Just a quick question to see what you guys are using to plumb your garages for compressed air. I need to do it on the cheap. An aquaintance of mine used pvc pipe....dont know if its safe but its cheap! any ideas? Its for a 60x40 shop
Plumbing for air
- Thread starter SledHed75
- Start date
Anyone? i need to start buying the stuff pretty soon.
1/2" Schedule 40 PVC has a max working pressure of 600lbs.
some tricks I have heard are to use galvinized or black pipe - cheaper. I had 20 sticks of galvinized an my buddy plumed his garage with no problems 4-5 years ago.
but I understand its a bit more complicated to do correctly than most realize. From what I have read you should for a loop around your garage. basically a "T" out of the compressor one side goes around the garage and back into the other side.
In doing this the airflow to multiple tools is increased. I dont think its a big deal if you only run one tool at a time.
spomey
but I understand its a bit more complicated to do correctly than most realize. From what I have read you should for a loop around your garage. basically a "T" out of the compressor one side goes around the garage and back into the other side.
In doing this the airflow to multiple tools is increased. I dont think its a big deal if you only run one tool at a time.
spomey
Being a plumbing contractor, I'm asked the same question from time to time. I recommend black steel or copper but if a DIY'er insists on plastic pipe, I try talking him into Sch. 80 pipe. I've seen it done with Sch. 40 pipe but it scarce me to death. I haven't found a pipe company yet that will sign off on plastic pipe for air systems.
Pex
pex pipe light,flexible,wont grenade when cold, I just did my whole cabinet shop my plumber loaned me the expensive tool, gave me some pointers. 40 x 28 two hours and it was done!! I"ve got a cheap tool I"ll loan you to do it with! uses 1/2 or 3/4 ...
pex pipe light,flexible,wont grenade when cold, I just did my whole cabinet shop my plumber loaned me the expensive tool, gave me some pointers. 40 x 28 two hours and it was done!! I"ve got a cheap tool I"ll loan you to do it with! uses 1/2 or 3/4 ...
I would never used PVC....over time it looses strength and becomes more brittle. I've seen one system fail and it wasn't good. A buddy had PVC in his shop and one day it exploded. Sent slivers of plastic everywhere....lucky for me I was behind a truck, but he had had to pull two good size slivers out of his arm. Guaranteed it could take an eye out or kill somebody.
A hose across the floor?
x 2
copper NO plastic.
thats what i have right now but i want to get away from using 50 feet of hose and not have anything longer than 25. I hate winding up air hose, so i would like to make it so i can work anywhere in the shop with only 25 feet. it kinda sounds like iron or copper is the way to goA hose across the floor?
B
big_wally81
Active member
i think the pvc is a bad idea, most of the sch 40 stuff that i have seen is rated for 160 psi and pex is rated lower than that. i would use copper or steel.
use galvinized or copper if you can...think compressed air = moisture = rust....
larger diameter maintains pressure on long runs.
larger diameter maintains pressure on long runs.
Lots of different ideas for lots of different applications & budgets.
I prefer black screw pipe.
Remember moisture elimination valves below all of your couplers......and use them.
Where ever you need a coupler, use a "T" instead for future flexibility.
As someone stated earlier, run a complete loop around shop perimeter.
If that is not practical, add storage at far end. (like the tank from an old compressor)
Look at as many systems as possible & ask owners what they would do differently.
I prefer black screw pipe.
Remember moisture elimination valves below all of your couplers......and use them.
Where ever you need a coupler, use a "T" instead for future flexibility.
As someone stated earlier, run a complete loop around shop perimeter.
If that is not practical, add storage at far end. (like the tank from an old compressor)
Look at as many systems as possible & ask owners what they would do differently.
I used copper pipe. What ever you use, make sure you design your runs to catch moisture before you run into the air lines. Water will condensate in the plumbing.
I was always told to use black pipe rather than galv. pipe. The galv. coating can flake off and get into air tools. Black pipe will be cheaper than galv. We've had black pipe in our shop for close to 40 yrs. with no dryers and no problems. We just blow the petcock on the bottom of the tank once in awhile to clear the moisture.
