upgrade would be to 5HP, to give the desired ratings for my sprayer
& sand blasting, but I can pause once in a while. A 2 stage would be real
nice...
I need a new impact wrench, the old one is from a shop, and getting weak.
Also handy is the air propelled syphion nozzle, a cheap form of pressure
washer.
The best pnumatic tool I have:
Now that you have air, you can even run a semi-hydraulic lift, The lift
uses almost nothing, it can raise an LBC most or all the way in the air on
one tank of air. Of course, you need to dig an 8' deep hole...
Roger -now if I can just leave the sheet rock long enough
to remember what a car looks like -Garnett
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