plasma air dryer

[vjeko]

I've looked at the U.S. web site weldingweb and there it's made very clear that
an air dryer is a big advantage if not a necessity for a plasma (some are using
cheap refrigeration units from Harbor Freight - 250EUR) -was wondering what
you guys are using (since I'm closer to UK) and approx prices - good source if
they export.

Over here in Croatia, I'm basically offered refrigeration units (Kaeser/Parker and
some cheaper Italian models) which cost 650EUR - 1000EUR + fine filter
(another 200EUR) .

 

[malcolm]

They can get a bit over-excited on the US forums sometimes.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/air-system.htm is about filtering air for paint, but it's a lot cheaper than a refrigeration unit and might be worth a look. Something simple like this photo will probably remove 80% of water:

 

[vjeko]

Malcolm, thanks for the info ! - I'll give this type of setup a go before further
spending .

Just not clear on one thing - is 7 m of copper pipe enough / can I use eg
spiraled pipe in the vertical section so as not to have such long horizontal sections of pipe?

The copper pipe- is this the standard water pipe ? (now I need to learn how to
join copper pipe )

 

[astro_al]

vjeko - I'm just setting up my air system for dryness. I recommend you google 'franzinator' for a cheap way to dry air (much like above, but with more detail).

The cheaper tool shops here in the UK don't have the large range of things that they have in Harbor freight etc in the US, so we don't really have an equivalent cheap air dryer. Sadly.

Apart from several franzinators and all-metal piping with vertical drops with drains at the bottom, I am using a normal fridge with copper piping coiled inside (in a water bath), the cooling element of the fridge is then placed in the water with the copper pipe. You then need another drain immediately afterwards.

Put the franzinators immediately after the compressor (preferably before the tank), it works best on a maximum temperature differential. I'm using several in parallel as I need a decent flow rate, two sets in series, then into the fridge-dryer, then through filters etc as needed.

Good luck, Al.

 

[vjeko]

Malcolm and Al,
could you just help me out regarding the piping - if going for copper,
I googled around and see I would need to braze the copper pipe/joints
(and I need to ask for hard copper pipe).

I don't have an oxy just gas bottle and am getting an AC/DC TIG soon
- what is the best bet - TIGging / cutting it all up and getting someone with
an oxy to put it together(not sure how much I would need an oxy torch if I
have a plasma and TIG nor how expensive they are) OR /other alternatives ?
Maybe stupid questions from a newbie

A few years back I asked my plumber to put some pipes through a wall
for air and I think he used zinc plated water pipes.

EDIT - getting ahead of myself(eager to get to work) - read a bit about the
Franzinator and it's clear that iron pipes would be best
- if I weld, would it be "black seamless pipe" -I see it under gas pipes in some shop web sites here ?
- if not welded, then the zinc plated water pipe is OK - right ?
But please fill me in on the copper pipe anyway/can I use compression fittings ?