Jonathan Kaplan on sun 27 jul 97
Back froim a rather long overseas trip and catching up on my voluminous
e-mail, I noticed a thread on compressors.
Its not so much the brand of compressor you buy, although I would
definitely consider Speedaire, Campbell Housfeld, etc. etc. Size of tank is
important if you don't want the compressor on all the time, as is the HP of
the motor. Single stage compressors? Double stage compressors? All worth
thinking about. While in many cases a simple small Sears might work fine,
we use alot of air on a daily basis for the press, diaphragm pumps, hoses,
the vacuum hand, etc., and we have a pretty big upright Speedaire with a 5
hp motor, 220V. Hard piped air lines circumnavigate the shop with filter
regulators at each station. Snap in connectors at each station allow for
multiple use air devices.
Just because the compressor makes compressed air doesn't mean that it is
good air. its important to have some sort of moisture dryer on the line, as
well as a coalescing (bad spelling I know) filter to remove oil and other
junk in the airstream.
Check out the pressure differential on the switching mechanism in that you
don't want the compressor running continuously. Ours cycles between 70-110
psi.
Perhaps the most important thing is to drain the tank daily, Compressing
air also produces water and if left in the tank, will eventually rust
through and ruin your compressor. Also, a weekly maintenance of checking
the oil level, replacing and or topping off when necessary, checking the
filter regulators and other inline air devices on a regular basis will
promote a long and happy life of your air system.
Jonathan
Jonathan Kaplan, president jonathan@csn.net
Ceramic Design Group Ltd./Production Services
PO Box 775112
Steamboat Springs CO 80477
Plant Location (please use this address for all UPS shipments)
30800 Moffat Ave Unit 13
Steamboat Springs CO 80487
(970) 879-9139*voice and fax
http://www.craftweb.com/org/jkaplan/cdg.shtml
http://digitalfire.com/education/articles/kaplan1.htm
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