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Copper Line for Shop Air

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Farmer/Paul

07-26-2002 04:38:52




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I have been wanting to run fixed air lines in my shop and now have the time to do it. Should I use black pipe or copper? I already have a pile of black pipe, but a friend tells me copper would be better. The smooth wall allows for more air flow, cleaner, and it is way lighter than black pipe. Has anyone here used copper pipe for this application?




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tyler

05-27-2004 19:38:02




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 Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to Farmer/Paul, 07-26-2002 04:38:52  
copper wont rust out and burst.black pipe will.



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Roger Van Houten

08-03-2002 18:19:31




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 Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to Farmer/Paul, 07-26-2002 04:38:52  
I used copper at my prior residence for 25 years and worked well. Also, at my current shop I used copper again for about 140 feet with five drops. I started with 3/4" and then went to 1/2". While there is nothing wrong with iron pipe I didn't want to have to crank a zillion fittings to align and also not leak. I soldered 192 joints with no leaks (figured that was pure luck).



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Jeff Mi

07-27-2002 05:10:51




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 Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to Farmer/Paul, 07-26-2002 04:38:52  
I have to agree with all the comments
mentioned. I used copper in my shop but
if I would have had black pipe on hand
I would have used it. T-Bone is right-
make sure you have a good 'fall' to
the trunk line and tap your drops from
the top of it.



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Don LC

07-26-2002 09:13:54




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 Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to Farmer/Paul, 07-26-2002 04:38:52  
FARMER/PAUL ---- My shop is 50'x36'and I ran 1/2 heavy wall hard copper....I used 95/5 sodder,I have been happy with it ,that was 25 years ago....I guess black iron pipe would be OK, but I thought copper would be rust free...also copper is light and easy for one person to use....If I had it to do over,I would have used 3/4" for the trunk lines.....If your lines go all the way around and back to the compresser yuo will have a lot less pressure drop at the far end(away from the compressure)....If you do that 1/2" will be OK....I don't use in line oilers,I oil my air tools each day I use them....that way I have clean air at each station.....I have a water trap just after a pressure regulator at the compresser and another/with pressure a regulator, at my paint station.....I also put an air guage in a " T "so I know the air pressure at the paint gun.....I just snap it in for final pressure adjustment and then I remove it....You can buy nice looking copper plated pipe ,mounts at the pluming supply house...makes for a nice finished look ....my shop is dry wall finished....

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JoeK

07-26-2002 06:55:12




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 Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to Farmer/Paul, 07-26-2002 04:38:52  
Mine are all 1/2" black pipe.Good tight connections seem easier w/threads than soldered or compression fittings,also more physical strength against vibration/damage.I don't feel the flow/cleanliness factor of copper is a major problem on most home/shop systems.I have simple filter/trap on lines before taps and run one"clean lead" with oil/moisture/dirt traps for blaster cabinet and spray gun. As far as the weight,once its up and secured it don't matter no more.

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T_Bone

07-26-2002 07:14:24




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 Re: Re: Copper Line for Shop Air in reply to JoeK, 07-26-2002 06:55:12  
Hi Joe,

Paul is right on as I would not buy copper when I had the black pipe. Run a horzonital main line with a 1/4" to 12" drop with a drip leg with a ball valve and drin your main line from there on the low end.

Take off all tee's on the top of the main line, not on the bottom, as this will help drain moister and trash from the air before it enters the drop feed lines.

T_Bone



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