Air compressor Question for blasting
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,986
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From: Central Illinois
Like I said above, I've known of two instances where plastic ruptured when used for air lines. One possible reason I see is that it has a tendency to sag. Condensation would collect in the sags, and if it froze, it'd go pop. I've also seen PVC get brittle over years of use. That could be another issue to deal with.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 221
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From: Middle Gawga
Forgot to mention in my eariler post that I used Sch 40 3/4 PVC with no problems in the last 10 years. Of course, I could be the exception. Here in Middle Georgia we don't get any long hard freezes so that may be something to it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,338
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From: Harpswell Maine
[QUOTE=rcav8or]I see black pipe and copper. Our old shop, years ago, had Schedule 40 PVC, and I was thinking about going with it. Any reason not to? It's inexpensive, held up just fine, and easy to change/repair...
IMHO stay away from PVC. The problem is brittle fracture and flying sharp shards. It is rated at zero pressure for gases (such as air) for exactly that reason. Water is basically an incompressible fluid such that it will not create the missles (shards) that compressed air would.
One concern is an impact problem should a heavy object fall onto the pressurized PVC. It is cheap and potentially very dangerous.
IMHO stay away from PVC. The problem is brittle fracture and flying sharp shards. It is rated at zero pressure for gases (such as air) for exactly that reason. Water is basically an incompressible fluid such that it will not create the missles (shards) that compressed air would.
One concern is an impact problem should a heavy object fall onto the pressurized PVC. It is cheap and potentially very dangerous.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 410
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From: Texas
I have an Ingersoll Rand 60 gallon, 175 PSI, 5 HP - 11.8 Peak and 15.8 CFM@ 90 PSI. It will paint, blast, run a DA non-stop and blow up the occasional pool float for the wife. Bought this from Sears for around 500 bucks, reconditioned
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I would not use PVC pipe for any air lines. There have been several horror stories about those line blowing out under pressure. They are not designed for that pressure. Black iron pipe or copper are safe. Check some of the threads in the garage and workshop forum.
There was an ad recently in Old Cars Weekly for for an air line system using flexible plastic tubing and specific fittings. It looked like a decent system for a smaller shop, as the lines were only available in 1/2' size. I could look for the ad if anyone is interested.
There was an ad recently in Old Cars Weekly for for an air line system using flexible plastic tubing and specific fittings. It looked like a decent system for a smaller shop, as the lines were only available in 1/2' size. I could look for the ad if anyone is interested.
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