1/2" copper air lines
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1/2" copper air lines
I have a few coils of 1/2" copper tubing I was planning on running to distribute my compressed air around my shop. With the maximum run being about 35 feet from the storage tank, what kind of CFM limitation would I be looking at with a working pressure of 90-100 psi?
Fleet Mechanic
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From: SE Iowa
I would NOT use flexible copper tubing for air lines. That stuff has pretty thin wall if memory serves. spend some money and buy type L tubing. It thick wall stuff that will hold its own. Also use 95/5 tin solder or copper brazing alloys. Do a topic search. This has been discussed so much there are TONS of threads.
Stryder
Stryder
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For air lines you need type K or L 3/4" or 1" tubing K is heavier but harder to find. You then come to the fun part of this you need to silver braze the copper tubing so the tube joints do not experience a fatigue failure under load.
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From: MI
Originally Posted by stryder
I would NOT use flexible copper tubing for air lines. That stuff has pretty thin wall if memory serves. spend some money and buy type L tubing. It thick wall stuff that will hold its own. Also use 95/5 tin solder or copper brazing alloys.
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Thanks for all the useful information. I am still curious if I will be limiting myself for future use by only running a 1/2" line across my shop.
Given a 35' run of 1/2", what would be the approximate limit of CFM? - I am not having much luck finding this info with the search feature.
-Missalot
Given a 35' run of 1/2", what would be the approximate limit of CFM? - I am not having much luck finding this info with the search feature.
-Missalot
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Posting Guru
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From: Northwest Fl
I can't give a "CFM' answer but I can say that I also used 1/2" hard copper after removing pvc pipe and ran it across three 12' bays and down both walls (approx 45'). I painted my truck, using a Devilbiss plus HVLP paint gun on the longest leg, without any problems and I routinely use air tools on that drop without any concerns.
Last edited by Huntsman; Oct 24, 2005 at 02:08 PM.
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From: Santa Clarita
I'm running PVC in my garage (OK, stop throwing things at me). I've never had a problem with air lines. I run about 120 psi of air daily. I noticed the Goodyear tire and several repair stall near me also run the PVC pipe. Mines been in the garage for about 5 years now.
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From: Racine county, WI
Originally Posted by Maxium4x4
PVC is an explosion waiting to happen. If it kills or injures anyone, you knew it from the start.
As far as the 1/2in flex copper, sweat the joints and you'll have no problems. Even a proper brass compression fitting will work fine. 1/2in is plenty big for the cfm you need in a 35ft run.
Posting Guru
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From: Oregon
I've done searches all over the internet and it's hard to believe people still use pvc. The thickness of the pvc isn't the problem, it's the chemical make up of the stuff. The process they use to make pvc flexable, so you can bend it around in ditches, is the reason it will come apart and blow shrapnel. It's chemistry. Check out the FAQ at the top of this forum. Lots of good info.
The chart I have lists 1/2" steel pipe good for 50' at 20 cfm. I imagine your copper will be fine at 35'. (Remember the figures on these tables don't take any bends into account.)
The chart I have lists 1/2" steel pipe good for 50' at 20 cfm. I imagine your copper will be fine at 35'. (Remember the figures on these tables don't take any bends into account.)
Posting Legend
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imlowr2 & OSin86- Now that you have posted here and left a "paper trail" and anyone is injured you have a real problem when the legal dogs get you... Get rid of the PVC. It is the MATERIAL that is dangerous not the thickness. Contact the PVC manufacturers.
A transmission shop near me runs PVC and had a line blow in the middle of the night when nobody was around. They repaired it with more PVC...
A transmission shop near me runs PVC and had a line blow in the middle of the night when nobody was around. They repaired it with more PVC...
Last edited by Torque1st; Oct 25, 2005 at 12:08 AM.
Posting Guru
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From: Sapulpa OK
Any compressed air system will expand and contract as pressure rises and falls. This fatigues the pipe and eventually leads to failure even in an iron piped system. The life cycle of PVC under these conditions is miniscule compared to iron or copper. When it does let go it usually is catastrophic. Someone could easily get hurt!
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For my 2 cents worth, use either threaded steel pipe or stainless steel tubing with compression fittings(for its strength over copper) or a combination of the both. If you put low point drains/blow downs in the line and then at the end, you can keep what moisture does get in there blown out. Should last a lifetime done this way with no safety concern.
