Thread: How do I set the regulator for my finishing gun

Baz,
My guess is the regulator you refer to, is in fact the pressure switch. Whilst these can be adjusted, most of them, cheaper ones particularly, will adjust both cut in and cut-out pressure up or down similtaneously. Not too crash hot for you.

What you need, assuming I'm correct, is a fair dinkum regulator, from your friendly air tool, hardware, Bunnings, Mitre 10 etc.

You place this in the delivery line, usually directly from the receiver tank, (although I have air lines running everywhere and have three separate ones) with this you can change the pressure delivered to your tool.

If you get a regulator, I'd suggest one with a filter as well, most have these included. This will filter out all the water from the compressor, meaning your tools last longer.

Hi Outback,

Please see attached photo of my Compressor.
Two outlets.
One of which is regulated.

So the regulator is included ...


A better pic (200k) is at:
http://www.barrysumpter.com/pics/Performance%20Air.gif

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

I've got an air compressor which switches off at 8 bars.
40 Liter Performance Air.

I've got a finishing gun which requires regulated air from 4 to 7 bars.
T-64 16 Ga. Finish Nailer

Neither the instructions for the compress nor the finishing gun have instructions as how to set the regulator to 7 bars instead of 8.

Anyone have a hyperlink with instructions?

Barry,

The pressure at which the compresser switches off should have no effect on the pressure in the hose to your nail gun, spray gun or whatever. A proper regulator, which should include a water trap is where you adjust the pressure to your gun. For longevity of the gun if nothing else, the minimum workable pressure at the gun is what you should be aiming for. From the specs above that would seem to be at or above 4 bars. I suggest you start there and then work your way up as needed, rather than starting at 7 bars and working down or worse, leaving it at 7 bars.

In the picture you attached to your second post the regulator knob appears to be the one numbered 6 and the gauge is at number 5, but I'm sure you worked that one out.

HTH,

Mark.

Hi Duckman,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Excellent suggestion about starting at 4 instead of 7.

My instructions read:

NOTE: If you do not allow the air to discharge while your are setting the regulator, the pressure as indicated on the regulator outlet gauge will be incorrect. This gauge ONLY indicates the correct pressure while air is being discharge from the outlet.

End of instruction snippit.

Just had a flash as I was typing those instructions...

Perhaps I should attach the blower tool to the hose and adjust the regulator to 4 for the blower?

hmmmm ... that doesn't sound right either... :confused:

Originally Posted by barrysumpter

Hi Duckman,

Thanks for the quick reply.

Excellent suggestion about starting at 4 instead of 7.

My instructions read:

NOTE: If you do not allow the air to discharge while your are setting the regulator, the pressure as indicated on the regulator outlet gauge will be incorrect. This gauge ONLY indicates the correct pressure while air is being discharge from the outlet.

End of instruction snippit.

Just had a flash as I was typing those instructions...

Perhaps I should attach the blower tool to the hose and adjust the regulator to 4 for the blower?

hmmmm ... that doesn't sound right either... :confused:

Hi Barry,

I'm not sure I fully understand their instructions but in general, when you increase the pressure, the change should register immediately on the gauge, however when you decrease the pressure, the change won't register until you have expelled some air from the line. This means that increasing the pressure is just a matter of rotating the knob and watching the gauge, while decreasing to an accurate reading can only be achieved by trial and error. How you expel the air is neither here nor there. You can fire a few nail, use your blower tool, stick a nail punch in the end of the hose , it all works.

I have to go to the big, green shed shortly, so I've taken a note of the model number of your compressor and I'll look at one 'up close and personal' while I'm down there to arm myself with more knowledge.

HTH,

Mark.

From looking at your pic, I think you'll find that the knob to adjust the pressure, is number 6. The regulated pressure guage is number 8, whilst number 5 is the unregulated pressure guage. The last shows the pressure in the receiver, so keeping an eye on this will tell you what the actaul cut-in and cut-out pressures are.

Winding the regulator knob in or out will increase and decrease the pressure delivered. This pressure adjustment should be seen on the guage. When lowering the pressure a tiny hiss will be heard.

The bit in the instructions referring to the correct pressure being shown only whilst the attachment being in use is hard to explain but easy to demonstrate.

Hook your blower attachment up to the regulated line, let 'er rip, and watch the reading, it will drop noticebly. Now hook your nailer up and squeeze off a few rounds, probably no change at all, or at most a lil' pulse. So setting the pressure for a nailer whilst watching the regulator is not as important as much as a tool which runs continually, (like a spray gun).

As for what pressure is required, the main reason for adjusting is to allow for your nail to be flogged all the way in, but not right through your work piece. However if the instructions say don't go over 7 bars, then don't, cos' that would be dangerous.

Hope this helps, and doesn't confuse.

Hi Outback,

Acknowledged.

Thanks for the reply.

Picked up the moisture filter from bunnings for $13.

Have fitted it.

And will test all today.

"the main reason for adjusting is to allow for your nail to be flogged all the way in"

I have a depth adjustment on the finishing nailer.
Would that one be for fine adjustment and the regulator for course adjustments?



Will attempt regulation to 4 bars as per instructions in previous posts.

After which:
1) will place 5 drops of oil in air intake of finishing nailer
2) Triton Respirator in place - ear muffs and face sheild down
3) empty fire about 20 times to circulate oil

4) detach gun and load nails

5) with gun pointed away from myself or anything in close proximity
6) attach gun

7) at a 90 degree angle on the gun to workpiece
8) test fire nails into workpiece

9) course and find adjust as required

I'll post results to let everyone know how it goes.