Hot take: Air compressors running dry vs using a filter separator

Ive been diving out of Port Fourchon for about 5 years now and I keep seeing guys skip inline filters on their surface supply setups. They say it slows down the flow or adds weight to the line. But I swapped to a good separator last month after a buddy of mine got a nasty headache from oil mist in his air. The flow drop is barely noticeable maybe 0.5 cfm at most. Meanwhile the oil and water crap that collects in my filter after a 6 hour day is gross. So which side are you on? Do you run a filter religiously or just let the compressor spit whatever into your helmet? I want to hear why people think it's not worth the hassle because I'm starting to think it's a safety thing nobody talks about enough.

2 comments

2 Comments

webb.val1mo ago

That oil mist headache is no joke, I run a filter on mine after the same thing happened to me.

ryan_carr591mo ago

Did you ever try just running a cheap inline filter on the air line? I used to think that was overkill, but after my compressor blew oil into the shop, I changed my mind real quick.