From: none@none.com99   
      
   FRL - Common abbreviation for Filter Regular Lubricator.   
      
   The top of the L on the FRL for the power draw bar on my South Bend mill   
   started leaking a while ago. A week or so.  It doesn't stop it from   
   working, but it hisses constantly, and uses a lot of oil.   
      
   A while back I discovered the FRs from HF were better than comparably   
   priced (Jupiter I think) from MSC, but I need an FRL.  I have the old   
   Central Pneumatic filter regulators* on a lot of things around the shop.   
     The only FRL shown on the Harbor Freight website is a **Merlin brand   
   at 100 bucks.  Merlin has been decent in air tool parts, so I was   
   tempted.  It would cost me time to drive into town but I could have had   
   it today (yesterday, or maybe it was Friday).  On the other hand   
   McMaster Carr has one for a few dollars less, it will be delivered on   
   Monday, and I've never gotten a bad part from McMaster.   
      
   * The Central Pneumatic filter regulators are fine, and the filter traps   
   on them are a 4th line of defense.  My compressor air goes through a   
   filter, regulator, air drier, another filter, and then every air drop   
   has a drain valve as the lowest point.  I don't have lab grade air, but   
   its not bad.  I have considered adding a desiccant stack, but then I'd   
   have to plan on a drying regiment.  Maybe a dual desiccant stack with   
   heaters and timers and solenoid valves...  I don't really need lab grade   
   air.   
      
   **  I am sure the Merlin name was picked by Harbor Freight because at a   
   glance some people may confuse it with Milton which is a top name in air   
   accessories.  Merlin has also proven to be a little better than other   
   Harbor Freight air accessories.  Just like they use Central Pneumatic to   
   fool people into thinking if Chicago Pneumatic.  It sounds similar.   
      
   Could I have pieced together something cheaper?  Absolutely.  I could   
   have probably even bought an L and scabbed it onto the FR even cheaper   
   than that.  I waned something decent, and I mitigated the shipping cost   
   by tacking on a couple other things I planned to get from McMaster anyway.   
      
   Sure Harbor Freight is upping their game with their premium brands, but   
   when I can have a quality part delivered next day from a company that   
   will just take care of me without any bullshit if there is any issue at   
   all, they are aren't going to sell me when they are MORE expensive.   
      
   --   
   Bob La Londe   
   CNC Molds N Stuff   
      
      
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