air related question
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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air related question
recently i baught a 60gallon husky air compressor. now it may seem stupid to some but i don't have a garage so its sitting in my basement and a run a 100ft of hose out to a tarp shelter where i am doing all the body work on my car. now what i want to do is run a fixed line along the wall and through frame of a basment door (just haing a quick connector on the outside) now ive see the lines in shops and what not. just knida wondering what material it is or if there is some kind of a diy kit i can use.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
I would use steel pipe. Plastic is asking for trouble. Make sure you put a water trap in it at the line low point in the basement, and another one out in the enclosure to catch anything that condenses out on the trip out there.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 139
Likes: 1
From: Warrenton, VA
Turdfire - you're a man after my own heart - doing whatever it take to do what you like.
STAY AWAY FROM PLASTIC - there may be specialty plastics that can be used for air lines, but anything you buy at Home Depot or Lowes in the plumbing aisle is NOT good for compressed air. If you search, you will find people that use it anyway and swear by it but you will also find a lot of reasons why it is not the best idea.
Steel pipe is always a good choice but it can be a major PITA to work, especially if you don't have the threading dies and have to keep depending on Home Depot to thread it for you. Be sure you put good filters/dryers on the gun-end of the run and I'd keep the air hose used for painting dedicated to that task if you are also going to use unfiltered air for other jobs. You don't want to blow crap into your air line that will eventually work it's way out to the finish.
Another alternative would be copper, depending on whether you'd rather chase threads or sweat joints. I'd use type L copper - it will be printed on the pipe - if you decide to go that way.
Good luck,
Rob
STAY AWAY FROM PLASTIC - there may be specialty plastics that can be used for air lines, but anything you buy at Home Depot or Lowes in the plumbing aisle is NOT good for compressed air. If you search, you will find people that use it anyway and swear by it but you will also find a lot of reasons why it is not the best idea.
Steel pipe is always a good choice but it can be a major PITA to work, especially if you don't have the threading dies and have to keep depending on Home Depot to thread it for you. Be sure you put good filters/dryers on the gun-end of the run and I'd keep the air hose used for painting dedicated to that task if you are also going to use unfiltered air for other jobs. You don't want to blow crap into your air line that will eventually work it's way out to the finish.
Another alternative would be copper, depending on whether you'd rather chase threads or sweat joints. I'd use type L copper - it will be printed on the pipe - if you decide to go that way.
Good luck,
Rob
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
One type of plastic that might work is dedicated plastic air line. You can get it at pretty much any truck repair shop. It's used in air brake systems, comes in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 5/8 inch sizes, and uses compression fittings. You can use adapters to go from compression fittings to npt for the quick connect. Not sure of the price though, that's not my department.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,514
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
synflex is VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
i used black steel gas pipe. it is cost effective. you can get it in any home improvement store, and it comes in sizes from 3 inches to 10 foot.
1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe, and a few fittings to connect it and make corners, and a roll of pipe strapping with a few screws, and you are set.
by using a larger pipe size, the pipe also acts as a tank reservoir for added tank capacity.
my garage is plumbed with 1 inch pipe.
i used black steel gas pipe. it is cost effective. you can get it in any home improvement store, and it comes in sizes from 3 inches to 10 foot.
1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe, and a few fittings to connect it and make corners, and a roll of pipe strapping with a few screws, and you are set.
by using a larger pipe size, the pipe also acts as a tank reservoir for added tank capacity.
my garage is plumbed with 1 inch pipe.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Black pipe is the standard called for in most building codes. It is simple to work with. Plan out your installation and make a list of the fittings you think you will need then add an assortment of other sizes. Get the parts, put the pipe together with paste type pipe dope. DO NOT use generic Teflon tape or you will be chasing leaks for years. When you are finished take the extra fittings back for a refund.
Use large diameter quick connects and a large diameter hose to run any distance.
Use large diameter quick connects and a large diameter hose to run any distance.
Last edited by Torque1st; Mar 14, 2007 at 04:09 PM.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Watertraps work only so well.
Make sure the solid line is attached so it can be drained at a slight angle with draincock after use.
Don't want the pipe rusting up inside.
Make sure the solid line is attached so it can be drained at a slight angle with draincock after use.
Don't want the pipe rusting up inside.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 909
Likes: 9
From: San Luis Obispo, CA
Do not scrimp on size if you are using high-volume air tools, especially if you have long distances. One inch should do well, although 3/4" will work fine if your distances are short. The same applies to your air hoses. I found that my impact wrench would not break rusted nuts on the air hoses I was using.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 909
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From: San Luis Obispo, CA
dffay,
As son & grand-son of plumbers I can strongly say that you are right. Black steel pipe is necessary for gas because it sometimes has enough sulfur in it to react with the zinc layer on galvanized pipe, making particles that clog small valves & jets. If you have long runs, a pro would use 20' lengths. Galvanized fittings are also available. For those who have soldering skills and no pipe threading tools, copper may be easiest and is not much more expensive for small systems. (It is cleaner than steel pipes & corrosion-free.)
As son & grand-son of plumbers I can strongly say that you are right. Black steel pipe is necessary for gas because it sometimes has enough sulfur in it to react with the zinc layer on galvanized pipe, making particles that clog small valves & jets. If you have long runs, a pro would use 20' lengths. Galvanized fittings are also available. For those who have soldering skills and no pipe threading tools, copper may be easiest and is not much more expensive for small systems. (It is cleaner than steel pipes & corrosion-free.)
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I have to admit that I prefer to use galvanized pipe for air lines. I just slap on those stickers that read "Compressed Air". Copper pipe is not allowed under some fire codes. Apparently it comes apart easily in a fire and fans the flames...