Using rubber air hose to plumb shop..
- Thread starter Kail
- Start date
I'm betting I'll see some Cal-hawk tools when I click on his sig.
No actually 90% of my tools are snap-on or Mac, hell my flashlight cost more than this entire shop plumbing.
But most of my tools were bought when I worked for someone else (and carried several credit accounts). Since I am a small business owner I decide where to spend my money. With no outside investments, I choose to spend it on things like a Rotory A-symmetrical lift (which i love btw) and save the bank on airhose.
Also I wanted to try something new, and prove all the nay sayers wrong. Not everyone has a million dollar budget most guys barely have enough money to do anything in the garage after paying bills and feeding kids, so a little light at the end of the tunnel for these guys is nice.
Some people on here will spend an extra $50-100 like its pocket change, but I don't have this luxury. I save every nickle I can because I don't want to borrow my way to the top.
I hear that, I was just teasing. More power to ya if you can make it work. You seem smart enough to know the pitfalls and downsides to be wary of.
In another 6 months if you get a bubble and have to switch to black pipe your short term savings may not pay off.
In another 6 months if you get a bubble and have to switch to black pipe your short term savings may not pay off.
Kail, I don't see this as being any different than running hard lines to several "reels" of rubber.
I think you'll be fine. One thing I was considering, though, is now that they'll be off the floor and out of the way - you may not keep an eye on them like before. So, seeing an issue like a cut or bubble is less likely. These things can still happen being on the wall, say from getting nicked by something that bumped into it, etc. In a working environment, like yours, that stuff does happen. Are your hoses black? I think that'd be the only drawback - since inspecting lines on black hose will be a little more tedious.
I think you'll be fine. One thing I was considering, though, is now that they'll be off the floor and out of the way - you may not keep an eye on them like before. So, seeing an issue like a cut or bubble is less likely. These things can still happen being on the wall, say from getting nicked by something that bumped into it, etc. In a working environment, like yours, that stuff does happen. Are your hoses black? I think that'd be the only drawback - since inspecting lines on black hose will be a little more tedious.
darkk
Well-known member
I would run 3/4" pex tubing around the wall and 1/2" drops at whatever points you want. Those flexible air kits for sale don't seen to function very well. Lot of guys complaining they leak air like crazy. Im doing pex tubing in mine.
burnitwithfire
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2010
- Messages
- 42
Good point. If the rubber air line on the wall ruptures, it'll whip around harmlessly because it is fastened high on the wall. If the hose on the ground ruptures, it'll whip around and potentially injure you or damage a car.
Quality rubber hose lasts a long time and is durable. The word here is QUALITY.
thanks for the replies everyone.
The hoses are about 12 ft off the ground, so the only way they would leak is from constant expansion and retraction due to heat and pressure, and maybe with this they could leak where one of the clamps are... but I think after all the torture I have put these through in cars and on the ground I should be ok.
I do turn the compressor off at night and the only time it leaks is if I have a tool plugged in with a funky fitting.. but if all the hoses are rolled up with nothing on the ends.. no leaks. I do glance at the pressure gauge every morning and if it is lower than what I left it with the night before I can inspect for leaks.
But if I was really following the rules I would empty the tank at night but oh well.
If I encounter any issues I will post them and my solution.. or if I decide to do so I will let you know if I scrap the system and why.
in the meantime... don't worry about being cheap, just be safe and logical about it!
The hoses are about 12 ft off the ground, so the only way they would leak is from constant expansion and retraction due to heat and pressure, and maybe with this they could leak where one of the clamps are... but I think after all the torture I have put these through in cars and on the ground I should be ok.
I do turn the compressor off at night and the only time it leaks is if I have a tool plugged in with a funky fitting.. but if all the hoses are rolled up with nothing on the ends.. no leaks. I do glance at the pressure gauge every morning and if it is lower than what I left it with the night before I can inspect for leaks.
But if I was really following the rules I would empty the tank at night but oh well.
If I encounter any issues I will post them and my solution.. or if I decide to do so I will let you know if I scrap the system and why.
in the meantime... don't worry about being cheap, just be safe and logical about it!
Frank The Plumber
Well-known member
If you are persistent enough, argue long enough, ignore good advice vehemently enough, you will find, that no matter what you propose, you will always be absolutely and abstinately correct.
That will serve you well until such time as you are not the recipient of your own products.
And then the fun starts.
That will serve you well until such time as you are not the recipient of your own products.
And then the fun starts.
Kail, If you do have a concern about a rupture and hose whip, you could install a high flow cut-off on your system. With as few tools that you say you're running you might be able to install right off the compressor tank. I have these on each drop in my shop. But the drops are close to 20 feet, so a hose whip on that could be a real problem.