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  #1  
Old 10-30-2013, 12:50 PM
ToadMan8 ToadMan8 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 48
Default Improving my compressed air system, seeking advice on crazy ideas

I have a 4CFM, 4 gallon compressor in an outbuilding that I currently pipe in to my workshop (quieter that way). I have another 3CFM 1.2 gallon compressor sitting around.

My goals are:
  • Reduce recovery time of system
  • Add regulated drop (for rivet gun) and full-pressure drop (for other tools)
  • Maybe remove water and / or add oil to system

My thoughts to accomplish this:
  • Add second compressor to the same system, using both when working on heavy air usage jobs, and just one when doing the occasional job
  • Possibly add an air storage tank in the rafters so the system as a whole has more capacity
  • Adding a drier and / or oiler
  • Installing fixed tubing instead of using all rubber hoses like I am now

Questions for y'all:
  • Copper, galvanized steel, or black steel pipe? (PVC explodes, and flex stuff is semi-permanent, at best, I hear)
  • Will two compressors connected to one system cause problems?
  • Does the drier and / or oiler make sense?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
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  #2  
Old 10-30-2013, 01:15 PM
lorne green lorne green is offline
 
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Location: Oliver, B.C. Canada (Okanagan valley)
Posts: 786
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Galvanized pipe is best. Copper will work fine. Black pipe rusts over time.
Two compressors in to one large holding tank would work well.
Adding an oiler would trash the lines for future painting with an air gun.
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  #3  
Old 10-30-2013, 01:27 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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You probably dont want to hear this, but you really need to upgrade to a bigger compressor ---------- while you can gang the two you have, it will never be anywhere what a single good compressor will be.
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  #4  
Old 10-30-2013, 01:58 PM
ToadMan8 ToadMan8 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oxford, OH
Posts: 48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike S View Post
You probably dont want to hear this, but you really need to upgrade to a bigger compressor ---------- while you can gang the two you have, it will never be anywhere what a single good compressor will be.
Besides capacity, one of the biggest frustrations I'm having with the current set-up is that the compressor I have (http://amzn.com/B00005NMUZ) HATES to start when it's cold. I have to cycle the thermal reset a bunch of times until it's up to temp, then it works great. Do the two-stage compressors do better in sub-freezing temperatures? If so, this may compel me to upgrade more than capacity...
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  #5  
Old 10-30-2013, 02:31 PM
John R. Graham John R. Graham is offline
 
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Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 88
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It's not the single-stage vs. two-stage attribute that makes your current compressor not like the cold. I'll bet you that it's direct drive, isn't it? A larger compressor will essentially always be belt driven. A little slip during start doesn't hurt anything.

- John
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  #6  
Old 10-30-2013, 03:00 PM
dweyant dweyant is offline
 
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Location: 07TS
Posts: 472
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I just talked with Mike at Cleveland tools last week about running lines into a new shop/hanger.

He suggested this system:
http://www.rapidairproducts.com/rapidair.asp

They should arrive today, it will be a few weeks until I can report back, but he had great things to say about the setup.

-Dan
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  #7  
Old 10-30-2013, 03:22 PM
Sam Buchanan's Avatar
Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
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Location: North Alabama
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ToadMan8 View Post
I have a 4CFM, 4 gallon compressor in an outbuilding that I currently pipe in to my workshop (quieter that way). I have another 3CFM 1.2 gallon compressor sitting around.

My goals are:
  • Reduce recovery time of system
  • Add regulated drop (for rivet gun) and full-pressure drop (for other tools)
  • Maybe remove water and / or add oil to system

My thoughts to accomplish this:
  • Add second compressor to the same system, using both when working on heavy air usage jobs, and just one when doing the occasional job
  • Possibly add an air storage tank in the rafters so the system as a whole has more capacity
  • Adding a drier and / or oiler
  • Installing fixed tubing instead of using all rubber hoses like I am now

Questions for y'all:
  • Copper, galvanized steel, or black steel pipe? (PVC explodes, and flex stuff is semi-permanent, at best, I hear)
  • Will two compressors connected to one system cause problems?
  • Does the drier and / or oiler make sense?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
For $500 you can have a system far superior to what you are considering and large enough for any job, including painting your plane, that you might consider:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-...p#.UnF3zScufd4



Similar units are available under different brand names at other big box and equipment stores. I have one of these compressors and it has performed admirably. Mine is plumbed with an outlet straight off the tank and another running through a regulator. The die grinder gets tank pressure and the rivet gun is regulated.

I started out with a system driven with a much smaller compressor similar to what you are describing. In spite of the extra tanks, it couldn't keep up with a spray gun.



But the big boy is much better, wish I had it when the RV-6 project began.
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Last edited by Sam Buchanan : 10-30-2013 at 03:33 PM.
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  #8  
Old 10-30-2013, 03:50 PM
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larrynew larrynew is offline
 
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Location: In New Braunfels, ist das Leben schön!
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Here's one way to do it. It's been working just fine for several years. I currently have two medium 110v compressors on the system which gives me about 14cfm which has been plenty for painting. More details on my blog page.

http://larrys-airplane.blogspot.com/...d-for-air.html

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  #9  
Old 10-30-2013, 04:03 PM
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rv7boy rv7boy is offline
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Location: Austinville, Alabama
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The comment about galvanized pipe for compressed is "always best" is not "always" correct. By designing the system with adequate condensate drains and easily maintained filters, regular black steel (ASTM A53) is preferred over galvanized for 3" NPS or smaller. Over time, the galvanic coating can flake off causing more contamination and corrosion problems than non-galvanized (black) steel piping.

Consult a piping design manual or a pipe designer before choosing your piping material.
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Last edited by rv7boy : 10-30-2013 at 07:57 PM.
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  #10  
Old 10-30-2013, 07:53 PM
BillL BillL is online now
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
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Sorry, but yes, you need a bigger compressor. It will serve you well. Tools are to be used to accomplish work, not struggled with. Larger compressor and tank will stay cooler and not spit water on your work.

Shop well, and you can find specials on a 60gal ingersoll upright around $1000 at times.

The rapid air system is nice, installs cleanly and quickly. It is only 150 psi though. If you ever get a 2 stage system it will operate at 175 psi. It is not good to step down and depend on it not failing.

I have black pipe in my system for 20 years, and keep pressure on it all the time, I mean 8760 hours per year. I had to chase every threaded joint and used permatex aviation #3 for the sealer. The leak rate is so low that it will sit 40 days without cycling if not used. It is beginning to spit rust flakes. If (when) I make another, the plan is to use hard copper and appropriate structural solder. (175 psi system). I saw a Delphi electronics factory with a copper system and it was beautiful.

Happy building.
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