Probably going to get a small 20 gallon single stage. One thing that I don't understand is how to keep moisture out of the tank and out of the outlet for using a spray gun for painting or powder coating. Any tips on accessories very much appreciated.

Make sure the compressor has enough output to run the gun you will use. Oil-less compressors are very noisy and not as durable. A regulator-drier should solve your moisture problems. I don't think you can keep the moisture out of the tank but there should be a drain valve at the bottom which you can open to drain it. The regulator-drier keeps the moisture out of the air line. If you are going to buy this today you aren't allowing much time for the responses you will probably get.

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
... A regulator drier should solve your moisture problems.

Ah, regulator drier, I didn't know the terminology. Thanks.

Should I get a hose reel or are they more trouble than they're worth?

Google regulator drier. It is a one or two "can" device installed in the outgoing air line and they range in cost from probably $30 to $250. The lower priced ones are adequate for the home hobbyist. I've painted cars and boats and machinery on the hobby level and have no experience with a reel.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gene Hillman,

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
Google regulator drier. It is a one or two "can device installed in the outgoing air line and they range in cost from probably $30 to $250. The lower priced ones are adequate for the home hobbyist. I've painted cars and boats and machinery on the hobby level and have no experience with a reel.

Thanks.

I have a garage set up for the lawn equipment so keeping the hose off of the floor is probably a good idea but not if it's a total hassle to use it from a reel.

Is this for a mini-gun or airbrush sprayer?

It might be a struggle on a full size gun.

My best advice is to invest in large ID air hose (and fittings!) and if necessary, upgrade the regulator/switch to a larger diameter. This will allow you to use tools at full power, albeit briefly.

Most of the hose and fittings at HF is the small ID stuff - like 1/4".

quote:

keeping the hose off of the floor is probably a good idea but not if it's a total hassle to use it from a reel.

I've got a 30 gallon oil-less Sears going on 25 years old now. In the PNW, I drain the tank a couple times a year, minor hassle laying unit down on side, crescent wrench the plug.

With 50' hose line and minimal-moderate use needs, I've used overhead hooks to keep line off the barn floor. Have to re-coil the last 20' as that's most used. 3 or 4 loops allow reach to most of area used most often, & out the door on one side. Still, the 20'+ runs from one side of barn space to the other, generally not moved, yet with the large hooks, easily can be moved as needed for various projects.

I've never painted, have run a few air tools. Mostly it's air supply for nozzle blast needs, or pump up tire.

I have a Kobalt 40 gal compressor I purchased from Lowes a couple of years ago. It replaced an older 50 gal compressor I bought back in the 90's when I was doing a lot of automotive body work.

My 40 Gal Kobalt was about $500 if I remember correctly. It serves my purpose for ocassional sandblasing(bead blast cabinet)' general air compressor duties, but it would not standup to daily extended useage. I use an inline moisture trap on the outlet hose when ever I am using paint type acessories.

I drain the tank after very useage and leave the petcock open until the next time I use it.

I also have another Kobalt compressor, a small portable one that I use for airbrush duties and inflating tires.

You really need a larger tank (reserve) and compressor if you intend to run air tools. Using a too small compressor for that purpose will quickly wear out an undersized compressor.

I made a reel cart for my set up.

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
Is this for a mini-gun or airbrush sprayer?

It might be a struggle on a full size gun.

My best advice is to invest in large ID air hose (and fittings!) and if necessary, upgrade the regulator/switch to a larger diameter. This will allow you to use tools at full power, albeit briefly.

Most of the hose and fittings at HF is the small ID stuff - like 1/4".

I'll probably go with a mini gun. The stuff I'm spreading is electronic enclosures.

quote:

Originally posted by Eponym:



I made a reel cart for my set up.

Nice!

This place continues to impress. Sure wish everything worked so well.

Is there any point to putting a moisture trap on the inlet to lessen moisture getting into the tank?

Like your car engine, the compression is squeezing the moisture from the air. Any kind of water trap on the inlet would do little if anything.

Eponym-- I like that cart. What kind of reel is that?

amals-- It is a Central Pneumatic from Harbor Freight: Link

Note: HF likes to play endless marketing games. Wait for whatever you want to be on sale and use an active, valid discount coupon.

Other parts I used:
- Lead hose: Link
- 2 quick connectors, 1 male and 1 female, for lead hose.
- 4 swivel, locking castors.
- Misc. screws, bolts, nuts, washers.

What I got from the good suggestions is=larger hose and connections and largest water filter you can afford.
I like the wall mounted binks or develvis and have each on a 60 gallon and a 30 gallon.The small compressor in basement dosent matter ,rarely do any spraying there but I have a portable filter and regulator I can just plug into the line.

I looked around a bit and decided for what I'm going to do with it, I'm just going to pick up the $175 one from harbor freight.

https://www.harborfreight.com/...ompressor-64857.html

If I outgrow it then I'll spend some extra loot on a fancier one.

Loading it in my car, the guy said I should leave it upright before firing it up since I had to lay it down for the ride home. I didn't think they came with the compressor oil already in it.

Besides the regulator dryer I would add disposable filter, a swivel, then second regulator at the paint gun.

An air compressor takes a large volume of air (say, from your room) and compresses it into a small space (a few cubic feet). There is a certain amount of water in that large volume. That amount of water does not change as the air compresses. As air is compressed it also gets hot. Hot moist air from the compressor is pushed into a vessel that is larger and cooler. The moisture condenses in the tank. It then collects in the bottom of the tank where it causes rust. This is why the tank needs regular draining. I expect this rust is what kills most compressors. Motors are ok, compressors are ok, tanks leak and the unit get discarded.