Comments on: A Snake You Actually Want In Your Shop http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:00:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119311 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:30:23 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119311 My understanding is that these are just silica gel beads, like any other desiccant air dryer, so they can be reactivated by baking to drive the water out. Instructions for the procedure should be included with the device, but they probably go along the lines of "disconnect both ends and place in 200-degree oven for several days", which is how desiccant bags get reactivated. You want to drive the water off without getting hot enough to boil it, which would crack the beads. The difficulty here is that the hose really restricts the diffusion of air while it's disconnected for rejuvenation, so it'll take a long time. Weigh the snake when you first unpack it, then weigh it again after the color-changing tattletale says it's full. While you're baking it, reweigh it every few hours so you know when it's done. Since it'll only soak up a few ounces of water (if that!) per cycle, it's obviously not cost effective until you get a few cycles out of it. The big air dryers used in telecom (for pressurized waveguides and underground cables) have two big columns of silica gel beads with heaters wrapped around 'em, and a whole pile of solenoid valves. While one column is actively drying compressed air, the other is being heated and subjected to a gentle airflow to carry the moisture out. Every few hours or days, they trade roles. My understanding is that these are just silica gel beads, like any other desiccant air dryer, so they can be reactivated by baking to drive the water out. Instructions for the procedure should be included with the device, but they probably go along the lines of “disconnect both ends and place in 200-degree oven for several days”, which is how desiccant bags get reactivated. You want to drive the water off without getting hot enough to boil it, which would crack the beads. The difficulty here is that the hose really restricts the diffusion of air while it’s disconnected for rejuvenation, so it’ll take a long time.

Weigh the snake when you first unpack it, then weigh it again after the color-changing tattletale says it’s full. While you’re baking it, reweigh it every few hours so you know when it’s done. Since it’ll only soak up a few ounces of water (if that!) per cycle, it’s obviously not cost effective until you get a few cycles out of it.

The big air dryers used in telecom (for pressurized waveguides and underground cables) have two big columns of silica gel beads with heaters wrapped around ‘em, and a whole pile of solenoid valves. While one column is actively drying compressed air, the other is being heated and subjected to a gentle airflow to carry the moisture out. Every few hours or days, they trade roles.

]]> by: Stuart Deutsch http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119167 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:09:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119167 I too have used the in-line bulb water filter that Craig mentioned. I wonder if anyone has taken a cross section of this filter to see how effective its separation is. I wonder if this "snake" requires maintenance to remove any collected water. I too have used the in-line bulb water filter that Craig mentioned. I wonder if anyone has taken a cross section of this filter to see how effective its separation is. I wonder if this “snake” requires maintenance to remove any collected water.

]]> by: Craig http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119146 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 01:35:42 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119146 Hmm, never used one of these. The only thing I've ever used is a water separator. Basically, it's just a clear reservoir that plumbs inline, and has a nipple on the bottom to drain the water. Not sure how efficient it is, honestly, but I've never had a problem with my air tools or the like (in Louisiana). Hmm, never used one of these. The only thing I’ve ever used is a water separator. Basically, it’s just a clear reservoir that plumbs inline, and has a nipple on the bottom to drain the water.

Not sure how efficient it is, honestly, but I’ve never had a problem with my air tools or the like (in Louisiana).

]]> by: PutnamEco http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119008 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 18:39:22 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/09/17/a-snake-you-actually-want-in-your-shop/#comment-119008 I've always wondered if they are reusable. What happens when they become saturated? I know with all the humidity down here (Fl) they would become damp quite quickly. I’ve always wondered if they are reusable. What happens when they become saturated?
I know with all the humidity down here (Fl) they would become damp quite quickly.

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