FRL - Common abbreviation for Filter Regular Lubricator.
The top of the L on the FRL for the power draw bar on my South Bend mill started leaking a while ago. A week or so. It doesn't stop it from working, but it hisses constantly, and uses a lot of oil.
A while back I discovered the FRs from HF were better than comparably priced (Jupiter I think) from MSC, but I need an FRL. I have the old Central Pneumatic filter regulators* on a lot of things around the shop. The only FRL shown on the Harbor Freight website is a **Merlin brand at 100 bucks. Merlin has been decent in air tool parts, so I was tempted. It would cost me time to drive into town but I could have had it today (yesterday, or maybe it was Friday). On the other hand McMaster Carr has one for a few dollars less, it will be delivered on Monday, and I've never gotten a bad part from McMaster.
- The Central Pneumatic filter regulators are fine, and the filter traps on them are a 4th line of defense. My compressor air goes through a filter, regulator, air drier, another filter, and then every air drop has a drain valve as the lowest point. I don't have lab grade air, but its not bad. I have considered adding a desiccant stack, but then I'd have to plan on a drying regiment. Maybe a dual desiccant stack with heaters and timers and solenoid valves... I don't really need lab grade air.
** I am sure the Merlin name was picked by Harbor Freight because at a glance some people may confuse it with Milton which is a top name in air accessories. Merlin has also proven to be a little better than other Harbor Freight air accessories. Just like they use Central Pneumatic to fool people into thinking if Chicago Pneumatic. It sounds similar.
Could I have pieced together something cheaper? Absolutely. I could have probably even bought an L and scabbed it onto the FR even cheaper than that. I waned something decent, and I mitigated the shipping cost by tacking on a couple other things I planned to get from McMaster anyway.
Sure Harbor Freight is upping their game with their premium brands, but when I can have a quality part delivered next day from a company that will just take care of me without any bullshit if there is any issue at all, they are aren't going to sell me when they are MORE expensive.