Compressor advice

[MattRoberts]

Hi all, just got a compressor to run a brad nailer, air gun and the like from.

I have a few questions if you can help :

Regarding the oil for the compressor - does it need to be a special type, or will 3 in 1 suffice?
Likewise the oil for the brad nailer (a makita 18 gauge).

It recommends to turn the regulator to zero after each use - is this really necessary?

Do you guys switch yours off when leaving the shop, or just leave them on and ready to go?

Any other essential kit that you have for it?

Thanks for any help

 

[n0legs]

Compressor oil is specific to compressors, it's not expensive.
You can buy air tool oil but any thin oil will do in my opinion, just keep the tools oiled.
I don't touch my regulators.
I shut down the compressors and drain them off each time they're used. Leave the taps open and shut them the next time the compressor is turned on.


Edit to add,
By draining them off I mean opening the water drain tap at the bottom of the tank. You need to get the water out, the tank will rust out and a big bang could occur :lol:

 

[Monkey Mark]

I can only comment on a couple of bits.

The compressor oil depends on the compressor. Silent ones are very picky.

For the tools most light oils will do. Either with an inline oiler or just pop a couple drops in before use. I know plenty of people just give a quick squirt of 3 in 1 or wd40.

Regulator is a funny one. It relies on a spring so in theory it should be put to zero each time. Personally i don't bother and have never had one fail. I think the constant changing would be more likely to be an issue than the spring.


I leave mine switched off but but i don't empty it. I dint see the point in emptying then refilling as it's just extra run time. If your lines leak at all pull them out or turn off the supply otherwise it will be empty by morning anyway.

 

[MattRoberts]

Thanks guys. It's definitely not a silent one! I got this one 24L Air Compressor - 9.6 CFM, 2.5 HP, 1.5 KW, 230V, 24L, 115 PSI https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018QOKU38/ ... nxbX7ZMYXG

Would this oil be right for the compressor? Draper 34683 1L Compressor Oil https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004GP9SXA/ ... nxb0BFP6WC

 

[n0legs]

Would this oil be right for the compressor? Draper 34683 1L Compressor Oil https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004GP9SXA/ ... nxb0BFP6WC

It would be nice to know what is in it already, what does the spec/instruction book say ?
I would think it'll be fine.
To be honest I just top mine up with some Sealey compressor oil, I've never checked what's in, mine it's running to low I worry about.

 

[Rorschach]

Does that even require oil, a lot of smaller compressors are oil-less, my little one certainly is. For my big compressor I use compressor oil, it's designed for the job and is not expensive, in fact it's one of the cheapest oils I use.
For the air tools I also use air tool oil, again not expensive and a little bit lasts for a very long time unless you run a production shop.

 

[Rorschach]

BTW that draper oil is pricey, I paid about £12 for 4litres last time I bought it, my compressor has a 1 litre sump and I change it once a year, due now actually, got gotta find time.

 

[Bodgers]

If it is the same Makita nailer that was bought as a present for me a few weeks ago, it comes with a small bottle of oil, and it seems to be typical oil for air tools - I.e. very thin viscosity synthetic that doesn't easily clog.



Sent from my MI 3W using Tapatalk

 

[MattRoberts]

Does that even require oil, a lot of smaller compressors are oil-less, my little one certainly is. For my big compressor I use compressor oil, it's designed for the job and is not expensive, in fact it's one of the cheapest oils I use.
For the air tools I also use air tool oil, again not expensive and a little bit lasts for a very long time unless you run a production shop.

Yeah, it has a little oil window that does how much is in it.

Thanks all - I'll shop around and get some proper oil. I don't need much, as I'm not using it too often