Shop air compressor lines

CycloneFE · 01-23-2012, 11:37 PM

What do you use for air lines in the shop, like a permanent wall mounted line? I have seen systems that press and slip fit and claim 300 to 400 burst psi. If plastic is used, is it tough to "straighten" out and look good or does it wave a lot? Would black pipe be best? What does the racer say?

Mike Pearson · 01-25-2012, 04:58 PM

Schedule 40 pvc will do what you want. Available at any home improvement or harware store.

Rob Petrie E395 · 01-25-2012, 06:44 PM

The problem with PVC is not that it can fail its what happens if it does fail. Go over to the Eastwood shop talk site and search "PVC air lines are deadly" for a story of what can happen. For the record mine has steel pipe in it. A little more expensive and a little more time to install but one less thing for me to worry about.

CycloneFE · 01-25-2012, 09:03 PM

I have done some "googling" and found a lot more. Plastic and PVC probably just fine for average air stuff, but if you want to really move some air for some heavy tools or blasting, the required PSI may cause failure in the plastic. The iron pipe has been warned of rust, but isn't that what you have drain valves for? Copper has a major cost factor, and I know as I have just finished putting my plumbing in using copper.

I guess the air line looks like a nice early summer project. Feel free to add any more ideas or situations you have, I like listening to people who really do this sort of thing.

pmrphil · 01-25-2012, 10:47 PM

Just plumbed my shop over the holidays, used white PVC, looks and works just fine. Yes, kinda low air usage and only run about 95lbs. line pressure. Very pleased.

Mike Pearson · 01-26-2012, 10:31 AM

There is also schedule 80 pvc pipe available. It is quite a bit thicker and has a higher pressure rating. This is available at most plumbing supply dealers. Schedule 80 pvc is a dark gray color. This would be a great choice for higher pressure applications.

Ken Miele · 03-11-2012, 09:36 AM

Hey Steve,

I can't believe I missed this thread, anyway I just upgrade my air lines. I have been meaning to finish my shop and never seem to find the time. I used the RapidAir system. It was very easy to install, but you will have to lay the tubing out in the sun to get it to straighten out. In can be tough to get a straight look.

Fortunately I ran mine behind the walls. I think for the money its is an excellent product, made in the USA. The have many different kits available for higher pressure. The system I used is rated 150 psi, more than enough for what I use it for. There are other systems that are similar, but are made in china, and the quality is not there.

I'm not a big fan of black pipe, I don't like the look, but it is the most economical.

CycloneFE · 03-11-2012, 10:28 AM

Thanks Ken and all who have posted, there is so much more than I even dreamed about. I am going to look harder at what and where I place my stuff before deciding. I do appreciate ALL who have had a comment and still appreciate any more in the future.

Marine One · 04-14-2012, 01:56 PM

I have about 75 feet of sched 40 PVC (2.5" diam) in my shop. It has been there for 10+ years without incident. I regulate the pressure to about 105 psi. Use good stuff, put some drop legs in with drain valves, etc.

Like everything - Proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance. Learned that in the Corps

Harry 6674 · 07-12-2012, 10:58 AM

There is not a worst material to use for compressed air then pvc. The stuff will hold shop air pressures but it doesn't take much of an impact to rupture like a gernade. Shrapnel everywhere. I know this for a fact. Use something else. Copper,steel,aluminum,dot air line anything but pvc. There are pvc like air rated pipe but it is very expensive and uses a special glue. The stuff we use where I work is blue. Its called dura-pipe.

01-23-2012, 11:37 PM	#1
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Shop air compressor lines What do you use for air lines in the shop, like a permanent wall mounted line? I have seen systems that press and slip fit and claim 300 to 400 burst psi. If plastic is used, is it tough to "straighten" out and look good or does it wave a lot? Would black pipe be best? What does the racer say? __________________ Steve Jackson

01-25-2012, 04:58 PM	#2
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,321 Likes: 546 Liked 1,629 Times in 502 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines Schedule 40 pvc will do what you want. Available at any home improvement or harware store. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

01-25-2012, 06:44 PM	#3
Rob Petrie E395 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Woodlawn IL Posts: 1,093 Likes: 162 Liked 220 Times in 79 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines The problem with PVC is not that it can fail its what happens if it does fail. Go over to the Eastwood shop talk site and search "PVC air lines are deadly" for a story of what can happen. For the record mine has steel pipe in it. A little more expensive and a little more time to install but one less thing for me to worry about.

01-25-2012, 09:03 PM	#4
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines I have done some "googling" and found a lot more. Plastic and PVC probably just fine for average air stuff, but if you want to really move some air for some heavy tools or blasting, the required PSI may cause failure in the plastic. The iron pipe has been warned of rust, but isn't that what you have drain valves for? Copper has a major cost factor, and I know as I have just finished putting my plumbing in using copper. I guess the air line looks like a nice early summer project. Feel free to add any more ideas or situations you have, I like listening to people who really do this sort of thing. __________________ Steve Jackson

01-25-2012, 10:47 PM	#5
pmrphil Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CT Posts: 386 Likes: 1,257 Liked 248 Times in 107 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines Just plumbed my shop over the holidays, used white PVC, looks and works just fine. Yes, kinda low air usage and only run about 95lbs. line pressure. Very pleased. __________________ Phil Molski S/C 1623

01-26-2012, 10:31 AM	#6
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,321 Likes: 546 Liked 1,629 Times in 502 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines There is also schedule 80 pvc pipe available. It is quite a bit thicker and has a higher pressure rating. This is available at most plumbing supply dealers. Schedule 80 pvc is a dark gray color. This would be a great choice for higher pressure applications. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

03-11-2012, 09:36 AM	#7
Ken Miele Live Reporter Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 4,567 Likes: 350 Liked 13,127 Times in 1,235 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines Hey Steve, I can't believe I missed this thread, anyway I just upgrade my air lines. I have been meaning to finish my shop and never seem to find the time. I used the RapidAir system. It was very easy to install, but you will have to lay the tubing out in the sun to get it to straighten out. In can be tough to get a straight look. Fortunately I ran mine behind the walls. I think for the money its is an excellent product, made in the USA. The have many different kits available for higher pressure. The system I used is rated 150 psi, more than enough for what I use it for. There are other systems that are similar, but are made in china, and the quality is not there. I'm not a big fan of black pipe, I don't like the look, but it is the most economical.

03-11-2012, 10:28 AM	#8
CycloneFE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Decatur Illinois Posts: 634 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines Thanks Ken and all who have posted, there is so much more than I even dreamed about. I am going to look harder at what and where I place my stuff before deciding. I do appreciate ALL who have had a comment and still appreciate any more in the future. __________________ Steve Jackson

04-14-2012, 01:56 PM	#9
Marine One Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 69 Likes: 1 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines I have about 75 feet of sched 40 PVC (2.5" diam) in my shop. It has been there for 10+ years without incident. I regulate the pressure to about 105 psi. Use good stuff, put some drop legs in with drain valves, etc. Like everything - Proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance. Learned that in the Corps __________________ Chad Sheets \| STK 319 \| 10.69 \| 1.39

07-12-2012, 10:58 AM	#10
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Shop air compressor lines There is not a worst material to use for compressed air then pvc. The stuff will hold shop air pressures but it doesn't take much of an impact to rupture like a gernade. Shrapnel everywhere. I know this for a fact. Use something else. Copper,steel,aluminum,dot air line anything but pvc. There are pvc like air rated pipe but it is very expensive and uses a special glue. The stuff we use where I work is blue. Its called dura-pipe.