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Plumbing shop for air

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ATC

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I'm finally in the process of installing my air compressor. I am going to plumb my shop with black pipe. I plan on only 2 drops....the one that will be used 95% of the time is the furthest away from the compressor. I'm guessing it will be around 50-55 feet of black pipe before it hits the 50' air hose.

I've been debating on using 3/4" or 1/2" pipe. I want to use 1/2", but am curious if it will flow enough to keep a 3/4" impact gun happy over that distance? Yes, I will be using the larger 1/2" rubber air hose and fittings when using the impact.
 
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Steevo

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For the small price difference, I'd go with 3/4 for the horizontal run, then 1/2" drops if you want to reduce.
I went with 3/4 black pipe for all of mine, including the drops. I have one drop at tank pressure, then regulated beyond that for the rest of the system.
 
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CNGsaves

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Sonds good OP. Don't forget to plan a location for hose reel. Often a good spot is up by garage doors so airhose can reach out to driveway.
 
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94EG8

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I went from 1/2" copper to 22mm/3/4 aluminum Quick Line and I definitely noticed a difference running an impact over a much shorter run than you have. Go 3/4" and run 3/8 couplers.
 
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Richard Cranium

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I feel it really don't do you any good to go bigger then the fitting on your compressor. That is all the air you will get out of it, or your smallest fitting. I have black 1/2 pipe for my shop because that is the size that comes out of my tank. I use my regulator as a portable where I need to use it, So I don't reduce my supply to my entire system.
 
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Zeke

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Richard Cranium said:
I feel it really don't do you any good to go bigger then the fitting on your compressor. That is all the air you will get out of it, or your smallest fitting. I have black 1/2 pipe for my shop because that is the size that comes out of my tank. I use my regulator as a portable where I need to use it, So I don't reduce my supply to my entire system.
Click to expand...

Not true. Air introduce to the pipe is restricted by by the fitting that supply's it but a small dia pipe with a few bends can definitely slow the transfer of air down. Give the air some room and it will come out just as it was put in.

Having a regulator at the output is a good idea.
 
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JimbosGarage

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I have a 60 gallon compressor with 6 drop locations, I used 3/4'' copper for everything. It all seems to work fine.
 
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94EG8

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Richard Cranium said:
I feel it really don't do you any good to go bigger then the fitting on your compressor. That is all the air you will get out of it, or your smallest fitting.
Click to expand...

The larger pipe adds to your air storage somewhat.

Also, the bigger thing is you will have less of a moisture issue when using larger pipe due to the slower velocity of air.
 
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OP
A

ATC

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CNGsaves said:
Sonds good OP. Don't forget to plan a location for hose reel. Often a good spot is up by garage doors so airhose can reach out to driveway.
Click to expand...

Yup...I've had a reel there for years. That's where our old compressor lives...right between the two doors.


Richard Cranium said:
I feel it really don't do you any good to go bigger then the fitting on your compressor.
Click to expand...

My compressor is a 60gal Curtis. The outlet is either 3/4 or 1". It's similar to this one:

product_9716_600.jpg




bobcatdan said:
Run 3/4", there is such a little price difference, there's no argument. That's what I put up.
Click to expand...

True. Like 94EG8 said as well...less moisture issue as well.
 
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sberry

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At that distance with 1 gun and using 1/2 hose the difference between 3/4 and 1/2 is moot. Personally like 1/2 when I can, so much easier to fit, refit 1 size of pipe. A 1/2 black pipe is almost 2x a 1/2 hose which will still be the main loss factor in this.
So much of this discussion involves design and codes that are for commercial applications, many with long runs, with multiple men following industrial averaging that really does not apply to a home system with small comps, single users in a shop with 2 outlets, 1 in use at a time.
 
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94EG8

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sberry said:
So much of this discussion involves design and codes that are for commercial applications, many with long runs, with multiple men following industrial averaging that really does not apply to a home system with small comps, single users in a shop with 2 outlets, 1 in use at a time.
Click to expand...

I thought this too before I went from 1/2" to 3/4" over a short 12' run. It definitely made a difference. I do run 3/8 H style couplers though. Most people still run 1/4 "A" since everyone has used it since dirt was new.
 
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