compressed air hardline

[ct08]

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

[meenaggie]

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.

[parsonsj]

I use copper tube. Nearly as easy as PVC and ABS, though you do need to sweat the joints.

jp

[Roger M]

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.

[toxicz28]

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.

[Charley Lillard]

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.

[oestek]

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.

[GetMore]

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.

[Bow Tie 67]

I have used it, its rated for 300 psi, my set-up is 14 years old with no issues.

[rubadub]

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.

[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.....

[rubadub]

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

[LowBuckX]

its used for power steering and outomatic trans lines 3000 psi burst pressure (fluid)

[rubadub]

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.

[LSXfan]

whats the diameter of it

-8 AN = 1/2"

[Jim Nilsen]

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

[daredvl22]

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,

[brans72]

I used black pipe and threaded it myself. I wanna thanks Rubadub for all the help!!!!!

[PhillipM]

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

[jonesmoto]

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!!!!!!!!!!!