One day hopefully my own air

Hi Doc,

I am in Colorado, so similar climate to yours. I have pulled the valve on my Tiger Shark once about 6 months after I got the Shoebox to check it. I was surprised to find no moisture in it. I actually expected to find at least a little bit in it, but there was no visible moisture in the tank. I took it to the dive shop and had it filled because it would have taken quite a while to fill it from zero with the Shoebox. I agree though, as much money as I have in the airguns it only makes sense to add the filter on the Shoebox output. Thanks for the tip on the Sheldon filter. I will take a look. I've been on their site before, but I don't recall seeing a separate filter.

Bill, I was doing the same math when trying to decide what to do, and I just couldn't justify the cost of a new F8 and accessories with the amount of air I use, so I decided to look for a used SB Max. I ended up finding one with a fan and drive upgrade for $350. If you take care of the Shoebox it will basically last forever with the amount of use mine gets. I consider the SB one of the best airgun investments I've made.

The filter is the last item on the site. The tower costs $515.00 and the replacement filters are $49.00. I have accepted that thing are going to cost a little more in this hobby. I also have a lot invested and want to be sure they will last.

Doc

If you have an affordable source for nitrogen in your area, you can regulate it down to act as your first stage and there will be no moisture to deal with. You don't have to buy a compressor or an expensive filter. A regulator isn't going to be cheap, but it will be cheaper than those two items.

Click image to learn moreCode: REG-6000 Fully adjustable regulator up to 6,000 PSI Price: US$275.00

Question about the product August industries

AirgunBill, Stick to what you originally talked about. The Joe B output filter is the only one I know of that actually works. Someone mentioned that Shelden sporting goods also makes one and he knows what he is doing, so I'm sure his his good also. The diablo is a waste of money (IMHO) and linsfreak, if you think that big input dryer means you are getting dry air out of your shoebox, you're fooling yourself.

4500 psi air pressure can kill you or your loved ones. Please do not cheap out on making sure you get dry air in your tanks. I'm on a roll here this morning commenting, but I am really getting worried that someone is going to be severely injured or killed with all these compressors coming to the market with no thought to how much moisture is going into peoples tanks. Thus far, there simply is no cheap way to ensure that your air is dry and if you spend $100-200 on air drying equipment, you're likely wasting your money and endangering your life.

I am simply concerned that someone is going to get hurt. I value this hobby and the people who participate in it and don't want any of them hurt. No tone intended or desired.

I'm 100% with chiro972b on this. I did not read any disrespect in his post. I fully agree that there's a real danger that people buying compressors are going to get hurt because they don't understand that no matter how much you try and dry the inlet source, when you compress air to 4500 or 3000 psi you are going to compress water vapor as well. Its simple physics, and you can't get around it no matter where you live (Arizona and New Mexico included), or how strong your opinions are. This compressed air / water vapor mix will corrode your tank, air gun components, etc, and could lead to catastrophic tank failure. Eventually its going to mess with your gun as well. The solution is to use both a coalescing filter and a dryer on the output side. The dryer has to be constructed appropriately, like the ones on Bauer or Colti compressors, or the one that Joe Brancato sells. Unfortunately there are dessicant based 'dryers' being sold that are a joke and don't work. This market is completely unregulated, and some really either dishonest or ignorant people are willing to take your $ and sell you something that does not work. Be safe, and happy shooting.

Chiro and Regal are correct about moisture (I also did not detect attitude with his response). Also, according to Scubajeeper and Travels4fun, buying a nitrogen regulator and renting tanks will be the most economical way to go. I personally choose not to go that direction but purchased a Shelden compressor and I believe his air filter is the best and safest you can find. This will be your toughest decision in air gunning. Tough to sell this to the wife!!!!
Best of luck,

Doc

No apology necessary. I understand what I said would ruffle a few feathers, but I really am concerned about this. The only people I'm a bit perturbed with are the companies selling this stuff without adequate warnings of the potential danger. The problem too for consumers is that it will take likely years for someone to have a failure which lulls us into a false sense of security. Hopefully I'm overreacting, but when high pressure vessels do fail they do so with great violence. Please everyone be careful.