MX442, I like your method. Any idea on how much cash you got in your setup? I'm guessing the m60 is the most expensive portion of your investment, and they're only like $75. I have higher humidities (at times) than you being as I'm in NW Ohio. If you have such good luck, maybe I just need to go that way. It seems like the guys who have made similar setups all have very good luck without taking the refrigerated route.
DATEC, the $450 unit I see on eBay right now has all kinds of disclaimers on it and caveats along with extensive warnings that he doesn't take returns and hasn't tested the united. The listing doesn't give me a warm feeling. I will have to pass on it, but I really appreciate you teaching me about a good brand to look out for!
My compressor may not be a professional grade unit, but it should feed my iWata LPH400 which requires 9.5CFM at 29psi if I remember right. I do have horrible moisture problems though. After the compressor runs awhile I get TONS of water spraying out my die grinders and other tools. I've been ready to paint some parts in epoxy for a couple weeks now and have had to find other things to do on my project, because I am aware of this water issue and haven't decided how to address it. I don't know how important it is to have perfectly clean epoxy, especially since what I'm painting are interior panels that are only binge rust-proofed, but I figured I may as well do all of it "the right way."
I kick all these ideas around and typically I just end up flipping a coin of sorts and just picking one. I think I'm gonna go the cheaper route with this. It seems this route gets the same results as going the expensive route, and yes, I may do another car....in 15 years. The need for perfectly clean air is NOT typical for me. I am a farmer and use the air all the time, and while clean, dry air is great to have, I don't NEED it EVER. This project is the only time I have been sand blasting and painting quality paint. So if I can get away by doing this clean, dry air setup at a DIY budget, I think I'd be best off.
With all that said, since you guys have pointed out that I may have additional oil problems with a single stage compressor, would it be in my best interest to invest in two m60 filters? I could have one right out of the compressor. Next the line would go through a condenser or small trans cooler. I'll probably set up a fan to blow over this. From the trans cooler I'll run the air through 20'-30' of coiled up copper tube in a 5 gallon bucket of water. Out of the bucket of water and coiled copper tube I'll run into an expansion/ dryer tank. This tank will just be an old portable compressed air tank I have laying around. This tank will have the water drain on it. It will be a manual drain if I have this whole system setup on a bypass leg for times when I need the super clean and super dry air, and it will be on an electronic, auto valve if I decide to leave the whole system permenant as part of my day to day setup. From here I'll go into the actual compressor 60 gal tank. Out of the tank will be an additional m60 filter. After this filter the line will feed a standard regulator. Out of the regulator will be the line to my paint gun. I'm gonna keep an inline filter at the gun when I first use this setup to make sure it's working 100%. How's all that sound?
On a side note, should I remove the manual petcock drain on the bottom of my compressor tank, which I believe to be rusted shut, and replace it with an auto valve if i don't keep the whole system I described above in the normal loop and bypass the said system?