New air lines for a shop

[kstrauss]

I vote for black iron. I installed 1/2-inch iron air lines about 15 years ago and have never wished for larger. On the other hand, I only use air to blow off chips, coolant for the CNC, bead blast, etc. When I installed things (maybe different now?) my local Home Depot would cut and thread once for each length of pipe without charge. With a little thought plus using 24-inch pre-threaded lengths for the drops I didn't need to bother with nor pay for threading.

 

[skippyelwell]

Nice sized shop!
I've used black steel pipe for 25yrs with no problems, two 12ft lines coming out of the compressor and two 30ft rubber coil lines.

Are there other options for drying air that won’t break the bank?

Now this is quick and dirty but works surprisingly well, an automotive A/C condenser ($30 on sale) and an old furnace fan.
Line comes from the 3 cylinder pump to the top of the condenser, fan cools the air, air and water drop back down into 80gal tank that I drain once a week or just before spraying paint.
7.5hp motor and 26cfm, I used this set up on a home built wet blaster and it worked well.
The specs on mine are similar to your weekend warrior but I can tell you air pressure is everything, expect the compressor to be running most of the time when blasting.

 

[jorogi]

Youtube link to some good info on air systems by a pro. This is the guy behind the Bar Z summer bash, can't remember his name (Stan something)

 

[Susquatch]

This keeps getting more true...I don't use air tools nearly as much as I used to, but there's a few like die grinders, air saws, and obvious inflation/blowing applications that the battery stuff doesn't match up to. But impact wrenches, I rarely pull out my Ingersoll Rand air ones anymore, it's always cordless.

I dunno, I think a few of those have already fallen too - or nearly so. While not necessarily superior or even equal on every attribute, my airsaw, nibbler, and die grinder have all been replaced by battery powered versions. For my needs, any difference is easily outweighed by the convenience and cordless advantages. The last to be replaced was a really really nice Mac air powered die grinder. It's probably as nice as they get. But it's gathering dust today replaced by a battery tool.

My blower stuff is getting there more slowly. I have a Makita 18v leaf blower and nozzle that is amazing. I also have a little tiny handheld blower that works great for chip control on my machines. But compressed air or gasoline powered with an appropriate nozzle still excells when I want to blow out an air filter or move a whole driveway of debris fast. I'd guess that application will fold someday soon too. I can't wait for that day to arrive. I hate all the limitations of hoses (and cords) as well as the noise and reliability problems of gas. I'm really only using compressed air for a few rare blowing applications anymore.

I also have a Dewalt 20v tire inflator that conveniently but marginally handles my car and truck tire needs. It is inadequate for the big tire inflation needs on my farm though. Shop air on a fat hose is still king in that arena. I wouldn't bet that shop air compressor based HD tire inflation will go away in my lifetime - but never say never.

 

[canuck750]

Nice sized shop!
I've used black steel pipe for 25yrs with no problems, two 12ft lines coming out of the compressor and two 30ft rubber coil lines.

Now this is quick and dirty but works surprisingly well, an automotive A/C condenser ($30 on sale) and an old furnace fan.
Line comes from the 3 cylinder pump to the top of the condenser, fan cools the air, air and water drop back down into 80gal tank that I drain once a week or just before spraying paint.
7.5hp motor and 26cfm, I used this set up on a home built wet blaster and it worked well.
The specs on mine are similar to your weekend warrior but I can tell you air pressure is everything, expect the compressor to be running most of the time when blasting.

I really like your air cooling setup! I need to seriously consider ring one up just like yours.
My vapour blaster is an air hog, my compressor runs pretty much constantly when vapour blasting, I wouldn’t be without a vapour blaster, I use it more than any other shop tool.

 

[canuck750]

Youtube link to some good info on air systems by a pro. This is the guy behind the Bar Z summer bash, can't remember his name (Stan something)

Thanks!
Good information there.

 

[skippyelwell]

I really like your air cooling setup! I need to seriously consider ring one up just like yours.
My vapour blaster is an air hog, my compressor runs pretty much constantly when vapour blasting, I wouldn’t be without a vapour blaster, I use it more than any other shop tool.

Of course when wet blasting it doesn't matter if the air is dry or not, if you get a chance could you take a pic of the slurry pump on your machine? I've been using a series old pool pumps that last a few months and then are worn out from the abrasive.
Thanks

 

[canuck750]

Of course when wet blasting it doesn't matter if the air is dry or not, if you get a chance could you take a pic of the slurry pump on your machine? I've been using a series old pool pumps that last a few months and then are worn out from the abrasive.
Thanks

I will take a picture of the slurry pump next time I am at my current shop, I think it’s an Ingersol Rand 1 up unit, I have had the Vapor Honing Technologies Weekend Warrior for over seven years now and it has never let me down other than the pvc tubes that come out of the pump and dip into the hopper have snapped of a couple times but they are simple to replace. I just replaced the rubber door seal as it tends to shrink over time and then fluid leaks past the door. The only thing I wish my blaster had is a windshield wiper, Vapor Honing Technologies says I can’t retrofit my model with a wiper like the newer cabinets have. I just need to get a wiper motor from a wrecker and make my own.
I run fine glass bead and sometimes I add 25% aluminum oxide if I need to get real aggressive.

 

[skippyelwell]

I've always found that using glass beads on aluminum, it kind of shot peens the cast surface so you end up with not only a clean satin surface but it also closes up those tiny crevasses so the surface doesn't collect and hold the dirt the cast aluminum does.
That was important when restoring carbs and valve covers but I'm out of that now.