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Air Preparation & Control

Shop compressed air regulators, filters, lubricators and FRL units for clean, controlled air delivery. Untreated compressed air carries moisture and particulates that damage downstream tools and equipment quickly. The products here — filters, regulators, oilers, and combined FRL units — sit between your compressor and your tools to clean the air, set the right pressure, and keep moving parts lubricated. Free delivery on orders over £200 to England and Wales.

  • Filter / Regulator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

    Filter / Regulator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

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  • Regulator - Professional Range Mark 2

    Regulator - Professional Range Mark 2

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  • PCL Air Filter Regulator, Lubricator

    PCL Air Filter Regulator, Lubricator

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  • Filter - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

    Filter - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

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  • PCL Air Filter Regulator

    PCL Air Filter Regulator

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  • In-line Filter / Water Separator

    In-line Filter / Water Separator

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  • Filter / Regulator + Lubricator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

    Filter / Regulator + Lubricator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

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  • Lubricator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

    Lubricator - Professional Range Mark 2 - Semi Auto Drain

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  • REF #3216

    In-line Filter Aluminium

    In-line Filter Aluminium

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  • In-line Brass Flow Regulator

    In-line Brass Flow Regulator

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  • Steel Case Centre Back Gauge - Professional Range Mark 2

    Steel Case Centre Back Gauge - Professional Range Mark 2

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  • Mini In-line Oiler

    Mini In-line Oiler

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  • Connector & Wall Bracket - Professional Range Mark 2

    Connector & Wall Bracket - Professional Range Mark 2

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  • Filter Element - Professional Range Mark 2

    Filter Element - Professional Range Mark 2

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    Neck Bracket - Professional Range Mark 2

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Air preparation and control equipment

Compressed air straight from a piston or screw compressor is warm, wet, and carries oil aerosols from the compression process. Running that directly through air tools shortens their service life and can cause problems in any process where air quality matters. Air preparation equipment fixes that.

A standard FRL unit combines three stages in one body: a filter to remove moisture and particulates, a regulator to set the downstream working pressure, and a lubricator to introduce a controlled oil mist for tool protection. For simpler applications, individual filters or regulators can be used alone. The right configuration depends on the tools and the compressor.

Sizing is governed by the pipe bore at the point of installation and the flow rate the system needs to pass. A 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch BSP unit handles most single-tool workshop applications; multi-drop systems feeding several tools simultaneously need a larger bore unit to avoid a pressure drop. Check the product specifications against your compressor output and the tools you're running.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does an FRL unit do?

FRL stands for Filter, Regulator, Lubricator. The filter removes moisture and particulates from the compressed air supply; the regulator sets the downstream pressure; the lubricator adds a small amount of oil mist to keep pneumatic tools and actuators running smoothly. The three stages are often combined into a single inline unit.

Do I need an air lubricator if I am using air tools?

It depends on the tool. Most rotary air tools — impact wrenches, drills, grinders — benefit from an inline lubricator. Some newer tools are rated for dry air; check the manufacturer's recommendation.

What size FRL unit do I need for my compressor?

FRL units are sized by pipe bore and flow rate. For most workshop compressors and single-tool use, a 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch BSP unit is sufficient. For systems running multiple drops simultaneously, go to 1/2 inch.

Can I mount an air regulator horizontally?

Most regulators can be mounted in any orientation, but check the product data sheet — some bowl-type filters are designed for vertical orientation to drain condensate correctly.

Do you deliver air preparation equipment near me?

We deliver to England and Wales with free delivery on orders over £200.