What Filter Am I Missing?

[geoffsurf]

This is the regulator I have, there is no other regulator on my compressor. I have just bought an expensive new air tool but I'm still really confused as to what filter I should be running off the compressor before I use it.

Toolstation and Sealey etc sell either a filter regulator or a filter regulator lubricator. Can you not buy just the filter? Is a water trap different to a filter? Is the filter for water, dust or oil? I went to my local motor factor place where everybody buys today to try and find out what I need but I'm still not sure.

This is a picture of my regulator, there is a screw valve on the bottom of the long tube to release the water. Sorry lots of threads and lots of questions I'm posting, but I'm slowly learning and trying to get the correct kit organised.

 

[the snooper]

yes that is a filter as it filters out the water
as for an oiler if you intend to spray paint with you air hose then dont use an oiler on the compressor its self you can always get som air tool oil and drop in a couple of drops into the air coupling on the tool before each use

 

[geoffsurf]

Ok cool. So this large filter on my regulator is the same as a filter regulator that you would buy from toolstation/sealey? Aren't they supposed to open in order to change or clean the filter at all?

Ok I will probably use a few drops of oil in the air tool till I get a seperate air line.

 

[pedrobedro]

It's not a filter it's a trap, the water falls into the bottom of the trap as it is heavier than air and you open the valve at the bottom to release it.

 

[geoffsurf]

How does a filter work compared to a water trap? Are you about to buy a filter alone or does it always have to be with a regulator?

 

[pedrobedro]

The air is leaving the regulator slower than it is coming in as the pressure drops. The water is heavier than air so it falls to the bottom of the trap or condenses. A filter is a mesh to trap particles and hold them but there should be none in the air from the compressor and if water was held higher up it could be carried through the regulator.

 

[eil]

You can certainly can get a filter/trap without a regulator on it.

 

[the snooper]

you already have what you need have a look at this part of the forum

 

[brightspark]

This is the regulator I have, there is no other regulator on my compressor. I have just bought an expensive new air tool but I'm still really confused as to what filter I should be running off the compressor before I use it.

Toolstation and Sealey etc sell either a filter regulator or a filter regulator lubricator. Can you not buy just the filter? Is a water trap different to a filter? Is the filter for water, dust or oil? I went to my local motor factor place where everybody buys today to try and find out what I need but I'm still not sure.

This is a picture of my regulator, there is a screw valve on the bottom of the long tube to release the water. Sorry lots of threads and lots of questions I'm posting, but I'm slowly learning and trying to get the correct kit organised.

the one u have is a filter regulator. built in water trap with an air filter inside which stops crap getting in to your airline

 

[geoffsurf]

Thanks for your replies everybody. I phoned Devilbiss today and they said that this item was about 25-30 years old! They very kindly emailed me a copy of the exploded diagram for this item. I didn't think the item came apart but it does. I losened the bolt at the bottom and took it apart. There is a filter it appears, I have put a photo of it below. Inside there was quite a lot of oil and dirt, almost in the form of grease!

I am now considering what to do, I don't know if this filter is so old that a much cheaper modern one would do a better job or whether to clean it and continue with it?

1. Is it worth buying another inline filter without regulator or just easier to get a new filter regulator?

2. Is there any difference in buying an expensive brand or is one for £20 from Screwfix fine? I don't have any compressed air places around here, so would have to order one off the internet otherwise. Any recommendations?

 

[brightspark]

Thanks for your replies everybody. I phoned Devilbiss today and they said that this item was about 25-30 years old! They very kindly emailed me a copy of the exploded diagram for this item. I didn't think the item came apart but it does. I losened the bolt at the bottom and took it apart. There is a filter it appears, I have put a photo of it below. Inside there was quite a lot of oil and dirt, almost in the form of grease!

I am now considering what to do, I don't know if this filter is so old that a much cheaper modern one would do a better job or whether to clean it and continue with it?

1. Is it worth buying another inline filter without regulator or just easier to get a new filter regulator?

2. Is there any difference in buying an expensive brand or is one for £20 from Screwfix fine? I don't have any compressed air places around here, so would have to order one off the internet otherwise. Any recommendations?

just clean the filter that u have .as long as i doesnt fall to bits i had a simlar broomwade one with identical filter but mine was past cleaning and fell to bits will be well worth using .the newer ones arent any better

 

[the snooper]

i agree with brightspark give it a light clean then try it if you dont get water from the air line all is good

if it aint broken dont fix it
also if its a devilbiss then you have a good filter and probably much better then a cheap new one

 

[geoffsurf]

Cool thanks, I will try and get it all cleaned up tomorrow. Since I got the good advice flowing:

1. The insert air filter on top of the compressor pump that draws air into the tank on my compressor seems to have been lost and they have put a piece of rectangular cloth in the plastic air filter. I went to my motor factors and they had a piece of foam from another one that fits. Is it normally a piece of foam?

2. I read a post where someone was recommending at least 10mm diameter rubber air line for compressors. Toolstation and Screwfix sell cheap air lines but they are 8mm. What size air lines do you guys run?

 

[the snooper]

my compressor air filter is a paper element in a plastic housing
yea i got an airline from screwfix its not too bad good enough for spraying but if you are using any tools with a high cfm usage the tool might suffer from lack of air a little

 

[brightspark]

Cool thanks, I will try and get it all cleaned up tomorrow. Since I got the good advice flowing:

1. The insert air filter on top of the compressor pump that draws air into the tank on my compressor seems to have been lost and they have put a piece of rectangular cloth in the plastic air filter. I went to my motor factors and they had a piece of foam from another one that fits. Is it normally a piece of foam?

2. I read a post where someone was recommending at least 10mm diameter rubber air line for compressors. Toolstation and Screwfix sell cheap air lines but they are 8mm. What size air lines do you guys run?

cheap intake filters can be made from scotch pads i light coating of thin oill on them as well .10mm airline is best used especialy in long runs and using airtools . then put a quick coupling on the end then use 8mm short tails to your airtools ect euro fittings are best used on the main10mm pipe then the finale one pcl fittings

 

[geoffsurf]

I have put a photo below of what is now in the plastic air filter. I don't think it is very effective, especially as my garage is quite dusty. I had to soak and scrub the plastic casing, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. What is scotch pad?

I am going to be running mostly tools rather than spraying and one of them is a belt sander which eats air so, probably want to get the right set up now. Why do you recommend using euro fittings, is it because of the size or something? Also won't having a piece of 8mm hose at the end take away the advantage of the bulk of the air line being 10mm?

Do you know anywhere that sells 10mm air line at a decent price. It will only be for hobby use.

 

[brightspark]

I have put a photo below of what is now in the plastic air filter. I don't think it is very effective, especially as my garage is quite dusty. I had to soak and scrub the plastic casing, it looked like it hadn't been cleaned in a long time. What is scotch pad?

I am going to be running mostly tools rather than spraying and one of them is a belt sander which eats air so, probably want to get the right set up now. Why do you recommend using euro fittings, is it because of the size or something? Also won't having a piece of 8mm hose at the end take away the advantage of the bulk of the air line being 10mm?

Do you know anywhere that sells 10mm air line at a decent price. It will only be for hobby use.

a short tail at 8mm wont afect airtools but over a long distance it all adds up to a loss in volume not pressure . eurofittings are a larger diameter bore than pcl heres mine

 

[eil]

[ but over a long distance it all adds up to a loss in volume not pressure

Should that mean volume and pressure, Dependant on whats consuming it on the end of your line of course.

 

[brightspark]

[ but over a long distance it all adds up to a loss in volume not pressure

Should that mean volume and pressure, Dependant on whats consuming it on the end of your line of course.

yes a typing error it was late in the evening

 

[geoffsurf]

Back to square one! I took the filter apart to clean and tried to undo one of the components, it sheared and now I can't put the filter back properly. Really annoyed as I thought I was starting to make progress.

I guess I am now going to have to buy a new filter regulator. What is considered a good brand of filtre regulator to buy?