Air compressor fittings.

[vr4_rider]

Hey, guys. I tried searching this by typing in compressor kits, materials needed for compressor, compressor fittings, etc. I can't find what other things besides the compressor and gun I need to start painting (and paint of course..ha).

I just hooked up my 60 gall 3.7running hp 13.8cfm@40 Kobalt air compressor. But...I don't have any way to contain the air from escaping the hole on the side..lol.

From what I read so far, I need:

1) Fittings (I read something about high pressure??)
2) The hose. What size and should I get the ones that coil up, or the ones that I have to coil up myself?
3) Some sort of filter? A QC3? Anything else you guys would recommend?

I'm going to be using a finishline 4 and a Tekna Prolite gun.

Thank you and I will continue my search for answers in the meantime!

TP

Here's a pic of my garage that I will be painting in if anyone cares..haha.

[Len]

You can run a 1/2" ID galvanized pipe from your compressor to the wall, up the wall to about a foot from the ceiling, around the room then drop down to a couple of feet above the floor. About 5 feet off the floor put a "T" where you will mount a regulator and on the regulator will be a coupling or two where you can attach your air hose. Where the pipe drops close to the floor put a bleeder valve (also available at a plumbing supply) where you can drain off water periodically. The pipe from the compressor to the drop should be tilted so that water that condenses runs back to the compressor where it also can be drained periodically. The only special fittings you need are the couplings on the regulator and the coupling and stem on your air hose.

mils1.jpg
Fittings Link

atd8209.jpg
Inexpensive Hose Link

devhar602.jpg
Good Regulator Link

[vr4_rider]

Thanks for the reply, Len. I won't be running any piping because I only have a simple 1-car garage.

What size hoses do you recommend? 1/4"? 3/8"? 1/2"? I am going to use my air compressor to spray off dust, run power tools such as
a DA sander, paint cars using a Finishline 4 and Tekna Prolite, and filling up tires on bikes and cars.

I watched this video. Starts at 4.14:



So that is exactly how I want to set it up. I don't want to run pipes along my garage; I only have a 1 car garage.

A few questions, though.

1) What size hoses do you recommend? 1/4"? 3/8"? 1/2"? I am going to use my air compressor to spray off dust, run power tools such as a DA sander, paint cars using a Finishline 4 and Tekna Prolite, and filling up tires on bikes and cars.

I know rsok said people are running "high flow" fittings (I still don't know what that is vs regular fittings haha) and 1/2" but is 1/2" overkill for my needs? I guess I don't know the benefits of 3/8" vs 1/2".

2) I didn't see they put in a strain relief? Where does that go?

3) Where would I put an air filter/dryer in relation to where the shutoff kit is located in the video?

Sorry for the newb questions!

[vr4_rider]

I think I got it...

So, install shut off to the compressor outlet.

Then attach the pipe nipple to the shut off.

Then install Finishline filter/regulator.

Then install reducer to Finishline filter/regulator.

Then install coupler to the reducer.

Then install hose (still don't know what size is recommended for me).

Is that right?

[Bob K]

My opinion here, go with a single 3/8” hose. It will come with ¼ inch fittings but deliver enough air for what you want to do. As for high flow fittings, that’s a way to go if you are comfortable paying the extra cost for them. They come into play when the pressure on your supply line runs low. If your compressor is big enough to give you the amount of air you need at say 90 psi then high flow fittings aren’t needed. If you use air at a rate that your compressor can barley keep up then high flow fittings will not add further restriction to your air supply and you may be able to squeak by.

Bob K

[vr4_rider]

Thank you, Bob! I think I will settle with a 3/8". In general, don't the professional/licensed (mechanic and paint) shops use 1/2"?

On average, I will probably use my air compressor once a month, if that. In the winter, probably won't use it at all. In the summer, I will 1-2 times a month.

I think I went overboard with this painting hobby. But, I'm at the point of no return...haha. Oh well, I'll use everything more once I am out of school! But I will have fun painting. I just need to get the little tidbits worked out then it will be smooth sailing! Oh yeah!!

[Bob K]

We only used the ½” air hose for ¾” impact wrenches on dump truck tires and dozer track pads and such. Nothing like you would ever do at home. They are too stiff to handle on a daily basis. No fun to use.

Bob K

[vr4_rider]

I just bought a 3/8"x50ft GoodYear rubber hose for $19 from a local family owned business. I was able to support the local business and got a good deal! Can't beat that.

Bob, what do you recommend for a dryer? Is a dryer and a filter the same thing? People write "dryer/filter"...does that mean they are the same thing (just different name) or you can get a dryer OR a filter?

Is it a good idea to get a filter and a regulator in one, such as this:

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=FAR

or this:

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=FAR

or this:

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=FAR

How are these three different and which one is preferred?

Thanks!

[vr4_rider]

I will be using the air compressor maybe 5 times a year...yeah, like I said--I think I went overboard with such a big compressor but I need it for my spray guns...lol.

I am reading people saying to run at least 20-20 feet of piping to allow water to drain back into the compressor...I live in a duplex and have a attached 1-car garage. Am I really going to have a water issue when it's time for me to paint if I don't have 20-25 feet of piping?

[Len]

I will be using the air compressor maybe 5 times a year...yeah, like I said--I think I went overboard with such a big compressor but I need it for my spray guns...lol.

I am reading people saying to run at least 20-20 feet of piping to allow water to drain back into the compressor...I live in a duplex and have a attached 1-car garage. Am I really going to have a water issue when it's time for me to paint if I don't have 20-25 feet of piping?

The QC3 should eliminate any possible water problems because it's a desiccant filter.

dev130525.jpg

[another2centsworth]

With this kinda work you never overkill in buying the compressor or having one "too big". Always go bigger. 8)

I have a one bay stall not counting work and prep area. I have the hardlines with down legs and glad I did.

[vr4_rider]

Hey, guys!

It was my last night to get everything done before school starts; I didn't finish...I shoulda bought another 10' section of copper piping!

I guess I was afraid of running the piping, but it really is easy! I bought all push-connet (GatorBite) fittings...damn those things are expensive..haha.

I think I will have a pretty good set up for my itty bitty garage. I will have over 25' of 1/2 copper (type L) piping before my dryer/filter/regulator.

I'll post a pic once I'm all done

[another2centsworth]

When I broke in my porter/cable years ago the manual said to run it no load for 30 minutes then let it cool down. I changed the oil and that was the break in procedure. I change oil twice a yr. First of Spring and first of Winter. Just a thought. Also BTW I have used the 'V-style' Milton hi-flo fittings for years now. I like them because of the HI-FLOW and they push lock when hooking them up.

[frostje]

I have the finishline devillbiss har602, it works good, but also see that it is filtration of only 5 microns. If you look at the cheap harbor freight ones(dryers) they are 40 microns allowable. The cheaper you go the more amount of dirt and contamination you might run into. I think after this I might also buy len's qc3 cam air. That seems like it goes down to .01 microns filtered. That would be amazing, as it stands now, I get very little to almost no dirt in my sprayouts. Use an enclosed garage with good lighting , good filtration and a good exhaust and you should be fine. Air pressure movement from the outside is what causes dirt to move around. I limit that as much as possible. And also make sure the you use good breathing aparatus. I think the filter masks are ok, but would like to get that portable breathing system. After a while in a booth , you may just want one.