Air hose size ??

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I plan to finally move my air compressor plumbing from the old garage to the new. While I'm at it I need to fix a few things.

First is to replace the 3/8" line that goes from the compressor to the 3/4" copper piping with a 3/4" hose. I can't believe I actually did this. :banghead:

Second is to make sure I use the right size hoses. I currently use 3/8" hose for everything but am considering changing the hoses that run my air tools to 1/2" but leaving the ones for spraying at 3/8". Or should I just change all my hoses to 1/2"??

I also need to change my regulator/filter from a 3/8" to 1/2" to allow for more air flow.

Any other comments would be appreciated. Weather should start to cool off here in central Florida and I want to have my air system all set up when it does.

[JRouche]

I have copper line all throughout the garage. Spigots every spot in the garage. I use 1/4" hose for all my air tools. Then I have a 1/2" hose going to the sand blaster cabinet. 1/2" even 3/8" hose is large. I dont see the need for anything larger than 1/4" hose. I have a large desiccant drier for spraying paint. Its also plumbed with 1/4" hose. JR

[The WidowMaker]

i use 1/2" for spraying. my in-gun regulator doesnt fluctuate as much from on and off trigger with the larger hose.

[justasquid]

I use 1/2 line from the compressor to all of my quick connects in the garage. I have 4 at different locations. From there, I have 3/8 connectors for 3/8 line use. It may be small point, but the larger the hose you use up to any restriction, will allow for more uninterupted air flow. It allows for more air storage. You have to keep in mind that most, if not all of your connectors leading into your air tools are rather small, so there is quite a restriction there, but it does help to have more volume up to that point. I use to work installing air and water plumbing in factories. We used rather large pipe for the runs across the shop for this reason. Of course, the compressors were on one side of the shop and the machines on the other, so the pipe acted as storage tanks of compressed air. But the same rule applies in your garage, even if its on a smaller level, it still makes a difference to have more volume readily available closer to your tool.

If it were me, I'd keep all of your tool lines at 3/8, and all of your runs to the quick connects the 3/4 they are now. Unless you have air tools that require 1/2 inch lines, but keep in mind, most do not. However, if I had to use a hose and the distance was 100 feet or more, I'd switch to a 1/2 hose. keeping in mind that the connector from the wall would have to be switched to a larger dia connector as well.

[parsonsj]

I used 1" copper tube for my runs from compressor to the drop points, and then 3/4" and 1/2" tube for the connections to the filters and regulators. Then I use 3/8" hose and adapters for my tools.

jp