Pneumatic Tools

[John Saxton]

As I have some air-driven tools which dont perform too well because of the capacity of my compressor I would like to pose a question to this forum particularly on the basis of determining the required volume or cfm needed to be able to use these tools.
I would like to get more use out of them and as they're an el-cheapo lot of indeterminate manufacture with no paperwork that went with them I would presume that then that the quality of said tools is such that I dont want to have to be changeing O-rings all the time but I would like to get some use more so out of the sander when using wet and dry
papers.
Cheers TIA http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[RETIRED]

Gooday.

John, air sanders, drills and grinders are exceptionally air greedy.

For domestic purposes minimum requirements for these are a 16 CFM compressor with a regulator set at 90PSI and even then you have to give it a rest every now and then to let it catch up.

For them to be used consistently over a long time you really need a large compressor that generally is used in industry. Typically about 60-70CFM.

Most air tools, even the el cheapos are generally pretty efficient in their air use.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[Shane Watson]

What Said!

Although since I have reduced the size of my operations I also had to reduce the capacity of my compressor from an industrial 3ph to a smaller single phase machine. Since I use air tools regulary i had the 'lack of enough air problems' to deal with. So what I have done is run two compressors connected in line. One compressor fills both tanks rather than running the two motors, although that would further improve the setup.
Its works but still, heavy use can run the two tanks down so it is neccessary to allow them to catch up... I only did this as I had two compressors, one was sitting doing nothing, so rather than see it start to detiorate I put it to use. I also run the air through 3 different filters. The first removes moisture, second removes the oil, the third is a desicant filter that should take any nasties left out of the air. Although I don't think the air would be breathable, this point has never been confirmed to me.

I have found air tools to be fairly relaible and cheap. I give them no maintance, no, not even the daily drop of oil that is required and yet they still give me relaible service day in and out. I have only ever had need to replace one sander in the last 7 years - the bearings finally gave in.. But it is still used as a back up machine when I get busy.. And of course the spray guns only get replaced because I drop them and they break! http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/biggrin.gif I have a bad habit of that.... http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/rolleyes.gif

Oh and on the no brand name tools - Just for interests sake, I have had no hassles from a no brand drill yet my father had nothing but hassle's with a well recognised brand of air drill... Not that, that really means anything...

Cheers




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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[John Saxton]

Thank-you ,Shane for your informed responses.
I thought that I was going to be up for some serious $$$ but thru your input I'll haunt the auctions til' I get a second compressor and run it in tandem as Shane has done.I guess it makes sense when considering the amount cfm required.
Ta and Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[RETIRED]

Gooday.

All that running 2 tanks does is increase the stored capacity not the CFM which is governed by the compressor head.

Shane, the air is breathable, just ask those that use a hooker (abelone diver type, not the other sort) http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[Shane Watson]

Hahaha.

Yeah thats right about the CFM. I just find using the two tanks you get more use due to the increased amount of air. Just gives me longer working time before I have to give it a rest..

I have been told so many conflicting stories about the air being breathable . Thats why I say I have never had it confirmed. But the cost of the Desicant filter alone makes me think it is doing the best possible job of removing all the nasties. I would think that those telling me I need different filters to make the air pure enough to breath would be after a sale, rather than providing accruate information..

Thanks mate!



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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[Iain]

, being ex air sea rescue and having used a hooker I can assue you the compressor is totally different having water lubrication and carbon rings. No nasties along the line.
Also had to be careful of motor placement so as not to suck in exhaust fumes from petrol motor.
This is the ones we used anyway.
Cheers.

[RETIRED]

Gooday.

Iain I stand corrected. The ones that I had seen used a normal Clisby head with a filter and driers in the lines.

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Ian () Robertson
"We do good turns every day"

[John Saxton]

When I mentioned implementing a second compressor it was with the thought in mind of using it in conjunction with a second compressor feeding in to a main air vessel to give me access thru reticulated outlets in the workshop currently under revamp.

In so saying that it will be some time until I have it in place,having to haunt the tool ads etc until I can find what I need.

Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif



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Johnno

[Iain]

Is the quality of air really an issue as divers are using 100% of the compressor supply and you are only talking about some residual air mixed with what you are normally breathing. Surely an hour on a freeway in peak hour would have to be worse for your health. In line filters would have to remove most of the nasties.
I just remembered JOhnno, didn't Autobarn have a special on, may still be current. I am sure I saw a compressor there (with tank).
Ebay may have something too but like you I enjoy a day out at clearing sales, it is amazing what you can find there. Last good find was a pouch full of chisels, all covered in surface rust and cleaned up well, all about an inch to two inches shorter than there original length but don't they hold an edge. $1.00.

[This message has been edited by Iain (edited 18 September 2000).]

[Shane Watson]

The quality of the air is only an issue if you don't want to be feeding unhealthies directly into your lungs.
But the main reason the filters are used ( at least in my workshop ) is to help achieve the best possible finish off the gun. I have sprayed hundreds of kitchens, many of which have recieved top awards. Without clean air, It would have been so much harder to achieve such a finish.
also using pnuematic tools - the cleaner the air the longer the tools will run and there will be less maintance needed.
Its all these little things, that help us make the bigger things easier http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/biggrin.gif

Cheers



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Shane Watson..

Combine Love & Skill & You Can Expect A Masterpiece!

[Rod Smith]

Hi Guys. I no little about the safety of compressor air for breathing (as for hooker line etc), but did do a fair bit of diving years ago using a hooker set up. I recall my friend (who is knowledgeable on this stuff) who owned the compressor saying that synthetic oil had to be used in the crank case to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The filter you speak of may negate this? Shouldn't be to hard to find out if you did want to breath it. I know a tech guy in the breathable air industry if you want further info at any time. See ya, Rod

[John Saxton]

Iain,We have here in Perth a very large machinery specialist dalled Bills which is reputed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere.
In so saying that, you do almost need a passport, the place is so big, just acres and acres of all sorts of gear and if failing all other options I will resort to spending a day up there looking for what I need.
In his sheds alone you'd be battlin' to swing a cat full o' and still touch the sides.Man o Man has this guy got some gear!!
Hey and I'm willin' to go as far as $1.50 for the chisels.
Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 18 September 2000).]

[Iain]

Perth is a fair haul for a day isn't it, I haven't been there for a while and I do not know what the roads are like anymore.
Ozito, I have a ROS which some B***** gave me but I let my daughter use it so thats OK.
I also have a planer which someone else thought I would like, it works and for the amount of use it gets I figure it may be OK. They cost $49.00 and come with a two year replacement warranty, I have the receipt and the warranty stapled together in my warranty file and like a friend of mine in the hardware business says, these companies rely heavily on people losing their receipts..Not I.
Still love the Festo......have you got yours yet and if so how is it going. I found it took a couple of days to get used to because of the shape of the unit, it is not like a conventional sander. I do not use the side handle but prefer to hold the head and the long part of the body. Also took me a couple of days to work out that the switch is a hair trigger arrangement for release, jus touch the back with your thumb to release if you have not found this out already, it does not have to be slide off as it is on.
Really need that DC with it though or live in a sawdust fog. http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

[brettdel]

When we were pulling down our old house I discovered 2 stainless steel kegs, it had been a renter for years, the better half wanted me to turf them but I put them away cause you always need things like this later http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/rolleyes.gif . Got them out a couple of months ago - drilled and tapped them and am using them as pressure vessels. Makes doing any work a bit of a chore though with that sweet smell of hops in the workshop http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/biggrin.gif

brett

[This message has been edited by brettdel (edited 19 September 2000).]

[John Saxton]

Hey Brett,it sounds like the sweet smell of success for you,but I'm afraid it wouldn't suit me you see, as I have a large beer fridge next door to the workshop and one whiff for me and it would be down tools much to er' indoors chagrin!
Iain, the Festo has become the new love in my life particularly after caressing several timber surfaces but for all it's good points and much more time in employing all it's good points there comes a time when sanity prevails.You're right in pointing out this is a beautiful machine to handle.But you do worry me about usin' hookers for a bit of suck and see,I mean you give the impression of being a well adjusted family man.

Cheers http://ubb.ubeaut.com.au/ubb/smile.gif

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Johnno

[This message has been edited by John Saxton (edited 24 September 2000).]