air compressors & accessories

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I have an old air compressor at my house, I don't even know the brand because any labels have peeled off or faded beyond recognition. Anyway, I can't find a drain for moisture on it anywhere, but when I use it I always get a good amount of water spraying out. Lately I've been thinking about using a spray gun to paint my car, but I obviously cant spray any paint with water getting mixed in it. What do you guys do/suggest? I saw some air/water separators at harbor freight, but are they even worth the trouble, or should I look for something else?

[bravekozak]

The drain plug should be at the lowest point on the tank.
Look again. I don't think they would make a compressor without a drain plug.

[Flyin4stroke]

Regardless if you find the drain or not you have to use a air/water separator. They sell ones that are like $8 and they go on the inlet for air on the gun that are 1 times use that will work. Or get a good one that you can reuse. If water mixes with your paint you will get poor results.

[lessersivad]

Regardless if you find the drain or not you have to use a air/water separator. They sell ones that are like $8 and they go on the inlet for air on the gun that are 1 times use that will work. Or get a good one that you can reuse. If water mixes with your paint you will get poor results.

Also, if you get a canister type air/water seperator DO NOT mount it to the compressor. Try to get it as close to the point of use as you can. That way the air will have a chance to cool and the moisture will condense, allowing the seperator to collect the water.

Hope this helps.

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I definately would have mounted it at the compressor if you guys had not said something, thanks. Kinda like stuffing galleys with petroleum jelly to prime the oil pump, nobody said anything so it didn't get done!

Is there anything else I should know? It's not getting done tomorrow, but soon, very soon.

I need one I can clean and reuse, that's the biggest pita with painting, evrything is one time use and you have to wait between coats and colors and primer and clear so you need 50 of each one time use thing. I've got a lot of painting to do...

[bravekozak]

Get a drain bung welded on or get a compressor on eBay.
I always get mine from Buffalo. I have the advantage of local pickup and can bid on skids.

[lessersivad]

I would opt for something like this for the separator;

http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-PA2121-Standard-Filters/dp/B0000CBINA/ref=pd_cp_hi_3

If you have a Tractor Supply store nearby they should also carry the same thing.

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I was thinking about drilling a hole and welding a 3/8" NPT coupling on it and putting a ball valve on, but it just sounds like too much work.



Thanks for the link, ill check out tsc and compare prices. I need a pressure regulator too, I bought the harbor freight one but it doesn't work, its more of an on/off valve..

[lessersivad]

I was thinking about drilling a hole and welding a 3/8" NPT coupling on it and putting a ball valve on, but it just sounds like too much work.



Thanks for the link, ill check out tsc and compare prices. I need a pressure regulator too, I bought the harbor freight one but it doesn't work, its more of an on/off valve..

Welding the coupling wouldn't be too difficult, just time consuming if you have a leak at the weld. You really need to get the water out of the tank. If it's not removed the separator is going to need emptied a lot more often. Along with the rust that it causes inside the tank and a decrease in capacity of the stored compressed air.

If you need a regulator also, I wouldn't advise doing what I did. I bought 2 from Sears that had the regulator/filter all built as a unit. The regulator part started acting up after a few years and the parts to repair weren't available.

I have an older regulator attached to a stand alone separator that I've had in service for approx. 30 years and no problems. But if I did have a problem I could simply change the regulator or separator.

Again, just my 2¢.

[georgeb]

I just have a $100 Sears compressor with drain. No separator. Used it for my $20 paint job. No water spots.

[Larry Hampton]

You don't say what style or size of compressor.

You do not want to weld on your tank, especially if its old and filled with water for a long period of time. You should be certified to weld pressure vessels in order to weld on your tank.

Google "air compressor tank explosion" if you doubt me.

You should also not run PVC air lines in your shop or garage because if it breaks it fragments real bad like a grenade. OSHA does not allow it and the manufacturers tell you not to do it. PVC is not rated for compressed gases.

I have actually witnessed on of these failures on a 2" line, a 6" long dagger of a shard flew 60' across the shop and embedded in the wall at head height. Passed about 10' behind my buddies head as we were talking.

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I'm not worried about it blowing out, it's in a back room by itself and would have to go through 2 walls before it hit anyone unless you were standing right next to it. Definately not concerned about my welds anyway, you don't have to be certified to know how to penetrate, ask my fiance..duduhksh


My compressor holds about 150lbs, other than that I can't tell you who made it or the cfm's it puts out, more than enough for painting and breaking bolts with an impact though.

[Larry Hampton]

Well then put me in your will for all your tools and Festivas.

I can weld great, but I'm not welding on a pressure vessel, it can go thru walls or floors.

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Don't sweat it, I doubt I'm going to do anything with it. I would if I had time to mess with it, but I don't get enough time at the house to do that and everything else that needs done. There just isn't enough hours in a day.

[Larry Hampton]

I hear ya, kids got me a 80 gallon 6hp compressor from Sam's a few years ago, 175psi, it's all I need.