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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Feb 2008
      Location
      va
      Posts
      85

      compressed air hardline

      Has anyone used abs or pvc to hard line compressed air in the garage or shop?



    2. #2
      Join Date
      Apr 2005
      Posts
      413
      Country Flag: China
      I have used schd 40 PVC in my garage with success. Small diameters (<1") are plenty for the flow and pressure rating of most all home use compressors (even larger 240V units). Some air compressor manufacturers recommend against this as they indicate the lubricants used in the compressor will degrade the PVC over time. I have a drier installed on the outlet to minimize oil and moisture carryover. I manage this by lubricating my tools every time I use them. I have carbon steel pipe at the quick connects and drops to give me something solid to anchor the lines to the wall with. PVC needs support every ~5 ft versus ~10+ with carbon steel. I have a flexible lead in line to isolate the PVC from the vibration of the compressor which also made it a lot easir to hook up. PM me if you want some pictures.

      Disclaimer: The real concern is PVC is brittle and compressed air stores a lot of energy. If it does go it won't be good. Remember its primary use is for liquid which is not compressable.

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Jun 2001
      Location
      Orlando, FL
      Posts
      10,604
      Country Flag: United States
      I use copper tube. Nearly as easy as PVC and ABS, though you do need to sweat the joints.

      jp
      John Parsons

      UnRivaled Rides -- Modern upgrades for your ride.

      UnRivaled Rides recent project -- LS9-powered 69 Camaro

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Aug 2007
      Location
      Snohomish,Wa.
      Posts
      364
      Quote Originally Posted by parsonsj
      I use copper tube. Nearly as easy as PVC and ABS, though you do need to sweat the joints.

      jp
      Co signed

      I used copper as well. If you use plastic, make sure it is rated for the pressure.
      Roger

    5. #5
      Join Date
      Mar 2005
      Location
      NY
      Posts
      1,097
      Quote Originally Posted by meenaggie
      Disclaimer: The real concern is PVC is brittle and compressed air stores a lot of energy. If it does go it won't be good. Remember its primary use is for liquid which is not compressable.
      Just to add to this. When plastic piping fails, it will send shrapnel all over your shop.
      The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Aug 2001
      Posts
      924
      Country Flag: United States
      And the shrapnel will not show up on Xrays. I just replaced my PVC setup in my big shop with copper pipe. I have PVC in my other shop but it is in the wall. If it bursts it will be contained. A friend has it in his large shop. It is usually the joints that fail. If you must use it at least wrap it with duct tape or something to contain the shrapnel a little.

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Dec 2004
      Location
      Midwest
      Posts
      2,263
      Country Flag: United States
      We ran the Ingersall Rand SimplAir extruded aluminum pipe with the quick-connects / disconnects... super easy to use, rated for the pressure, and easy to mount and hang.
      Kevin Oeste
      V8 Speed and Resto Shop
      V8TV
      Muscle Car Of The Week
      V8 Radio Podcast

      All about us:
      https://www.v8speedshop.com


    8. #8
      Join Date
      Aug 2005
      Location
      Patterson, NY
      Posts
      784
      I have installed PVC pipe in a friend's shop, and AFAIK he hasn't had any problems, but from what I've read (maybe here) it's a bit dangerous.

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Jun 2006
      Location
      NW burbs IL
      Posts
      1,732
      I have used it, its rated for 300 psi, my set-up is 14 years old with no issues.
      Matt


      Current project: " Chain Reaction "

      A.K.A. " BIG " by wife, biatch in garage.

      1969 RS Camaro L92 T56 Quadra-link, CW sub, Ford 9" a progressive build.

      Ex track car: 1995 Camaro LS1 T56

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Sep 2007
      Location
      Two Rivers, Wi.
      Posts
      95
      Heres a drawing if it will help.

      http://www.1969supersport.com/draw1.html

      Plastic pipe can weaken from contamination getting inside of it, and if you bump it, it could explode, if it breaks it could whip around something like an air hose.

      I have read some where that if you use copper pipe and have a fire it could heat up the connections, then when it lets loose it will fan the fire.

      Galvanized pipe has what you call galvanization that could get into your filters.

      Black pipe will rust inside, but it cools good, and if you run inline filters, you won't have a problem.

      I have spent about 3000 hours reading about air lines on a dozen car forums in the last year and a half, I'm retired I find it interesting reading, yeah I know what your thinking, I need to get a life, your probably right, but i'm just telling you what I have found out.

      So black pipe, 3/4'' will work good and run a minimum of 50' before it goes into the first in line filter, the warm air out of the compressor will be cooled by then and turn to water, then your filters can capture it.

      60' or 70' is better yet.

      You want to run your air lines so you can run a pressurized sandblaster pot, if you can go through a 1000 lbs of sand without back flushing, then you will never have a problem with water getting to your paint gun.

      Yes, I run black pipe and i'm blowing my own horn here, but if you run those airlines right, you won't have any problems.

      Tp tools has some information on running air lines and what type of pipe to run, these guys sell a lot of blasters and air related stuff, they understand the program, check out there technical tips on what they recommend, its black pipe and they tell you why.

      I'll put up a couple of pictures of my setup, its just like the drawing. http://www.1969supersport.com/paintroom21.html

      I guess it wouldn't hurt to mention you won't need an air dryer or a dessicant can with this set up.
      "There are questions to be answered, and answers to be questioned"


      Jigs, sandblasting, shop, paintroom, rotisserie, pictures, little bit of everything.
      http://www.1969supersport.com

    11. #11
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Posts
      2,413
      I have 100 Ft of 8AN Teflon lined stainless braided that I retreived from a scrap bin that I will berunning for air line..... tryed to sell it but cant give itaway for some reason.....
      Nothing says "I built this" better than tool marks and dykem blue..

      Follow my 3 link build. https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=61592

    12. #12
      Join Date
      Sep 2007
      Location
      Two Rivers, Wi.
      Posts
      95
      Quote Originally Posted by LowBuckX
      I have 100 Ft of 8AN Teflon lined stainless braided that I retreived from a scrap bin that I will berunning for air line..... tryed to sell it but cant give itaway for some reason.....
      You sure can't beat free air lines, but it wouldn't hurt to see how much pressure it can take and if it is safe to use it for compressed air.

      Also I would see if you're going to get any separation inside the line, like letting loose and getting stuck in your in line filters. Also if anything else coming out of the compressor will compromise the integrity of it, like compressor oil blowby or whatever, its hard to say, I'm just guessing here, but cover all your bases.

      Air compressors and air lines can be dangerous, so use caution, and if its okay let us know.
      I assume its somewhat flexible, and if it breaks and starts whipping around, that wouldn't be to good a deal.

      Rob
      "There are questions to be answered, and answers to be questioned"


      Jigs, sandblasting, shop, paintroom, rotisserie, pictures, little bit of everything.
      http://www.1969supersport.com

    13. #13
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Posts
      2,413
      its used for power steering and outomatic trans lines 3000 psi burst pressure (fluid)
      Nothing says "I built this" better than tool marks and dykem blue..

      Follow my 3 link build. https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=61592

    14. #14
      Join Date
      Sep 2007
      Location
      Two Rivers, Wi.
      Posts
      95
      Quote Originally Posted by LowBuckX
      its used for power steering and outomatic trans lines 3000 psi burst pressure (fluid)
      No doubt she'll take the pressure, whats the diameter of it, it needs to be big enough to aid in the cooling of the hot air, and see if you can find out how it disperses heat.
      "There are questions to be answered, and answers to be questioned"


      Jigs, sandblasting, shop, paintroom, rotisserie, pictures, little bit of everything.
      http://www.1969supersport.com

    15. #15
      Join Date
      Sep 2008
      Location
      Kathleen, GA
      Posts
      159
      Quote Originally Posted by rubadub
      whats the diameter of it
      -8 AN = 1/2"

    16. #16
      Join Date
      Apr 2001
      Location
      Rockford Illinois
      Posts
      3,949
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by LowBuckX
      I have 100 Ft of 8AN Teflon lined stainless braided that I retreived from a scrap bin that I will berunning for air line..... tryed to sell it but cant give itaway for some reason.....
      God wants you to have the most beautiful and safest airline possible for no more cost than the fittings

    17. #17
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Atlanta, GA
      Posts
      431
      Country Flag: United States
      Has anyone here tried the RapidAir system? Eastwood sells a kit w/ just about everything you need for a garage. I'm thinking about going ths route due to ease of use and the ability to expand fairly easily. What do you guys think? Here's the link to their web site.

      http://www.rapidairproducts.com/distributors/

      Thanks,
      Dave

      1972 Nova
      1967 RS/SS Camaro - current project

    18. #18
      Join Date
      Oct 2008
      Location
      Durham,NC
      Posts
      664
      Country Flag: United States
      I used black pipe and threaded it myself. I wanna thanks Rubadub for all the help!!!!!

    19. #19
      Join Date
      May 2001
      Location
      Mesa, Az.
      Posts
      1,434
      Country Flag: United States
      Please don't use PVC for airlines as it is extremley dangerous. All it takes is a mop head or something similar to bumb the pipe to cause it to rupture.

      http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
      Phillip
      64 Studebaker Daytona Twin Turbo- http://bit.ly/1SgxQ0g
      65 Cutlass F-85 - http://bit.ly/1W4lJm4

    20. #20
      Join Date
      Aug 2008
      Location
      Utah
      Posts
      65
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by PhillipM View Post
      Please don't use PVC for airlines as it is extremley dangerous. All it takes is a mop head or something similar to bumb the pipe to cause it to rupture.

      http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
      I have to agree. I had installed schedule 40 pipe in my shop about 5 years ago and needless to say just a couple of weeks ago I had a 90 degree fitting burst! Talk about scaring the living s*** out of me!!! I now have copper tubing. Three words,

      DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!
      Tim Jones

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