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don't use pvc. here is an exert from the tool shed forum Posted by Tom Roy (jj2942@worldnet.att.net) on Fri, Oct 9, 98 at 13:35 I am expanding my work area for the garden and will be running air lines for various tools. Has anyone used plastic pipe for the lines instead of the traditional copper pipes? If feasible, what are the disadvantages, if any, of using plastic vs. copper? Any comments would be welcome. Thanks.
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: Jason (saradog7@voyager.net) on Fri, Oct 9, 98 at 18:48 I remember seeing an article on this in Fine Woodworking--basically, the said never to do this. It had something to do with the reaction of the fittings and pressure. Most water systems are maximum 60psi; I use a lot more than that just to paint something. I'd recommend you go traditional here--stay with copper or some other system. RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: Kevin Bishop (kevin.bishop@sspi.com) on Fri, Oct 9, 98 at 21:07 PVC and CPVC pipe is not recommended for compressed air systems. Compressed air can get very hot, and the plastic pipe cannot handle the temperature. PVC and CPVC have maximum temperature limits of 140F and 180F respectively. At these temperature limits the pressure ratings of the pipe are almost totally degraded. I have seen people use black, galvanized, and copper pipe for compressed air systems. I use black pipe that is made in the USA. There are a lot of inferior pipe fittings from other countries in the market. I have gotten burned using those other fittings. I stick with fittings that I know work right the first time. RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: Lance Gyldenege (Lance_Gyldenege@MSN.com) on Sat, Oct 10, 98 at 12:01 I have used PVC Plastic pipe in my shop for about 8 years. I used scedule 80 type pipe & fittings, primer and glue. The only problem I have ever had is a leak inthe pipe where I did not glue it properly. It showed up right away. One must be very religious about the gluing process. I used 1/2" pipe. Plastic pipe will abosolutely not take any vibration. I tried this several years ago on a filter for a compressor. It lasted about 15 minutes before it blew up. I used a flex hose between the compressor and the building wall. RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: jake fro il (riverat@mc.net) on Sat, Oct 10, 98 at 20:24 use 1/2 0r 3/4 galv or black. they are the same thing with the exeption that black does not have zinc RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: david hickling (borebar@sunink.com) on Sun, Oct 11, 98 at 1:54 hi tom try using the nylon tubing the type used for air lines on semi trailers and tractors it is thick walled and very flexable, use olive compsession fittings made to suit the tube. you should be able to source it in rolls of approx 100mertes or less it will stand upto 180psi regards dave aust RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: Todd (desuryan@aol.com) on Tue, Oct 13, 98 at 19:01 go for it works great we have sch 40 all over the place at a glass shop. RE: Plastic pipe for air compressor Posted by: David Sales (david_sales@uscs.com) on Wed, Oct 14, 98 at 15:33 Basically everything said before is true. What you can/should use depends on your air use. If you are inflating the occasional tire or blowing off debris from machines, schedule 40 or 80 PVC should do fine. Definitely use primer before the glue (probably 1/2 in. PVC is best) and use a regulator in your supply set for approximately 80 PSI. It's more than enough pressure to do what you want including running the occasional air tool. If you are a serious air user with a lot of air tool use or sandblasting, etc. use the metal pipe. Metal pipes help cool the air which allows the moisture to condense and then be trapped by a filter or air trap. I recently installed an industrial 5hp compressor in my shop to run a bead blast cabinet. I chose copper pipe instead of iron for several reasons. Cost is about the same (I used 3/4 in. from the compressor to a manifold with regulator and filter), copper is much easier to work with, and will dissipate the heat faster. I also don't have a pipe threader to thread the odd size lengths. I also used Sil-fos on the joints. It is silver-bearing rod used to "braze" copper and bronze. It requires a Prestolite or oxy-acetylene torch and provides a joint that will withstand great pressures and vibration. You should always use some sort of vibration isolator between the compressor and pipe. For low-volume requirements, just a length of air hose works great. Good luck.
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