Quality regulator for air compressor

[eltax91]

Hi all

I have a half decent and quite beefy 50l compressor in the garage. I use it for blowing up tyres and occasional use of the rattle gun and air ratchet.

It used to be a case of winding the regulator up to 8 bar and away I go. However, as time has gone by, the wrench and ratchet have both seemed to get weaker. I think the regulator is perhaps under specced and as such is inhibiting supply

3 questions:-

• is this likely and would replacing it help?
• which brands are best to replace with?
• I'm also thinking of rigging up a fixed line to the wall to make use more flexible. Do I need special pipes and t pieces for air stuff? Any good websites to buy from?

[CubanPete]

SMC and Norgren for regulators / filters / driers.

PCL fittings are good for easy connections

RS would be a good place to look.

[eltax91]

CubanPete said:

SMC and Norgren for regulators / filters / driers.

PCL fittings are good for easy connections

RS would be a good place to look.

Thanks for the info. Regulators seem to come without gauges. Is it acceptable to use the existing one, or is its accuracy in question too?

[paintman]

Do you have an in-line oiler at the tool end of the hose or do you occasionally oil both air tools?
Have you cleaned them recently? I recently had similar issues with my impact gun. Stripped it & it was pretty grotty inside, build up of general crud was acting as a brake. Cleaned & reassembled & OK again.

[CubanPete]

I would guess the gauge you have is probably fine. Regulators can come with or without gauges depending on how you specify them. If you have any particularly sensitive kit I would put a secondary regulator and gauge downstream.

Cleaning out the tool would be a good idea too.

[eltax91]

Thanks all. Both tools cleaned and oiled before I asked the question! They don't get heavy use and are like new really. Before having issues I think I'd used the ratchet about twice!