Decent Air Pressure Regulator for Compressor

Some of you may recall my air compressor post a while back which I posted while shopping for an air compressor for the garage. I ended up with a nice twin cylinder, belt driven, oiled unit (30 gal) made by CH. Well, not too long after I got it the air pressure regulator crapped out on it, leaking continuously. I replaced it with a much better built regulator from Amazon.com shortly thereafter. The only problem is that this regulator doesn't seem to "replenish" air fast enough for my air tools. My tools will start for a second at full power and quickly die down to about 3/4-power as the regulator tries to refill the line from the tank. Very, very annoying. I know it's not the compressor- it can and has handled these air loads easily (1/2 inch impact, etc.) and this is all "tank" load- the pump is not having to kick on during these shortages and tank pressure is solid.

Might be a longshot but does anyone know of a decent regulator I could use that's reasonably priced? I believe I have 1/4" NPT fittings on the compressor output side.

Hmm, never ordered from there before but I've heard so much! I just placed an order for this High Flow Regulator

#4959K21

Thanks!

Joel,
When you got the new regulator, did you look at the CFM rating and match that to your needs? You can get a general idea by pipe size but go by the CFM.

From what you describe, the pressure may be creeping up due to a low quality regulator. Look at your pressure gauge on the load side. Set the desired pressure and then see if the pressure increases by itself. This may be causing "My tools will start for a second at full power and quickly die down to about 3/4-power"

I like to run the heavy air tools unregulated, then plug in an inline regulator only when i need it.

Yes, i concur
The 1/4 pipe on the 3/8 hose is not the major restriction there.

I had good sucess enlarging the compressor outlet to 3/8 pipe then stepped up to all 3/8 quick disconnects instead of 1/4", the flow they maintain is like you are running the tool right off the tank.

You can get 3/8 QD's that have 1/4" npt ins and outs, and these maintain great flow, for instancs two 50" hoses together with three QD's have virtually no drop under high cfm.