Bit of an odd one here... re: desiccant setups

[Rafezetter]

Hi - new to forum, and relatively new to spraying large scale stuff and I have a pretty "out there" kinda question..

After a recent issue with some moisture in the line even after having a regulator filter trap and a smaller one just before the whip line, I thought about buying one of those disposable inline desiccant things for the few times I spray lacquer / oilbased paints. Compressor is a 3hp 50l tank.

But looking at it, all it seems to be is a container with those desiccant "seeds" that you get in little bags in almost everything boxed nowadays, and I have a good sized bag of them (about the size of a juggling ball) that came in a big delivery a while back and I had a bit of an idea....

If I just undid the connectors on my 1/2 metre whipline, poured them INTO the whipline - maybe with a cotton plug both ends, and then did it all back up again, does anyone think this might help add a final chance to get any last remaining moisture out of the air before the gun? After each use I could pour them out and leave them on a radiator until next time.

I don't spray anywhere near enough, have the funds to buy a dedicated dryer system, or the constant space to set up a metal pipework condensing system, so wondered if this might be a simple extra failsafe...

 

[LudicrousSpeed]

I would be afraid that the cotton would either

Screw up the flow
or
Come loose in the line and get to the gun.

Just buy the little filters that screw on the gun for $10.

OR

build a chiller box out of copper tubing and a metal box filled with icewater

 

[Rafezetter]

Ahh I see what you're saying, although the whipline has a female quick connector on each end, so figured that might keep stuff in place. That said maybe I can make an inline cannister of some sort that will do the same job, and be reusable..

The tinkerer in me just can't help but give it a go

 

[TAZ]

They used to have some toilet paper filters. I haven't seen one of those for quite some time though. This does a great job at catching moisture.
I also use those 'filter balls' that LS is talking about. Pretty much all my guns have them.

Not supposed to use them any more due to the regulations, but....I haven't been caught yet lol

 

[Rafezetter]

Thanks for the replies... I think for the small cost it's not worth tinkering and just buy something to do it, but it never hurts to consider it

 

[Rafezetter]

I've just found this, utterly by accident, as you so often do on the net, seems I stumbled on the same idea the boffins at DeVilbiss did...

Called the "Desiccant Snake"
http://www .docstoc. com/docs/31527706/ Puts-the-b ite-on-wet-air

(TAZ, the link worked fine for me when i posted it and I checked it again when the post was submitted)

 

[bondofreak]

If you are having moisture issues already the snake will not be a good choice. A waste of money. It will fill up and restrict flow quickly. Seen it happen. Get a motorguard M60 setup and a gun ball. You are out under 100 bucks.

 

[Rafezetter]

Hi - well I've come up with a snake setup that uses things I already have and the whipline I first mentioned - I don't spray anywhere near enough to warrent one of those wall mounted setups with 2 desiccants and a filter on the end, plus I don't have a dedicated area to mount them, and I'm currently out of work, so finances won't really allow it either. Spraying for me is the endpart of a hobby (furniture), not the main part. But thanks for the input anyway

 

[bondofreak]

You can drag the M60 around on the floor if you choose. It is actually nicknamed dragpot. But do what you like I think I see you are headed there.

 

[Rafezetter]

"But do what you like I think I see you are headed there." ?? I do appreciate your input, and I DID look at the m60 design information (although I didn't know it works just as good lying down), and it may still be something I use at a later time (IF I can find a UK outlet), but I have these bits NOW, they are FREE, and it's looks like Devilbiss had the same idea, so it's not quite as crackpot as it may seem.

You may not have meant it as such, but your comment comes across as quite combative, and it's my perogative to do as I like, but that does not mean I am totally dismissing other peoples input either.

 

[bondofreak]

Combative....not in the least.
Indifferent....more like it. After years of posting on numerous forums I always give sound advice based on my own experience. Take it or leave it. This is a trade, profession, hobby, or whatever you wanna call it. I don't tinker and play around with this-n-that nor do I wander what this will do if I try this or that (junior chemist) for the first time just to see what might happen. There is too much of my time, money, and materials at stake to be goofing around with off the wall experiments especially moisture control. You got terrific advice not a guess. Sorry you took it wrong.

 

[Rafezetter]

It was tinkering right up to that point, granted, and if I had not seen the item from devilbiss, I'd not have really given it much more thought, but devilbiss aren't know for producing items that don't work, or are sketchy at best; more than one way to skin a 'coon, especially when finances, and circumstances prevent throwing money at it.

 

[bondofreak]

Like I said do whatever you like. Taz and I gave you the same product answer (toilet paper filter). I have used mine for over ten yrs and it still works great. Just occasional filter change. To each his own.

 

[TAZ]

Rafezetter,
Go ahead and correct the link please. Like to check it out. Sorry, thought maybe you were an advertiser/spammer (we do qet quite a few)
I'm sure bondofreak didn't mean to come across like that. He's had quite a bit of valued input on the forum.

Hope your snake setup works out good for you! Sounds like it will!

 

[bondofreak]

Ditto.
Hope it all works out.
Cya