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?
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Re: Shop air compressor lines
Schedule 40 pvc will do what you want. Available at any home improvement or harware store.
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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.
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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. |
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.
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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.
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Re: Shop air compressor lines
I put a aluminum kit in my repair shop 4 years ago with snap together fittings, it was realy slick.. Don,t remember the name but I am sure you could google and find out. Tom
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http://www.eastwood.com/3-4-inch-pro...-line-kit.html |
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Steve, good thread and pretty timely, too. I have been thinking about upgrading the garage utilities. A 100w light bulb doesn't cut it either. What college fund? I didn't see it... |
Re: Shop air compressor lines
I thought I would post again about a lesson I learned today. I had to send my air dryer in to have it fixed from when it was damaged by the tornado. I guess for some dumb reason we used galvanised pipe from the compressor to the dryer and then black pipe in the rest of the shop. Well the galvanised coating has come off all of the inside of the pipe and is now inside the dryer and filters. No idea what its going to cost or how I ended up with galv pipe there but they called me to tell me not to do it again. They said if it was not for the dryer and filter all that crap would have been inside my tools making the snap on man happy for the rebuilding business. Just thought I would share and maybe save someone a headache and money
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Re: Shop air compressor lines
I have schedule 40 PVC in my shop. I have not had any issues with it. It has been in for about 5 years. The only issue would be if I used a lot of volume for a good length of time, moisture would end up in your tools. Moisture condenses in the black pipe and then you can bleed it out. Again, I have not had issues with PVC>
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There's a company out of the Carolinas that specializes in shop air lines and related equipment. Try googling "Prevost" and see what happens. I sell auto body shop supplies, and every time I need to upgrade a shop's air lines, I get in contact with them first. They have some really nice twist connectors to tie pieces of the piping together, or make some sort of a turn around a corner or to an air outlet. Check'em out!
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Shop line pressure is 150#. I would never take a chance on schedule 40 using over 90 # My own shop is piped in galvanized pipe and I've had no issues with rust,but I have several drop legs in the system with drains on them to eliminate condensation in the system. |
Re: Shop air compressor lines
Ok had to jump in on this one, Frank is right , the people in N.C that does the Prevost stuff is We Got Lifts, Google them, they did my Lift, Air Compressor That is realy Quiet and all my air line are Alum piping, very nice for sure, trust me i cost alot more than PVC. i think it was $11.00 a ft installed,i think the pipe alone is $50.00 a stick,than ya have to buy the coupler and fittings.exp.but nice. Prevost it very nice stuff. Brian
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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. |
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.
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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 :) |
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.
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I wouldn't use anything but copper, myself. It can't be more expensive than the "snap together" aluminum stuff, can it? You only need 1/2", or maybe 3/4" if you're running it a long ways. The going rate for 1/2" (wholesale) is less than $2 a foot right now. It won't rust or break, and it makes the job look like you know what you're doing instead of Legos...I may be biased, though, since I'm in the mechanical piping biz.
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Several years ago when I built my shop I bought an Ingersoll Rand compressor. They had a deal that they gave you so much aluminum tubing and compression fittings with the purchase. I ended up buying enough to do my whole shop which is about 3400 sq. ft.. That stuff has worked great and been trouble free.
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We have copper in all our buildings, with shut down valves at various places. No failure in the pipe, but the couplers/hoses give up every so often. Also have automatic drains on each compressor, and drains on all drops on most lines where room allows. I hate to think how much metal we have at today's prices.
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I used Synflex (sp?) , they used it on transport trucks for air brake lines...was user friendly
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/show...ht=monteman454 |
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