Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks,
Wonder if anyone out there has experience setting up an air compressor with the proper filtration for running sanders and a blowgun. I've got a 60 Gal. Porter Cable Oil-Lubricated unit that is in the garage, I'd like to install an airline to the basement shop. My main concern, beyond merely protecting the tools, is oil vapors contaminating the air in the house. Any thoughts?

A couple of inline filters will do the job just fine - mine is a cast iron cylinder oil piston, I have a filter right at the control valve on the compressor, then another at the other end of the line in each shop - works fine.

_________________
Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Tony,
Can I ask you what brand/type/spec filters are you using? This is what is most confusing to me. There seem to be an awful lot of products out there and many are quite expensive. I want good quality stuff, but I don't want to waste cash on overkill either.

I've use filters similar to these.
http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-PA2121-Standard-Filters/dp/B0000CBINA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326241755&sr=8-1

I've got one at my compressor, and one in my shop. If your compressor is outside, or where it can freeze you'll need to have the filter inside. Another problem that causes alot of moisture is when the compressor is outside, or somewhere it's really hot, but your shop is air conditioned and cool. When the hot air cools off moisture will condense. Oil usually isn't much of a problem except for finishing.

I use one of these, but only in my finishing booth.
http://www.amazon.com/QC3-3-Stage-Filter-Dryer-Unit/dp/B002PR8ZXK/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1326242057&sr=1-3-catcorr

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Thanks for the info. I went with the Sharpe 705FC. I'm still getting a little odor of oil coming through but not nearly as bad as before. I'm going to try adding an exhaust line to my sander and venting it outside just to be safe. If that doesn't work out I might try and adsorber.

Oil vapors from a oil lubed compressor usually isn't a problem for anything except finishing. (or a supplied air respirator that uses compressed air) Air tools, like you sander require some oil. Most should be oiled (with oil made specifically for air tools) through the inlet daily. I actually use an in line oiler for my automotive tools. If you're getting an odor just by using a tool I suspect it's either mold or mildew (I get the 2 confused) inside the tank. Reguardless of compressor type (oil lubed or oilless) you need to drain you tank daily. Perhaps even more often in high humidity areas.

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/