A visitor wrote in… I spent a little time this weekend working with a friend putting up wainscotting (tongue and groove pine) in one of their rooms. We used a pneumatically operated brad nailer. Great tool, but with it he had an air tool oiler problem.
He’d installed an air tool lubricator (oiler) at the discharge from the compressor tank, and then had about 50′ of air hose to where we were working.
The problem was, none of the oil mist from the lubricator was getting to the air tool. It would ‘wet out’ the inside of the air hose, and over time, pool there, and not get to the end of the hose and into the tool.
Eventually though, a “blob” of oil would work it’s way out of the end of the air line and into the air tool. Suddenly oil is dripping out of the air tool exhaust port and making a heck of a mess.
Move the Air Tool Lubricator
I suggested that he pull the oiler from the discharge from the compressor air tank completely.
Instead, each time he wanted to use an air tool, drip 2-3 drops of air tool oil into the intake connector of the air tool before starting, and again, just before he put the tool away.
Since this is not an industrial application, with the air tool being used for single or multiple shifts every day, a few drops into the intake of the tool will provide more than ample lubrication for the tool.
The 2-3 drops blown into the tool just before it’s put away will help coat the innards and prevent rust.
You know, air compressors make and compressed air has a lot of water and water vapor in it.
Because of this lubricating an air tool is a good idea.
Just don’t overdue it. In my opinion most small applications have no need of a full time air line oiler. A few drops of air tool lubricating oil will do just fine.
Comments or questions about an air tool oiler problem are welcome. We expect that you’ll get some help from the other, experienced air tool users in the on line world.