[EricFai]

Running a Hard Air Line for Compressor.

I was asked to write up a blog for this project, not a woodworking one though, but it does go with woodworking.

From the planning of my shop build a had plans to install a hard air line for the compressor. I park the compressor up on the Loft with a dicated circuit which had a pilot switch below. Most of the time I keep the regulator set at 100 PSI. Main use is trim nailer and blow stuff off.

I am in the process of refacing some cabinets, and decided to spray them using HVLP System. I Saud it's time to run the air line first.

So I started out with most of the parts today, dud need a trip to Lowe's fir a few other things. I chose 1/2" copper for the lines. With the standard 1/4 quick disconnects.

From the compressor I used a 3/8" rubber line rated at 300 PSI, connecting it the copper line with a quick disconnect. This is up on the loft, and my reasoning was to isolate any vibrations from the compressor.

From the loft I came down the wall. I put a "Tee" in and made a drop directly from the tank pressure which I bumped up to 110 PSI, auto use if needed. From there I ran into a regulator and a filter, then back up the wall.

From there I ran the line 2/3rd length of the shop, with a "Tee" at the first beam and an Elbow at the 2nd beam.

I then ran a line under each beam to the shop center and brought the line down to a quick disconnect.
1st beam.

2nd beam.

Close up of drop below beams. I have the disconnect, then I installed a ball valve in the event I need to clear any water out of the lines.

Everything is hooked up and running, with no known leaks. It's been a good 10 years since I have sweated copper. Not pretty but solid, I did get better the more I did.

And I managed to get the shop clean, so some updated shop photos.

Northwest corner

Northeast corner

Southeast corner

Southwest corner

Thanks for reading and comments are always welcome and appreciated.

 

[Jim Jakosh]

Eric, that is a top shelf air system. I made mine out of 3/4" PVC in the barn and in the basement shop and everyone warned that it is not safe, but it has been running for 15-20 years and still works with no failure. Yours with the copper pipe is the best way to go…but I'll bet it was expensive

thanks for sharing…............Cheers, Jim

 

[CommonJoe]

Looks good. I would probably have added one more ball valve here. I like to mount my lines a little at an angle so any condensation will end up rolling down to one of the check valves. But as in other comments I understand,
your shop, your way. Again, not telling you what to do, just another way another person does it.

 

[oldrivers]

Very neat looks great

 

[pottz]

nice clean setup bud,and a very clean shop.ive done my air lines the same with copper throughout ! now jims is surprising me with the pvc,but hell time has told.

 

[MadMark]

Glad you went with copper. PVC explodes into shards when damaged. Looks good.

 

[recycle1943]

very neat installation and a super shop.
I have a 80 gallon 2 stage 5hp compressor (240v) and I ran my air in 1" pvc with 2 water traps and 1 water drop at the tank and one at the end of the line just below the quick disconnect. 20 years and all is well

 

[EricFai]

Jim, thank you. I thought about PVC, but did not trust it under higher pressure. Sounds like you have proven it to be safe. Running the copper did cost a bit, but it will be worth it.

Joe, thank you. Thinking about that, it would have been a good idea. I'll see how this works out and if needed I could add it in a later.

OldRivers, thank you. It's not the prettiest, there is a few ugly joints, but it is holding pressure.

Pottz, thank you. I would have liked to keep everything up, but I needed to install a second regulator that I could reach without going up on the loft. The shop was due for a good cleaning.

MadMark, thank you. I think I'll be happy with it in the long run.

Dick, thank you. I did my best with it, tried to make the shortest runs and get the drops where they may be needed. The shop is my pride and joy, very relaxing to me spending time out there.

 

[bigblockyeti]

I've been moving line around my garage/shop and am still not sure where I want everything. I was all set years ago in my last shop to run PVC then learned of the failure mode, copper was expensive then and steel pipe is a PITA to have to cut, thread and hang. I ended up just running hoses there. I've run PEX in my garage now and while it's not as durable as copper, it's cheap and the failure mode doesn't leave anything flying.

 

[EricFai]

Yeti, yea I thought about the black pipe to, real pain getting the lengths and threading. I have sweated copper in the past, so it's not hard for me. The copper cost more, but worth it it the long run.

 

[Sark]

Ran PVC in my shop, 3/4" schedule 40 to a 5HP 80 gal compressor. Maximum working pressure is about 400 lbs/sq in, burst pressure is about 1,500 and the compressor ran at 150 lbs of pressure. That seems like an ample safety factor. Copper is better, however, in most regards except for material and labor costs to install or modify.

Now I'm looking to install new pressure system for my home shop, and it seems to me that the quickest way would be to run old air hoses around. I like Yeti's idea of running Pex around. Anyone else doing that?

 

[sawdust1whisperer]

Top shelf installation Eric.

I like how you added a pressure regulator for more control and the ball valve drain.

Great job and post.

 

[splintergroup]

Clean installation Eric!

I ran copper (3/4") from my 60 gallon upright to several places around the main shop area. I had run a quick leak test before putting up the sheet rock which covered up everything making future access to the joints difficult at best. Turns out there is a small pinhole leak somewhere I missed, bummer, but at least I have a cutoff at the compressor.

To further your entertainment, I ran 3/4" PVC down stream from a 40PSI regulator to feed the other room and the eventual spray booth.

Same deal, covered up with sheet rock.

Finally build the spray booth and was excited to have a room that I could seal off for filtered air only, no dragging a hose around.
I pressurized the PVC section.

Worked great for about a minute after which I heard a "pffft, THAWAP". I had forgot to glue one of the joints after doing a dry fit of all the pipe and elbows/tees 8^/

Anyhoo, ran a new line along the ceiling so all is good again, but I'm still bummed.

I envy your loft, great place for all the essentials that you don't need to be standing at to use!

 

[duckmilk]

That looks like a nice and clean installation Eric.

 

[EricFai]

Sark, thank you. I am fortunate that I can sweat copper, so materials only plus my own time.

James, thank you. Yes,no more trips up onto the loft to adjust the pressure.

Splinter, thank you. I did not want to bury any of it in the wall, future changes if needed. I wish I built a larger shop with a finish room. Oh well, I'll get by. Stinks about a joint popping.

Duck, thank you. I am going to like it much better than dragging a hose around. Still have the hose but shorter. Maybe a hose real down the road.

 

[MadMark]

The danger of PVC airlines is what happens when they're damaged while under pressure. They burst with explosive force and throw shrapnel.

OSHA PVC Hazards

Reads, in part:

Furthermore, sections 842.32, 842.43 and 849.52(b) of the American National Standards Institute/American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ANSI/ASME) B31.8-1986, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems Standard, limit the operating pressure of plastic piping distribution systems to 100 pounds per inch (psi) and prohibit the installation of such systems above ground except where ". . . the above ground portion of the plastic service line is completely enclosed in a conduit or casing of sufficient strength to provide protection from external damage and deterioration."

 

[bigblockyeti]

I was hesitant to use PEX as it almost seems to good to be true with its low price (fittings not so much), balance of rigidity and flexibility and water compatibility. The things that gave me pause were flow restrictions in the fittings, max pressure derating at high temperatures and the unknown compatibility of some synthetic compressor oils. At 1/2" it flows adequately for my needs and was a very quick install even working around all my crap in the garage. I do have a leak that I'm pretty sure is a fitting and not the drop down hose reel (it didn't leak before the PEX was ran) but a soapy water solution should reveal the culprit(s) that can then be tighten as they're SS pinch clamps.

Copper is still a consideration after I move and have a proper, lifetime shop but flexibility takes priority until then. When I found that one one the PEX manufacturers uses PEX airline throughout their factory (at I'm sure much larger diameter than I am), my worries were laid to rest.

 

[Desert_Woodworker]

 

[CommonJoe]

I used the Rapidair system for a warehouse once. It worked pretty good. Straightening the line was the hardest.

 

[EricFai]

This is my permanent shop, so the cost to run the copper is beneficial to me. There may be a few changes down the road, have to wait and see.

The big test is when I start spraying the cabinet project I have been working on. Tackle that after dinner in a bit.