Motorguard 396-M-26-Kit Sub-Micronic Compressed Air Filter - 1/4 NPT Clean Air Filtration System for Pneumatic Tools & Industrial Equipment

The filter arrived just minutes ago, so this isn't a performance review. First impression is very good. The aluminum casting is excellent. The bosses for the 1/4" air line fittings are adequate, but if you like to over-torque fittings, you could crack these. The mounting lugs on the bottom are also OK, but a shop gorilla could also break these. Just be reasonable. The top screw is smooth and will clamp the seal into oblivion if you overdo it.The housing seals with a square-section o-ring, like a spin-on oil filter. There's a groove in the lower half and a flat surface on the top. My example is true and should seal fine.The "toilet-paper-like" filter is not like toilet paper at all. They call it cellulose, and it feels something like Styrofoam. It is far more substantial than tissue paper. I cannot imagine putting a roll of toilet paper in my air supply to become soggy and shed lint into tools, paint guns, or plasma cutter, no matter the cost savings. Isn't this why I bought a filter in the first place?Researching a Motor Guard filter was confusing, honestly a big waste of time. Their marketing department must stay up nights dreaming up ways to repackage the three particulate/moisture filters they make. Here's what I've concluded, based on Motor Guard's own published facts, not rumor:The M-26 and M-30 filters are identical, including the mounting bracket--the bracket has the same part number for each. The M-26, advertised for plasma cutters, seems to have two more bolts and two more nuts included for attachment to the plasma cutter cabinet. End of story. Did that deserve a separate model number? The M-30, for wall or bench mounting, seems to expect you to choose your own two hardware pieces for the wall. Both have 1/4" NPT fittings on the bottom; rated 45 [email protected] M-40 is a higher flow filter, 3/8" NPT fittings, 60 SCFM@80PSI. It has inline air fittings on top.The M-60 is the highest flow, 1/2" NPT fittings, 100 SCFM@80PSI. Inline fittings on top.ALL FOUR FILTERS USE THE SAME FILTER ELEMENT, M-723.I bought the M-26-KIT, but still wasn't quite sure what I was going to get. It has the apparent two extra nuts and bolts over the M-30 spec (and the bracket, of course), and the kit came with THREE filter elements--one installed in the housing, plus two extras wrapped in plastic, just like the picture of the display box suggests...but that could have been a cardboard riser holding up one spare filter.There is an M-45-KIT. M-45? What's THAT? It's actually an M-30 housing with a total of three filter elements. Since the M-26 and M-30 are identical, I believe this means that the only difference between an M-26-KIT and an M-45-KIT is two bolts and two nuts. Or it may come with pepperoni.And of course, you want to name the exact same housing/bracket *both* M-26 and M-30, then name the kits M-26 and M-45 respectively, just to keep customers happy. "Hi. I'm John, and Henry. Yes, please, I'd like to order an M-26-30-45 thingy with fries, and can you super size that, but use the same size cup?" Just call it a 1/4" Motor Guard Kit and throw the two extra fasteners in every box. Or leave them out.This was a lot of work.