Given an Air Compressor Today

[5030]

My distribution network is a retractable hose real and I feel pretty fancy.
My FIL is a master woodworker and has a setup as you describe.

I'm a bit more advanced than you are, but then I have a working machine shop. My main air lines are all in 1" black pipe with 3/4" drops and 2 QD fittings on each drop with a condensate drain and drip leg at the bottom of each. I have a combined receiver capacity of 300 gallons static. Just about enough for my use.

All the piping in the shop is clearly labelled as to content, natural gas lines for the heaters are labelled 'Gas', water lines are labelled 'water' and compressed air is labelled 'compressed air' per OSHA regs, in the correct colors, Gas is red label, water is blue label and air is yellow label and each line has a label every 10 running feet and at each point of use outlet. Thats the law btw.

 

[prichard]

I figured there would be some piping involved since I wouldn't want to work standing next to that thing. It ain't gonna be quiet.

 

[SPYDERLK]

The higher the static pressure is, the more heat the compressor develops, the more entrained moisture is in the compressed air and the more condensate drops out as the air cools in the receiver. heat is the number one killer of any compressor with poor maintenance running a close second. People get a compressor and forget about it. Intake filters need cleaned and oil needs changed...regularly and not motor oil either, but a compressor specific oil, either reciprocating for a piston unit or rotary for a screw compressor. I have both btw. I use Mobil Rarus reciprocating compressor oil in the piston units and mineral oil in the rotary.

More water is not entrained. -- The water is inherent in the air. Compress an amt of air and it will hold less water at its original temperature. Water falls out of the compressed air cooling back to its original T in the tank. More water falls out if its compressed more/ higher pressure.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Let nip this tangent in the bud. Lol. It's been my experience that discussions of physics or physical chemistry go incredibly poorly on TBN. (remember the last 3pt ballast thread? :banghead
But point taken from both of you. :thumbsup:

 

[5030]

Let nip this tangent in the bud. Lol. It's been my experience that discussions of physics or physical chemistry go incredibly poorly on TBN. (remember the last 3pt ballast thread? :banghead
But point taken from both of you. :thumbsup:

The techinical aspect of moisture in my air supply really don't mean squat to me. Everything gets drained daily and what isn't automatic is manual anyway. What I'm alluding to is lack of condensate removal and what happens to the receiver... it eventually rusts out. I've seen more than a few compressors outlive their receivers.

 

[5030]

I figured there would be some piping involved since I wouldn't want to work standing next to that thing. It ain't gonna be quiet.

me, I kind of like the sound of a reciprocating compressor, especially a big one, chugging along. Rotaries whine and hum, not at all pleasing to the ear.

 

[5030]

Let nip this tangent in the bud. Lol. It's been my experience that discussions of physics or physical chemistry go incredibly poorly on TBN. (remember the last 3pt ballast thread? :banghead
But point taken from both of you. :thumbsup:

That thread, the one I removed from my subscribed threads list. I remember well. Too many Einsteins and not enough practical applicators.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Ya, I was really surprised how inoffensive the compressor is. I may sing a different tune at the end of a long day but I usually have hearing protection/music on anyway.

 

[5030]

Ya, I was really surprised how inoffensive the compressor is. I may sing a different tune at the end of a long day but I usually have hearing protection/music on anyway.

My big one is a Saylor-Beal pressure lubricated 2 stage, inter cooled and after cooled, 15 horse and it runs slow. Makes a nice steady chuga-chug sound. Very pleasant to listen too. I got it used and rebuilt it, must be 50 years old.

 

[murphy1244]

My big one is a Saylor-Beal pressure lubricated 2 stage, inter cooled and after cooled, 15 horse and it runs slow. Makes a nice steady chuga-chug sound. Very pleasant to listen too. I got it used and rebuilt it, must be 50 years old.

What do you need with all that air for?