Shop air system

[Vikes79]

Hey all,

Im finally at a point in my acreage shop (cleanup etc) that it makes sense to consider installing a compressed air network.

I having a bit of indecision on copper or that aluminum kit stuff or even poly..

the shop isn’t heated nor insulated yet. Which in my mind eliminates black iron pipe (rusting). I have concerns with poly at -15f.

I will likely spray paint with this setup, thus I’m leaning more to a metal system so I can ensure all water vapor is gone before it hits the last drip leg and filters/dryer before my spray gun.

what did you use for your shop air network and why?

 

[john790]

I ran 1/2 copper rated at about 300 psi if i remember right thats been 5 years ago.No problems so far you can find all the fittings turns out pretty nice i run 150 psi in my shop.

 

[swsebek]

I like 1/2” or 3/4”steel.It’s easy to paint. A separator and shut off right out of tank.Also make sure you have a valve at the bottom to drain tank. The steel line can run the legth of shop or even over head and from it you can attach tees for tap in lines of your choice. When I paint I attach a second separator right before hose. I also never run the main line flat. I have it at a slight incline upward from the first separator. In the summer the condensation in my shop will rain on me inside. Sometimes I get a 1/2 a quart of water a day from the separator and the valve on tank.

 

[Remington]

Did 1/2 pvc throughout my shop and multiple outlets with a large 2 stage compressor. Has worked great No issues going on 12 years not to mention alot cheaper. Worked the piss out of it and i dont keep the barn heated when im not there so temps have dropped below 10 On multiple occasions.
I went the this route cuz thats what I knew from my time working at Roush, thays what we had. Are the other materials bad? Nope, just a preference and how much u want to spend. If its a commercial manufacturing facility, then theres curtain codes for what you can and cant use for pipe.

 

[Scoop]

the shop isn’t heated nor insulated yet. Which in my mind eliminates black iron pipe (rusting).

The compressed air network in my pole bar is all black pipe. It's been there for ~16 years and zero rust.

Black pipe is used outside all the time (e.g., your gas meter). A little surface rust isn't going to hurt it.

 

[Remington]

A little surface rust isn't going to hurt it.

Yes on the outside of Black pipe.
its the inside you need to worry about. The moisture from the compressed air will rust from the inside out, but will take years to show. Its the rusty moisture that will rot your tools out.
On our gas lines, there isnt enough moisture to cause problems like the moisture from a compressor. I would tell u to disconnect a few of your unions in different spots and look down the pipe with a light and tell me what you see?
u deff need a good moisture separator for that type of pipe

 

[NTCPrezJB]

PVC will work. It’s primary issue is shrapnel when it becomes brittle and fails. That isn’t a matter of if but when. However it is so much cheaper than copper that it is the route I would go and just know I have to change all the line runs when they do eventually age enough to risk failure. If that failure or rebuild down the road is scary enough to justify the price of copper to you personally then no doubt copper will work and live for like 50+ years so long as no one comes by and steals it on you.

 

[Remington]

Working psi of sch 40 pvc. In at 1/2”. I sure hope my compressor doesn't accedently go that high! 😳 Now that would be some shrapnel!😂

 

[Neohio]

Working psi of sch 40 pvc. In at 1/2”. I sure hope my compressor doesn't accedently go that high! 😳 Now that would be some shrapnel!😂View attachment 318318

I believe it has to do with UV exposure degrading the PVC.
My "shop" is a tiny 2 car garage, so no plumbing for me. I have 2 50' coils of airline right next to the compressor. It is not a heavy use tool for me typically.

 

[NTCPrezJB]

I believe it has to do with UV exposure degrading the PVC.
My "shop" is a tiny 2 car garage, so no plumbing for me. I have 2 50' coils of airline right next to the compressor. It is not a heavy use tool for me typically.

Ed Zachery!

Working psi of sch 40 pvc. In at 1/2”. I sure hope my compressor doesn't accedently go that high! 😳 Now that would be some shrapnel!😂View attachment 318318

Yeah it isn’t the rating at install that’s the issue. It’s the rating down the road. But like I said…I’d use it in my shop/garage. I just wouldn’t grind and shoot the “sparks” at it for the next five years. Or have it in the “spark” zone of a welding table. Or have a drop in the magnifying sunlight of a window. Those are really the things that’ll make for a bad day a lot sooner than you might think.

 

[Farmer]

Dad used pvc in his shop and it worked great. A little ugly with all the writing and purple glue though. My shop at home here is hopefully temporary so I just ran and tucked some good rubber hose around and behind everything. Super easy install and easy to change or re-route it if I want to move my wall reel etc.

 

[Smitty335]

Working psi of sch 40 pvc. In at 1/2”. I sure hope my compressor doesn't accedently go that high! 😳 Now that would be some shrapnel!😂View attachment 318318

I wouldn't use PVC for air lines, but the trick to transition PVC to female IPS threads is, go buy some 1/2 X 6 SCH 80 PVC nipples and cut them in half and you have two MIP ada and just glue them in the fitting and screw your female fitting on. NEVER use SCH 40 male or female ada's. Learned this 40 years ago.

 

[snuffnwhisky]

PVC in my home shop. Also used Rapidair at work.

 

[oldfortyfive]

RapidAir Home Garage Compressed Air Systems | RapidAir Home Garage Kits

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I used the rapid air system in home/garage shop. When you factor in your time it was an easy choice. Easy to install and change as needed.

 

[Prntckt]

I have black iron in my shop. My shop is also heated though.

 

[Vikes79]

The compressed air network in my pole bar is all black pipe. It's been there for ~16 years and zero rust.

Black pipe is used outside all the time (e.g., your gas meter). A little surface rust isn't going to hurt it.

The issue with black pipe in a non conditioned space is rust on inside of pipe.

For NG it’s fine as you don’t have moisture buildup by the time it’s delivered to your house.

 

[Vikes79]

Thanks for the points all!

im not afraid to use copper, other than cost.

PVC not sure it’s a good idea…I’ve been in a shop that exploded pvc, not cool. I think the residual oil in the compressed air is degrading to the system.

 

[trigger]

Just curious, why not rubber hose and fittings?

 

[Smitty335]

The issue with black pipe in a non conditioned space is rust on inside of pipe.

For NG it’s fine as you don’t have moisture buildup by the time it’s delivered to your house.

You need a moisture trap / drain at the compressor, the compressor heats the air supper hot and will condensate down the line if you don't. Done hundreds of commercial compressed air systems.

 

[Vikes79]

Just curious, why not rubber hose and fittings?

I have that already. Get tired of pulling out big long hose all the time vs a few 25 footers.

my pole shop is big enough that 50’ only reaches the door if I need air out the front from where my compressor will be sitting.

I will run likely one drop near the door, and one in the middle of each bay for a total of 4 drops plus at the compressor.