Slow bleeder for an air compressor

I always drain my compressor at the end of the day so that water doesn’t stand in the tank and the hoses aren’t endlessly under pressure. I installed an automatic drain valve in the tank, which opens when the pressure drops to less than 8 psi. That takes care of the water. The issue is how to bleed the air gradually, without the hose whipping around or emitting great blasts of air that scare the dog.

The drawing at right illustrates a little gadget that I devised to solve the problem. It’s a quick-change air coupler with a notch ground into its threaded nipple and a 1/4-in. threaded cap. The cap covers most of the coupler’s threaded nipple, but not the slot ground into the side of the nipple.

At the end of the day, I uncouple my nail gun from its hose and pop this gadget into its place. In about 20 minutes, the 22-gal. tank is no longer under pressure, and any moisture is free to evacuate.

Stephen Miller, Oakland, CA