Although air powered tools are generally more reliable, lighter, and better able to handle the rigors of an industrial environment than alternative electrically powered tools, the way that they work can actually put them at risk of damage, as well as creating potential problems with the quality of the work that can be achieved with them if appropriate steps such as the use of air compressor filters are not taken.

Air powered tools all rely on the flow of compressed air from a central source, whether this is a single portable compressor or a fixed industrial system.  If this air is contaminated in any way with moisture, particles of dust and rust or any other contaminants, it can cause real problems for both the tools being used and also the job being carried out.  Without the use of air compressor filters, any contaminants can get into the air supply and create havoc for your tools.

If moisture gets into the air supply, it can wreck the lubrication system of an impact wrench, or cause abrasive particles in a sand blaster to clog up the nozzles.  Dust can cause major problems too.  IF you are painting and dust gets into the paint, it will completely ruin the quality of the finish that you are able to achieve, and if rust particles are blasted through an air powered impact wrench at high speed, they can cause immense damage to the fins of its motor, and lower the capabilities it has to work.  Thankfully, there are a number of different air compressor filters available on the market that are able to prevent contamination of the air supply in a number of ways, and you should install these on your compressor to increase the lifespan of any tools you use, and also to ensure that any work that you carry out is done to the highest possible standard.

A model like the Devlibiss DEVDAD500 air compressor filter combines the 3 main types of filter in order to provide you with the cleanest air possible.  A 3 stage design means that the process of removing foreign bodies and contaminants from the air is carried out in a logical and efficient manner that does not compromise the ability of the compressor to deliver the air at a high enough power to be useful.

The first stage of an air compressor filter is the centrifuge.  Here, a high speed rotating effect is used to push any larger particles or droplets of oil out of the air and into a storage container.  Typically, the centrifugal filter will be able to remove particles down to about 5 microns in size.  These would typically be the solid items that could damage the interior of an impact wrench, or cause imperfections in a paint finish.

The next stage is the coalescer filter.  This stage of the air compressor filter is designed to make the smaller particles of dust and aerosols of liquid down to 0.1 microns across coalesce into larger droplets so that they can be removed with the filter.  Typically, a reactive borosilicate filter is used to force the particles and aerosols to coalesce and to make it easier to filter them out of the flow of air.

The final stage in the a