Air Lines - Copper Pipe Sale

[Chezelle]

Hello,

Thought I'd pass this on for those wanting to use the pricey copper pipe for your air lines. I just got my weekly Lowes ad and saw they have all Copper Pipe types L, M and K on sale for 20% off - discount taken at register - valid 10/14/07 through 10/21/07. I'm in NC but assume its at all Lowes.

Then you could also go to eBay and buy a Lowes 10% off coupon sent via email and get another 10% off for 30% off.

Bry

 

[Quiksilver]

We got the same ad here in Ohio. I would assume it is available at all Lowes.

 

[bluesman2a]

So if I'm looking for air lines which type do I want? What's the difference between L M and K?

 

[PAToyota]

Thickness of the tubing - M is the thinnest, L is medium, and K is the thickest. M is basically only for residential plumbing and I don't even use it for that on my projects. Commercial plumbing has to be done in either L or K. I've been using L for my air lines and household plumbing.

 

[PoorOwner]

Too bad the price raised 20% since 6 months ago.. this should make it about $20 a piece again then (Type L is what I used)

 

[bluesman2a]

Thickness of the tubing - M is the thinnest, L is medium, and K is the thickest. M is basically only for residential plumbing and I don't even use it for that on my projects. Commercial plumbing has to be done in either L or K. I've been using L for my air lines and household plumbing.

With that in mind, would L be sufficient for the full 175PSI from my 2 stage compressor, or should I step up to K?

 

[bmwpower]

With that in mind, would L be sufficient for the full 175PSI from my 2 stage compressor, or should I step up to K?

L is more than enough.

 

[PAToyota]

I've posted this before, but here are the allowable pressures for various sizes of copper: http://www.coppercanada.ca/publications/pub28E/28e-publicationptb6.html

Until you get to the larger stuff, you are well within the allowable pressures for even Type M. However, Type M is not allowed for commercial water use or for pressurized gases.

Another good resource is the Copper Handbook: http://64.90.169.191/applications/plumbing/techref/cth/cth_toc.html

 

[D KRAGER]

I have used sch 40 pvc pipe for air lines. Much cheaper than copper. Although i don't know the codes on this. I have used for over 5 years no probs yet. Using 2 stage compressor 175 psi.

 

[PAToyota]

I have used sch 40 pvc pipe for air lines.

Might want to search a bit - reasons for NOT using PVC have been discussed to death.

 

[D KRAGER]

My bad, new here.... I just found that. Interesting stuff. I've never heard of anything bad happening. I'll have to reconsider how I use it.

 

[ksp]

So would I be ok in using 3/4 Type M tubing for 130 PSI. Just have a single stage compressor. In the future would it still be ok for up to 175?

 

[bmwpower]

So would I be ok in using 3/4 Type M tubing for 130 PSI. Just have a single stage compressor. In the future would it still be ok for up to 175?

yes........

 

[PAToyota]

Type M is not approved for pressurized gas piping... Yes, you can possibly get away with it. But for the couple extra bucks it makes sense to do it right.

 

[MXtras]

For the record:

K - thickest, Green marking
L - medium, Blue marking
M - don't bother (Red marking, appropriate color = stop!)

Scott

 

[bmwpower]

Type M is not approved for pressurized gas piping... Yes, you can possibly get away with it. But for the couple extra bucks it makes sense to do it right.

For the record:

K - thickest, Green marking
L - medium, Blue marking
M - don't bother (Red marking, appropriate color = stop!)

Scott

Wait a minute...I thought M could be used?? BTW, I priced 3/4" at Depot the other week...$25 per stick of L....$17 per stick of M.

Per page 9 of the Handbook...

"Compressed Air—Use copper
tube of Types K, L or M determined by
the rated internal working pressures as
shown in Table 3. Brazed joints are
recommended."

 

[MXtras]

According to the charts, M is acceptable. That's true.

Scott