Author Topic: Installing an Air Line into the top manifold on M&R Sidewinder and Proper PSI?  (Read 2100 times)

Offline sonicweaponprinting

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So we received our new M&R 6/6 Sidewinder yesterday and I've got the machine setup and calibrated and the last step is hooking up the 3/8 " airline. The manual doesn't state anything about the recommended PSI, or air compressor requirements, and I didn't want to damage anything before I hooked it up and tested out the airlocks with too high of a PSI. I thought it would be 90-100 PSI, althought I really don't know that.

I have a 3 Gallon Oilless pancake Central Pnuematic brand (cheap harbor freight pickup from a while back) that has a max PSI of 100, and then a Porter Cable brand 4.5 Gallon compressor rated at 6.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI but is labeled 150 PSI.

Which would be best for the sidewinder. I would imagine the 4.5 would kick on less? Or maybe it doesnt kick on past when it builds pressure? I have never used an airlock system on a manual so i'm just trying to learn the basics of what to expect. If the compressor never really has to kick back on after starting up, I'd probably want to use the pancake one as it's smaller and quieter and I was planning on hiding this off in a utility closet to minimize noise levels.

Any suggestions from other sidewinder owners or chameleon owners would be thankful. If anything, someone in the future can use this thread for reference of where to get started if they don't want to hit up the M&R support directly.

The other thing I'm slightly confused by, is my 3/8" airline hose for my compressor looks like its way too thick to fit into the little red plastic airline manifold plug. It looks like I'd have to adapt it somehow with a skinner or different type of 3/8" hose. The images of the hose they connect in the manual looks like a different style than I expected too. Do I need a special type of line different than a standard 3/8" hose?
« Last Edit: February 09, 2013, 12:41:57 PM by sonicweaponprinting »


Offline Binkspot

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90 psi, it will only consume air when using the clamps or air leaks. The compressor should hardly ever come on, volume of air needed for the clamps is hardly anything. I know some people who use the portable tanks they fill at the gas station and it last them weeks.

The fitting on the press should be std NPT, not sure but I would guess 1/4" which should be the same size as a std air hose. You may need an adaptor to jump down a size to 1/8" but should be something you can get at Lowes or Home Depot.

Offline 244

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You cannot damage the press with your air pressure. Everything on the press is rated well over 200 psi. 80 to 100 will be fine. There is no CDMA rating as you cannot measure the amount of air needed on a static line. Any compressor or air tank will work fine. Sorry about the delay last time yo tried posting on our site but I believe a couple explanations were posted as to why the delay. It is not the norm for it to take 5 days. Just a FYI.
Rich Hoffman

Offline sonicweaponprinting

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You cannot damage the press with your air pressure. Everything on the press is rated well over 200 psi. 80 to 100 will be fine. There is no CDMA rating as you cannot measure the amount of air needed on a static line. Any compressor or air tank will work fine. Sorry about the delay last time yo tried posting on our site but I believe a couple explanations were posted as to why the delay. It is not the norm for it to take 5 days. Just a FYI.
Sorry about that Rich. I checked back and noticed there was a response. My fault. Also, how impressive is it that I just got a response from the owner himself on a saturday. Service unmatched indeed.

One question still curious about, how can I adapt my current 3/8" airline w/ some sort of adapter to the proper 3/8" tubing thats required. We didn't realize there would have to be an adapter, but figure theres got to be an easy solution that is best for minimal air leaks with the adapter we'll need to find. Even if i were to clip the brass fitting from the line, this style 3/8" tube just isn't going to fit into the red plug to 'bottom out' as the manual says. I can see just by eyeballing it that its too wide.

Any suggestions?

- Shawn

« Last Edit: February 09, 2013, 12:42:37 PM by sonicweaponprinting »

Offline ScreenFoo

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They are pretty OK guys, right?

You'd need a bit of 3/8" OD nylon (or polyurethane, in a pinch) air hose and a quick connect fitting--would have female threads like the end of your hose has on one side, and a fitting like on the press on the other--tape up the threads, put the connect on, and push each end of the (squarely cut) hose in each fitting until it bottoms out.

M&R parts or any shop that has a decent amount of pneumatic/hydraulic parts will have this type of stuff.  M&R may be more likely to offer the hose in a non 50 or 100 foot roll.   ;)

Offline 244

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You cannot damage the press with your air pressure. Everything on the press is rated well over 200 psi. 80 to 100 will be fine. There is no CDMA rating as you cannot measure the amount of air needed on a static line. Any compressor or air tank will work fine. Sorry about the delay last time yo tried posting on our site but I believe a couple explanations were posted as to why the delay. It is not the norm for it to take 5 days. Just a FYI.
Sorry about that Rich. I checked back and noticed there was a response. My fault. Also, how impressive is it that I just got a response from the owner himself on a saturday. Service unmatched indeed.

One question still curious about, how can I adapt my current 3/8" airline w/ some sort of adapter to the proper 3/8" tubing thats required. We didn't realize there would have to be an adapter, but figure theres got to be an easy solution that is best for minimal air leaks with the adapter we'll need to find. Even if i were to clip the brass fitting from the line, this style 3/8" tube just isn't going to fit into the red plug to 'bottom out' as the manual says. I can see just by eyeballing it that its too wide.

Any suggestions?

- Shawn
you could unscrew the current fitting and install a quick release air fitting like they use for air lines at tire stores. Just take the fitting with you to Grainger or a place like Home Depot/Lowes/Menards and get the male and female. You must remember that the airline must turn as you rotate the carousel.
Rich Hoffman

Offline sonicweaponprinting

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This is what I ended up doing. Thanks for the advice!