I just purchased a PrimeWeld cut60 and am looking to get a dryer to go right before the cutter to hopefully extend life of consumables and help me make nicer cuts. My budget is about $250, I have an oil-type air compressor and am in SW Wisconsin so humidity can get pretty bad.
There are several good threads on the forum about drying air. Here is the one that I started a couple of months ago.
For $250, I would:
- put in a auto tank drain
- install passive drying with copper tubing
- install some sort of desiccant dryer (preferably a 1qt, but they can get expensive)
- install the Motorguard M-60 filter
You will probably blow that $250 budget with that setup, but it is a starting point. My air drying system has surpassed the amount spent on my compressor, and I’m not done with it.
1 Like
That is an almost impossible feat with just $250. Adam gave you a very realistic approach. I just wanted to add that until you get the air cooled down, efficient moisture removal cannot happen.
Before the compressor kicks on, the air is cool in the tank and has allowed a considerable amount of moisture to drop out on the walls of the compressor tank. Draining the tank at that point is a good start.
As you are cutting, the compressor kicks on and it is creating lots of heat. Water traps and the desiccant beads will not remove much of the moisture until you have about 20 feet or more of copper tubing to cool the air a bit. Even the refrigerated dryers need the air cooled a bit before air enters them.
I only say this because I would hate for you to add $300 worth of filters and still have moisture in your air and feel that you “did everything recommended and it still is not enough.” But, you have to start somewhere.