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New air lines for a shop

C

canuck750

Super User
I am getting ready to setup my air compressor in my new shop, and I am planning out where I want air lines throughout the shop.
My compressor is an Ingersol-Rand 5hp, 230v single phase that I replaced the original two cylinder pump with a 3 cylinder unit. It meets my needs, mainly running a vapour blast cabinet (Vapor Honing Technologies - Weekend Warrior model).
In my old shop I had used a Princess Auto DIY plastic line kit with push In couplings. What I don’t like about that system is the 1/2” plastic line gets quite hard over time and the fittings sometimes develop slow leaks.
I don’t want to use threaded connection steel pipe, I don’t have a pipe threader and don’t know how to use one.
Another option that appears to be popular on-line is the blue plastic pipe with an aluminum core, again a series of push in connection pieces.
I have watched a couple videos that warn against using PVC or other form of plastic domestic water line for air lines.
I am seriously considering running copper pipe, 3/4” main with 1/2” drops.
Am I crazy to even consider copper pipe?
Something about soldered joints and copper pipe sounds bulletproof to my old school mind.
 
Copper makes sense to me - a quick check says that about the minimum maximum pressure you can expect it to tolerate is 700 psi.

A bit expensive to do it that way, of course, so it depends on how long your runs are.

I put one of those PA plastic cheapies in my basement, but just for light-duty work - running blowguns and solder paste dispensers and the like - at my bench. I wouldn't use it for anything "serious" out in the garage.
 
I used black steel gas pipe and bought a cheap princess auto threader...it's no more difficult than using a regular die to make threads, it's just bigger...oil it up, go slowly and back up to break chips, go deep enough to get the right taper in. Use tape and pipe dope and you do end up tightening it more than you think you should, but once together I've never had one spring a leak a decade later. Use pipe coupling fittings to make it easy to join sections together, can pre-thread big chunks before mounting it up.

I like steel pipe because there's a lot less risk of damage, both copper and pex are more likely to fail from physical damage than steel pipe. Pex is hard to keep straight and feels sloppy. Copper is expensive and you need to be good at soldering. Black pipe runs straight, is durable, and relatively affordable.
 
You should run copper for the first 20-30 feet, then an air dryer. I'd switch to black pipe after that but staying with copper is likely fine too. You can run rubber line between your compressor and the wall
 
If your going to use copper pipe and solder. Silver solder must be used in order to comply with regulations. I was advised this by a TSSA inspecter in my area. I have a smaller shop 30x30. I ran a 1/2" copper line to a retractable reel with 30 feet of hose. I can reach any where in the shop.I ran 1/2" pex to my mill for the air drawbar
 
You didn't say how long a run and how many drops you want to put in. I would consider black steel pipe, and you can rent or beg /borrow to have the handfull of ends threaded that you need done. All the long lengths will probably be pre-threaded both ends, so you're only looking at a few pieces that get cut and need to be threaded. Black pipe also looks good/proffesional to me in a shop, and zero worries about it once installed. Plus no one is breaking in to steal it off your walls!
 
Aliva said:
If your going to use copper pipe and solder. Silver solder must be used in order to comply with regulations. I was advised this by a TSSA inspecter in my area.
Click to expand...

The claim that there's a regulation is legit, but that it is reasonable? I say no for lots of reasons - strength of the joint, low risk if it does fail. Amazingly a tiny bit of sanity did squeak through, I believe it only applies over 3/4".

Mine is copper, all 1/2" and it work fine. More expensive now, but it is still nice for how easy it is to work and no rust.
 
I didn't know there were PA/cheapie iron pipe threaders! I'd (perhaps foolishly) assumed that it was a pro thing i.e. Ridgid.

Would have been nice to know before doing my recent gasfitting; may have saved me a few bucks.

Hmmm... I hope I haven't missed their pre-xmas "friends and family" sale (mentioned previously) - have to drop by and ask about it. This might be a good thing to get.
 
Not sure if it would be inexpensive compared to copper or black steel but an easy to use alternative is plastic truck airline and the simple "push in connections they offer for all sorts of connections. Ft Garry or Gregg Ind supplies would be a source.
 
historicalarms said:
Not sure if it would be inexpensive compared to copper or black steel but an easy to use alternative is plastic truck airline and the simple "push in connections they offer for all sorts of connections. Ft Garry or Gregg Ind supplies would be a source.
Click to expand...
If you hit the right wrecking yard, you could grab a couple truck air tanks, duplicate the wet tank/dry tank set up, have miles of air lines and fittings, steal an air dryer, you'd up your compressor gallon size just not the CFM.

Redneck but I'm sure it's been done. If it hasn't been done I'd be disappointed
 
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