Most air tool manufacturers recommend having a water filter in the air
line "as close to the tool as possible". E.g. Paslode specify within
10 feet, OTOH Bostich do not mention water filters at all in their FAQ
(I could not download any manuals).
The question is how much water is damaging enough to justify trying to
get an in-line filter close to a tool with all that it entails. Is the
water filter really necessary for limited use as opposed to continuous
use for a whole day?
I was trying to quantify this somewhat and thought the best example
would be nailers (although not necessarily metal-related ). If one
used a brad nailer for the occasional job that entails 200 or so
fasteners at a time would inserting a water filter be justified even
though it is a hassle, added expense and another potentially weak
point in the line?
Is there difference in how the water vapor affects different types of
air tools?
Is there a way of assessing how much water is being conveyed to the
air tool? FWIW I use my compressor with a blow gun 99% of the time.
When I use it to blow dust off finished wood I never see any water
spray, droplets or mist. Draining the tank at the end of the day
yields at most a few drops.
Thanks,
Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC
- posted 11 years ago