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Air line. Copper or Black pipe?

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John

02-25-2002 20:44:18




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I have a Worthington aircompressor with a four cylinder IH engine. I plan to run about 150 feet of air throughout my shop. Should I use Black pipe or copper with insulation?




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The dDukester

03-22-2002 11:02:55




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
In the manufacturing shops where I spent many years with maintenance depts., we always used type L copper pipe for our airline runs. Copper goes up fast and resists corrusion and rust from moisture in the air. Important thing is to support the lines real good using copper straps made for the purpose preferably or at least good conduit straps. Wherever you are going to have disconnects for airhose connections, use the eared brass 90 degree adapters and fasten them securely to eliminate any stress on the copper pipe. Copper might seem costly, but it goes up fast and lasts really good, and has a lot more resistance to physical damage which is the danger of using that PVC stuff. When soldering, remember cleanliness is important as well as good generous flux application and good tinning heat(propane torch) to insure strong leakproof joints. Take the time to make every joint perfect and then the next one better.

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Brian

03-03-2002 18:07:33




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
Use black pipe. Make sure to use a rag in the pipe to prevent your threading oil from going in. Perhaps swab it out with mineral spirits before doping and installing. Body shops use it for their air lines. It makes for a strong hose/bleed off valve connection and is the safest way to go. Then you'll need an air dryer....



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walter c.

12-08-2005 08:16:34




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 Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to Brian, 03-03-2002 18:07:33  
can you use a black pipe union for an air line run?



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Jeremy

03-02-2002 21:40:41




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
PVC or CPVC pipe works great! Cheaper than copper or black pipe, too.



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Rod (NH)

03-03-2002 17:35:00




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 Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to Jeremy, 03-02-2002 21:40:41  
Ignore manufacturer's and industry safety warnings at your own risk!



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John - NY

03-06-2002 11:51:27




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 Re: Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to Rod (NH), 03-03-2002 17:35:00  
Thank you for sharing that information with us. That clears up that matter!



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Bob V

03-01-2002 09:39:50




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
I've read all the comments about which pipe to use or not to use, but nothing about, black pipe rusting, using copper pipe is just about as easy as plastic other than welding the copper but the good part is air hose fittings are very common, copper comes in two thickness'es, and it stays clean, and doesn't rust. I've used copper thru out my shop and have never! had any problems.



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Cliff

03-01-2002 06:04:10




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
I have seen pvc get hit and rupture.It is not pretty but my uncles shop still has it installed. He just does not use it now since the second rupture. When I did my shop line three years ago I used sixty feet of 2"copper dwv on the cieling and I used 3/4" copper on the runs to the hoses. I figure I added close to ten gallons of holding on the cieling and I have had no trouble with it in three years. If you use this give yourself enough room on the cieling clearance to braze the joint as with pipe this large you have alot of heat. I use HVLP spray guns and now I get the volume of air I need. Plus the compressor is not on and off as much.

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John

02-27-2002 05:07:44




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
WOW!!! Great feedback. Thanks to all. My original question was "Black Pipe or Copper" not PVC. I am leaning toward 1/2" copper. My understanding is: Black Pipe is best over all except for painting. Thanks again everyone that gave me feedback.



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Rod (NH)

02-26-2002 20:43:57




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
BIG caution with PVC and compressed air.



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Chuck

02-26-2002 15:48:38




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
Have had schedule 40 pvc in my rv repair shop for 15 years and have only had one failure due to a line drop being broken off by an accidental bump by a peice of 2x4. I run 2 5 horse 2-stage compressors each with 120 gallon tanks and pressure switches set to shut off at 175 psi. My only suggestion would be to use black pipe for the first 20 to 30 feet to help with condensing the moisture out of the compressed air.

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Here we go again!

02-26-2002 14:43:15




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
There is a ton of information in the archives on this site, I believe the consensus is either black or copper, but not pvc.



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Ninh Hoa

02-26-2002 14:02:32




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
Schedule 40 pipe is schedule 40 pipe. That said, PVC is easier to work with by a long shot, and has the same pressure rating as black pipe. JMHO.



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Hunter

02-26-2002 05:55:35




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
I too would use PVC or black pipe. I think the copper might split.



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goober

02-25-2002 22:44:21




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 Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to John, 02-25-2002 20:44:18  
Personally, I would use PVC pipe...



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eer

01-19-2003 17:20:20




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 Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to goober, 02-25-2002 22:44:21  
err



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Greaseman

02-26-2002 12:22:10




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 Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to goober, 02-25-2002 22:44:21  
I would be hesitant to run anything other than black pipe because of the fear I would have of rupture unless you have a VERY low pressure sysytem (30 Psi), as for PVC lines I think they would be great for vaccume, drain piping, etc.



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HayBoy

02-26-2002 21:31:44




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 Re: Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to Greaseman, 02-26-2002 12:22:10  
Don,t you people ever listen.As an inspector for a major PVC manufacturer I can say do not use PVC for air line.Yes it will take the pressure-but if it does rupture it will send out shards of plastic that cuts like glass.I know its cheap and easy to work with but do want your child or grandchild standing by it if it does let go?Think about this-in our 60,000 sq. ft. plant all the air lines are black pipe.This plant makes over 400,000 feet of PVC a day-and we don,t use it for air lines!

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HayBoy

02-26-2002 21:31:06




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 Re: Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to Greaseman, 02-26-2002 12:22:10  
Don,t you people ever listen.As an inspector for a major PVC manufacturer I can say do not use PVC for air line.Yes it will take the pressure-but if it does rupture it will send out shards of plastic that cuts like glass.I know its cheap and easy to work with but do want your child or grandchild standing by it if it does let go?Think about this-in our 60,000 sq. ft. plant all the air lines are black pipe.This plant makes over 400,000 feet of PVC a day-and we don,t use it for air lines!

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goober

02-27-2002 18:23:37




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to HayBoy, 02-26-2002 21:31:06  
Yeah, we listen. Then we make our own decisions. Kind of like driving our tractors without the seatbelt on, our your pickup truck. Not putting on those saftey glasses because we are just going to make a few passes with the grinder. But we do listen, and ofcourse every once in awhile we have an accident. Thanks for your input.



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Andy

03-08-2002 19:00:18




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Air line. Copper or Black pipe? in reply to goober, 02-27-2002 18:23:37  
Use schedule 40 PVC.Had it in my heavily used shop for 20+ years. Not a single problem.



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