Thread: Air compressor CFM lost-lenghts of black pipe??.

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Gary,
If you're looking at a one or two man shop you won't have any worry with pressure drop in your system as described. Adding a second air tank is going to give you more storage volume (so does your header system), which only delays the start of the compressor as you use air, but then simply takes longer for the compressor to refill which gets your compressor hot. If you're painting your enemy system heat, and a good system is going to have your compressor running less than 50% of the time to keep it from getting too hot and putting more water into your air. You should be fine with 15scfm @ 90psig, especially with a newer gun. I would not think you need a second tank. Check your tools for flow capacity and compare to your compressor flow. On your piping, run your first line up from your tank, and slope the horizontal header back towards your tank, taking drops down from that header to your work stations. An automatic water drain on the tank is nice, but if you open your drain several times a day during heavy use it will work, too.

What everyone has said so far is true. Once you have it plumbed and all the outlets installed just make sure you have a trap and a good water filter before the main outlet. If you do any painting with a spray gun, do not put an inline oiler in. It will introduce fine mists of oil to keep your air tools lubed and when you paint also add oil to the line and mix with the paint.
I always keep air tool oil handy and use a few drops when using an air tool, much easier.
One thing you should keep in mind. ......for every foot of hose you use , it will drop pressure by 2 lbs per 10 ft of hose. So when or if you paint and need to have a specific pressure at the gun, if you have 50ft of hose, you will need to bump up the pressure by 10 more lbs.

Originally Posted by sunsetdart

One thing you should keep in mind. ......for every foot of hose you use , it will drop pressure by 2 lbs per 10 ft of hose. So when or if you paint and need to have a specific pressure at the gun, if you have 50ft of hose, you will need to bump up the pressure by 10 more lbs.

I put in a small regulator with guage at the gun, or on a QC adapter for the hose end if you're running multiple guns. That way you run your main regulator at 90, but can adjust your pressure at the gun to what you want when flowing. Takes the guesswork out, and it was like $10 at the auto paint store.