Compressors and air-tools - a few questions.....

[Adam]

I've been using my nail gun an awful lots over the last couple of days... and decided to invest in one of these in-line lubricators that Scrit mentioned recently.....

Q1) I see Axminster do a special "Air Tool Oil" - for these in-line lubricators is that necessary? Can I just use normal oil in it?

Q2) Should I be using compressor oil when I need to top the actual unit itself up? Currently, the level is fine on the external window gauge but come the time when I have top up - is that what I should be using?

Q3), I've been using the little drain thingy on the bottom to release the pressure after use - is that what I'm supposed to do?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[andys wood shed]

Hi Adam
Hope this helps

Q1 Don't know but for the cost of it I always use it, does what it says on the tin approach

Q2 compressor oil is usually mono grade as opposed to multi grade as in engine oil so again i use it

Q3 The valve is to drain air and moisture from the receiver however you may find this is not necessary every time depends on how often you use it and how long you use it for. for long periods of unuse I would drain it to stop rust

The in line lubricators work ok but they do add bulk to the nail gun and are not the easiest things to refill. I have removed all mine and fitted a lubricator onto the compressor much better in my opinion

Regards

Andy

 

[Russell]

You must use an air tool oil if possible silicon free if you use the wrong oil you will clog the tool I supply air tools to industry and we use the Marvel air tool oil from America. I can't send you some because oil is supposed to go buy carrier and not post so woul cost £8.50 to send a bottle that cost £1.50

 

[RogerS]

Andy..I'm a bit confused with your reply. In Q1 you recommend the use of an in-line lubricator but then later on you say that you've removed all yours and do something else ..

I'm waiting for my compressor kit to come and as a 'newbie' welcome all and any advice :lol:

 

[andys wood shed]

Hi Roger
Q1 from Adam was about "air tool oil"

This should be used in either the in line type of the lubricator or the type (I use) which fits onto the compressor

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 4&ts=77075

Hope that help

Andy

 

[George_N]

If I was to use an in-line oiler at the compressor end of the line, would that not contaminate the whole airline? Presumably I would then need a "clean" air line to use with my spray gun? My brad nailer doesn't get heavy or frequent use at the moment so I think I will stick to putting a drop of oil in the gun each time I use it.

 

[andys wood shed]

Hi George

As always their is not a one fits all answer

What I have is a 'Y' connector off the compressor. One to the lubricator for air tool use and the other to the filter for spraying thus giving dedicated lines as you have stated.

Depends if you want a plug and play solution


Andy

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Putting an automatic oil feed in an air line thats going to be used for a nailer is a total waste of money, it don't need it.

Where your using air rams/piston that might be on an automatic machine where the ram/piston is using it's full travel of say more than twelve inches several times a minute hour on hour and day in day out then a drip feed would only need to be in the region on several drips a minute, so the tiny amount of air a nail gun uses is a waste of time. Your better off just squirting a little oil in to the gun just before you use it. 8)

 

[OLD]

I have the opposite opinion to lord nibbo using the axminster nailer with manual oiling i got a lot of jams but after the auto oiler very few indeed and toolstation oil is cheaper.

 

[routermad]

I agree with Lord Nibbo that squirting a little oil in the gun when you go to use it. I have three air nailers and this method seems to work ok. No jams yet. Its also worth noting that a couple drops of oil on the firing pin wont hurt either

 

[yellow_lamborghini_2406]

at work i use staple guns every day and we just put a bit of oil in them in the moring and there years old and they still work fine

 

[Lord Nibbo]

I agree with Lord Nibbo that squirting a little oil in the gun when you go to use it. I have three air nailers and this method seems to work ok. No jams yet. Its also worth noting that a couple drops of oil on the firing pin wont hurt either

No jams here either, in fact I've never had a jam, now I've said that I suppose I'll tempt fate. The thing about only oiling the actual gun is the pipe is free of oil and can be used safely with a spray gun.

Far more important to a home user is to keep moisture out by either draining the tank on a regular basis or adding an automatic drain or doing both.

 

[ike]

Adam,

Those inline lubricators look handy but I found them a pain in the backside. They are messy to fill, make smaller tools feel more awkward and I don't think they actually work very well as correct metering seems to depend on the orientation

A proper lubricator on the compressor works better IMO. Re possible oil contamination,I keep a 'dry' hose specifically for spraying.

Ike

 

[Scrit]

Hi Adam

Taking my name in vain, I see.....

Q1) I see Axminster do a special "Air Tool Oil" - for these in-line lubricators is that necessary? Can I just use normal oil in it?

No, you need to use air tool oil. It is available from any compressed air specialist, such as Thorite (Thoams Wright Group) up here in the frozen North. I believe that it's also available form B&Q and Machine Mart these days. The issue of contamination is why I suggested an in-line oiler rather than a filter/regulator/oiler set and and extra set of hoses (much more expensive). Personally I've found like mailee that an oiler prevents excessive jams in nailers, staplers, ratchets, sanders, drills, etc (I use all of those), especially as I am frequently not the only user of those tools

Q2) Should I be using compressor oil when I need to top the actual unit itself up? Currently, the level is fine on the external window gauge but come the time when I have top up - is that what I should be using?

Yes, although some compressors are designed to run on something like a high detergent 5W/40 motor oil. The instruction manual should tell you

Q3), I've been using the little drain thingy on the bottom to release the pressure after use - is that what I'm supposed to do?

Yes. As this will release all the condensed water at the bottom of the tank and delay the day when the tank goes rotten, as they all do in time (although generally 10 to 20 years of persistent use)

Scrit

 

[ProShop]

I also use an inline condensation/water filter which helps a great deal.