smcIND

Member
Just bought a new compressor and want to run a couple lines from it to the other side of my
garage. What is the best way to do it. I have seen some people use PVC but wonder how safe that is.
Any suggestions? Will only need to run across 15' to 30' if I put a drop in the middle and one on the far side.
Thanks in advance.
 
I used PVC once, won't do it again. The stuff becomes brittle, after which it can fail pretty abruptly.

Some people have guessed that it is intended to go in walls, under floors etc. where is isn't exposed to light. Light causes it to deteriorate. That wasn't my experience. Mine got most brittle nearer the compressor, where it eventually got a coating of compressor oil on the inside. My theory is that the oil caused the PVC to deteriorate and become brittle. I now use black iron pipe or copper. I recommend you do the same.

When you go to the home improvement stores, you usually can find two grades of copper. I think one is preferable to the other, but somebody else will have to explain that. I have to research it each time I go buy a piece.
 
I would use 1/2 inch pipe. Not too expensive and comes in 20 foot lengths. Be sure all the joints are sealed with pipe dope or Teflon tape.
 
Check archives, been discussed many times here. I believe OSHA prohibits plastic air lines in any commercial application. use metal or approved material if nothing else cheap air hose and strap in place.
 
DO NOT USE PVC IT WILL FAIL. It may last years, but when it goes it is a shrapnel throwing bomb as it does become brittle. I use black pipe.
Copper is fine. There are three types M,L,K K is thickest. IIRC type M is rated for 300psi so it's all you need. Use 1/2 inch
 
If only needing to go 15 and 30 foot simplest is just using air hose with a T in it. If running high volume tools use bigger line. Thats what I would do anyway.

Joe
 

Biggest issues with the rubber lines is moisture. The metal lines help cool the air and water gets stopped by the separators or in drops. With rubber lines the water stays in vapor form and blows right by the separators. Hard on tools and murder on paint jobs.
 
(quoted from post at 08:35:53 11/26/17)
Biggest issues with the rubber lines is moisture. The metal lines help cool the air and water gets stopped by the separators or in drops. With rubber lines the water stays in vapor form and blows right by the separators. Hard on tools and murder on paint jobs.

A moisture trap is necessary.
 
If the water is vaporized the traps will not work, the vapors get blown by and is cooled at the tool . Compressed air is heated and needs to be cooled to get the moisture out. Metal does a much better job cooling the air. I ran a rubber line for a few years with two traps at the end. I would get water blowing out my impacts and grinders, only a few drops in the traps. When I painted my car I switched everything out to black pipe. Traps filled with water and no more water issues at my tools. Not saying rubber line won't work, but there is a much greater potential for water issues in your tools and a ruined paint job
 
I know they say don't use pvc.I have been using 1/2 hot an cold pvc for 50years never had problem.I have had a 3/4 Rapid air piping system for 3 or 4 years, haven't took time to install it.
 
The PVC is a bomb waiting to release shrapnel.

Cheapest is black iron pipe, Sch 40, cut threads and assemble. Nicer imo if you clean the OD of the pipe first and paint it. Can be a pain if you don't have access to pipe threading.

Copper is more expensive but best practice imo. Never any corrosion inside the pipe to deal with. Solder with Stay Brite #8 solder..which is also more expensive than big box lead-free but so much stronger due to the silver alloy. The same solder is approved for potable water systems.
 

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