Thread: Air Tool Operation

Having just received the new micro die grinder mentioned in .RC's thread http://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/an...dremel-173890/ I have again started thinking about how to operate my meager collection of air tools properly. The instructions that came with the die grinder consisted of pug it in, turn collar this way for on, that way for off and turn on slowly. That was it. It came with a plastic device that looked like an inline filter which on searching EBay (my Google for product information) I discovered that it was an inline oiler. I had that day bought a litre of oil for these tools. "Rocket" brand so I know they will go fast now.

I have done some searching on the net but had very little success with finding information on the proper setup and operation of air tools. The oiler that came with the grinder connects to the rear of the grinder itself which means that there is no extra oil passing thru the air lines. It does not appear to have any adjustment for flow. I presume that using this oiler means that I don't have to squirt oil into the tool every so often. Shame really cos they also supplied a nifty little bottle with a dripper nozzle that works great.

Can anyone point me to a good source of info about this matter and/or provide me with your knowledge and observations?

Dean

[QUOTE=Oldneweng;1680651
I have done some searching on the net but had very little success with finding information on the proper setup and operation of air tools. The oiler that came with the grinder connects to the rear of the grinder itself which means that there is no extra oil passing thru the air lines. It does not appear to have any adjustment for flow. I presume that using this oiler means that I don't have to squirt oil into the tool every so often. Shame really cos they also supplied a nifty little bottle with a dripper nozzle that works great.

Can anyone point me to a good source of info about this matter and/or provide me with your knowledge and observations?

Dean[/QUOTE]

Hi Dean,

DO NOT use the clear plastic oiler that comes with the unit. These are totally useless, and seriously over oil it. They also leak oil everywhere when stored.

You can buy better quality adjustable ones if you want to go this way.

Instead, just use the little oil bottle you get and add a drop of oil into the connector at the rear of the tool every hour. That's all you need.

Use a light oil when the stuff supplied is used up - ATF works well.

Also make sure the air supply is dry. There should not be any moisture or condensate visible at the exhaust port of any air tools used.

I've had my CTC pencil die grinder at least 5 years and it's still as good as the day I got it. Dry air and a drop of oil are all it needs.

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Hi Dean,

DO NOT use the clear plastic oiler that comes with the unit. These are totally useless, and seriously over oil it. They also leak oil everywhere when stored.

You can buy better quality adjustable ones if you want to go this way.

Instead, just use the little oil bottle you get and add a drop of oil into the connector at the rear of the tool every hour. That's all you need.

Use a light oil when the stuff supplied is used up - ATF works well.

Also make sure the air supply is dry. There should not be any moisture or condensate visible at the exhaust port of any air tools used.

I've had my CTC pencil die grinder at least 5 years and it's still as good as the day I got it. Dry air and a drop of oil are all it needs.

Cheers

Rob

Thanks Rob. I have not connected the oiler yet so will just leave it off. As I mentioned, extra oil from a permanant oiler at the compressor, being fed thru the air lines concerns me if I need to do spray painting. I have a moisture extractor at the compressor. I have just bought a litre bottle so this should last me for a loong time.

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Thanks Rob. I have not connected the oiler yet so will just leave it off. As I mentioned, extra oil from a permanant oiler at the compressor, being fed thru the air lines concerns me if I need to do spray painting. I have a moisture extractor at the compressor. I have just bought a litre bottle so this should last me for a loong time.

Dean

Hi Dean,

Yes, the last thing you want is oil (and moisture) going through your air lines.

It's unlikely you will be running any air tools continuously for hours on end anyway.

So a drop of oil directly into the connector every so often is more than enough to do the job.

A litre bottle of oil will last for several generations at least

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Hi Dean,

Yes, the last thing you want is oil (and moisture) going through your air lines.

It's unlikely you will be running any air tools continuously for hours on end anyway.

So a drop of oil directly into the connector every so often is more than enough to do the job.

A litre bottle of oil will last for several generations at least

Cheers

Rob

That is what I thought when I saw that only litre bottles were available. I went in with $10 expecting a little bottle, looked at the range starting at $32 and kept going down the line until the very last one was in my price range at $8. I was surprised to see so many choices for a small town shop.

Dean

Yeah, a drop or two of oil everytime you use it is ok. If you do decide to use an inline oiler (with a dedicated hose for use with it) I do have one of these - http://www.woodworkforums.com/f223/new-oil-lubricators-137647/#post1351664 - still sitting here doing nothing. Send me a PM if you want it.

Nev.

When i worked as a cabinetmaker we used air tools all the time, mostly nail guns, sanders and drills, and then all the big machines that used air, wide belt sanders, hinge press, borers etc.
We never had inline oilers, except on the machines, down line from where they plugged in. A few drops in the tool in the morning, after smoko and lunch and that kept them running fine. We did have water traps, both built into the plumbing and on the regs. For spraying we used a car booth so it had its own oil and water traps, plus charcoal filters for air supply if we suited right up.

Cheers,
Ew

Originally Posted by nearnexus

It's unlikely you will be running any air tools continuously for hours on end anyway.

Hahahahahaha. You obviously don't ever do any sand blasting.

I've been known to run my 120 cfm compressor for 8 hours straight blasting plate....

PDW

Originally Posted by PDW

I've been known to run my 120 cfm compressor for 8 hours straight blasting plate....

But I'm pretty sure a sand blasting gun doesn't needs any oil.

I hope no-one bought their air pencil die grinder from this bloke

KS Tools 515 3198 16 X 132mm 70000rpm AIR Pencil DIE Grinder | eBay

Exactly the same as my $30 (delivered) unit. There was someone in Germany trying this same thing when I bought mine.

Unreal.

Can't imagine anyone would buy one at that price.

EDIT*** It gets worse - check this out.

1 8" Micro AIR DIE Grinder Pencil Type 65000rpm Polishing Engraver Tool W Case | eBay

This one is the identical kit that I got from CTC.

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

EDIT*** It gets worse - check this out.

1 8" Micro AIR DIE Grinder Pencil Type 65000rpm Polishing Engraver Tool W Case | eBay

This one is the identical kit that I got from CTC.

They've sold fifty of them.

Nev.

The fifty they have sold were at $18.95 would say they have run out as they increased the buy it now price on the third some of them (ebay sellers ) do that as the easy way to stop selling until they have more in stock instead of closing the item and relisting when they have more in stock
Cheers Rod

Originally Posted by nosnow

The fifty they have sold were at $18.95 would say they have run out as they increased the buy it now price on the third some of them (ebay sellers ) do that as the easy way to stop selling until they have more in stock instead of closing the item and relisting when they have more in stock
Cheers Rod

Oh yeah! Was so shocked that I'd forgotten about that. Would be a nice tidy littly profit if someone bought one at that price though. Probably happened on the odd occasion when they do this.

Nev.

This is the CTC kit that I have:

MICRO AIR GRINDER #C99

If you google "micro die grinder" it's sad to see how many on line stores are trying to rip people off on these things.

$60 - 160 is quite common.

The exact same unit can easily be had off Ebay for less than $40 (delivered).

They are a tremendous little tool.

Rob

Originally Posted by Vernonv

But I'm pretty sure a sand blasting gun doesn't needs any oil.

No, all a sandblast gun needs is a stupid operator.

PDW