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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Best pipe for air line ?

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Ralf from MI

04-04-2007 09:13:06




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Mounted an air hose reel on the ceiling of my shop, going to have to run about 90 ft. or so of pipe to get around to the compressor. Dose anyone have a take on the pro's or con's of black pipe vs galv. pipe ? I've heard things about both and was wondering what other guys may be using. Had kicked around copper but don't know if thats a good way, compared to iron. Anyway you go nothing is cheap it's just whats going to be best for the long haul Thanks.

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John in Ct

04-05-2007 15:19:18




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I did my shop air piping based on a brand new body shop. USE COPPER!!!! I have a 150 psi De vellbiss air compressor and never had a problem (10 years). Just think of assembling all of those black pipe fittings. Copper you just swett them together. Also, use a NEW HYDRAULIC (1'-2')line to connect the compressor to your solid pipe. Use new because the old hydraulic oil could contaminate your air system for painting.

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Roy Suomi

04-05-2007 12:44:22




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I've got copper pipe in my shop and service truck..My compressor sits about 35' from work areas..I used 1" for the runs with several down tubes with drain petcocks..1/2" for coupler ends..A piece of flex from compressor to rigid copper for vibration and noise..



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kito169

04-05-2007 01:55:34




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I up graded and used 1" black pipe with 3" drops and drains at each connection. It works great. The advise about flex hose at compressor hookup is very good also as this is what I did also. good luck. kito169



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kito169

04-05-2007 01:58:19




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to kito169, 04-05-2007 01:55:34  
That was supposed to say three foot drops, a "U", at each connection. I know it cost more but you won't have any problems.



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Glen in TX

04-04-2007 20:59:13




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
TTP tools has a good explanation why to use black pipe. Depends on how much air you are going to flow thru it for what too.



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Ryan - WI

04-04-2007 13:42:43




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
The one other thing that no one has mentioned yet is that you should use a piece of hydraulic hose to connect from your rigid air line to your compressor. No matter what compressor you have it is going to shake a bit when it runs. Using a flexible line prevents broke air lines in the future.



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Charles (in GA)

04-04-2007 12:59:38




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
This issue, especially the use/dangers of PVC has been discussed extensively both here and on other boards such as the Garagejournal.com.

For information on copper pipe, such as the designed working pressures, joint strengths using various solders and sweating and brazing methods, you need to download the Copper tube handbook published by the Copper Devolopment Association. Its a large download, so you need broadband, but will give you the specs for all types and sizes of copper tubing.

Link

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Aberdale Farm

04-04-2007 12:45:42




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I don't know if there is a right or wrong answer. I used 3/4" black pipe in my shop. It's big enough to hold a few more cubic feet of air, and it provides better air delivery over long distances than 1/2". The black pipe is also a good heat sink. (Copper is a good thermal conductor too, but plastic would be an insulator). The advantage of a good heat sink is it allows the moisture to condense out of the air faster. Be careful with plastic. Some plastic shatters when it fails, sending sharp shrapnel through the air. (My neighbor found this out the hard way.) I'm not sure what plastic he used, but it was likely PVC.

The zinc coating in galvanized pipe can slough off over time, so I shied away from galvanized pipe because I didn't want zinc particles running through my air tools or my paint gun.

Copper is pretty expensive, the pipe seems kinda thin, and I'm not that good at sweating joints, so copper didn't look that attractive to me, either. I would think copper would be okay as long as it is capable of handling the working pressure.

Through process of elimination, I ended up using black pipe. I did put drains at each drop so that I could expel any condensed water. That would be important in any system.

Dale

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Dick

04-04-2007 11:45:16




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
What about the PEX tubing? It seems to be the best thing for water lines and they say it's pretty much indestructable. I don't see why it wouldn't work for air lines too. Any comments?

Dick



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cb in wisc

04-04-2007 10:03:40




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
At work (a high pressure boiler plant) we use hard copper for all the air lines. We have three air compressors there, a 15 h.p.,a 20 h.p.
and a 40 h.p.. Most of the controls are pnuematic, we have a sandblaster and other air tools.



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e

04-04-2007 10:02:17




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I used to use black pipe, but have worked at enough plants that used copper that I became convinced it is the way to go. If you have a leaky joint, just resweat and you are good to go. Fixing leaks with black pipe is not quite that easy. The other benefit is you can cut and solder, no threading for odd lengths.



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cj3b_jeep

04-04-2007 11:48:00




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to e, 04-04-2007 10:02:17  
What size of copper pipe would you use?



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e

04-04-2007 15:11:54




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to cj3b_jeep, 04-04-2007 11:48:00  
The size of pipe depends upon the tool that will consume the most air and the number of bends and tees you install. For example, if you have an impact wrench that requires 15 scfm, you could get by with 1/2". If it were my system, I would install 3/4" to protect for future expansion or obtaining a tool that requires more air.



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Don L C

04-04-2007 09:49:04




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
I put mine in years ago and I used hard copper.....I have heard on here about a plastic pipe especialy for air systems..... maybe one of those guys will answer you..... black iron rusty water and galvanized particals from galvanized pipe..... .



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Midwest redneck

04-04-2007 09:30:01




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Ralf from MI, 04-04-2007 09:13:06  
Use black pipe, Galvanized can get the pieces of the zinc in the air lines and contaminate the air valves, components. DONT USE PVC.



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(IA) ChrisH

04-04-2007 14:42:31




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 Re: Best pipe for air line ? in reply to Midwest redneck, 04-04-2007 09:30:01  
If you don"t have a good air drier, use copper pipe. The black pipe will send bits of rust through whatever is at the end of your line if you don"t have a "refrigerated" drier.



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