Suggestions on running air around garage....

[chain]

Like the title says. Looking for suggestions on running air around the garage.

I know someone that uses PVC and according to them it's held up great. I like the thought of how easy it is to work with but would you trust it? I don't want to deal with black pipe. It works but it's a pain to deal with. In the end I am looking for something that isn't too expensive, fairly easy to work with, and is clean looking. Thanks

 

[The Cobbler]

the weekly, or is that daily? thread on airlines.
do not use pvc.
I used type L copper.

 

[chain]

This is my home garage so it won't get all that much use. Not even weekly. More when I happen to be working on a project here and there.

 

[rharman]

I just hung a retractable reel in the middle of the ceiling. That and an extension or two when needed has served me well for years.

 

[ddawg16]

3 Drops....one at the work bench....

One in the middle.....

And one by the garage door on a reel......that is the one you drag out to air up the tires on the car.

As noted above, don't even think about PVC

Iron, copper or 3/4" Pex

 

[jismay]

My garage isn't huge, but I do end up using air & airtools in the driveway as well. I have a simple hand-crank reel on the end of the workbench with 50' of hose on it.

Easy enough to pull off what I need either inside the garage or out in the driveway.

Long-term I may extend a hardline around to the other workbench on the other side of the garage, but for now the reel works well for me.

 

[bucktruck]

I would love to hear first-hand stories of PVC failures, especially in shops that see limited air compressor use.

/ducking

 

[Mr_B]

For home small garage quick solution I just use decent hose run down roof joist mounting timber and done a tee half way then finish near door so used for feeding to yard etc. lasts for years, cheap/quick and easily changed, removed etc.
If using a lot or want something last years then copper or iron is way to go, copper would be my choice .

 

[garagejunkie]

Just put up Rapid Air around the shop with 6 drops.Easy,quick works great.Used the 1 inch hard line with 3/4 inch drops.

 

[MushCreek]

I wouldn't use PVC, but I did when I had my own machine shop years ago. 7 years of daily, heavy use, including a period when we ran it at 175 psi (!) when we were testing a prototype product. No failures, but I wouldn't chance it. PEX is cheaper, faster, and safer. Copper or iron pipe is better, but more money and work.

 

[superskaterxes]

Just put up Rapid Air around the shop with 6 drops.Easy,quick works great.Used the 1 inch hard line with 3/4 inch drops.

i used this too, quality is awesome and it was easy to put up.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I saw an air tank at the scrap yard last week with just a few rust holes along the bottom. JB weld would fix it right up. They might even have a refrigerator you could get a compressor from.

 

[Jon_E]

I saw an air tank at the scrap yard last week with just a few rust holes along the bottom. JB weld would fix it right up. They might even have a refrigerator you could get a compressor from.

Nice.

Another new member who didn't bother to do a search first.

 

[moneypit_k5]

I saw an air tank at the scrap yard last week with just a few rust holes along the bottom. JB weld would fix it right up. They might even have a refrigerator you could get a compressor from.

Great advice!!

Where are you from?

 

[moneypit_k5]

I would love to hear first-hand stories of PVC failures, especially in shops that see limited air compressor use.

/ducking

I would also like to hear this.

I ran PVC in my home garage for about 5 years. went thru all kinds of heat cycles. Worked great.


That said, when I built my shop I used iron pipe. There are a lot of advantages with iron pipe that a poly or plastic pipe/tubing wont have.

In iron, the air cools fast, allowing moisture to form into water, making your air drier (provided you have proper fall/drops).

On long runs, plastic pipe has a tendency to lose pressure because the pipe is absorbing the pressure.

 

[GMCGarage]

The search function here *****.

 

[moneypit_k5]

that is a true thing! cant stand it.

 

[Angelfire]

The search function here *****.

I don't use the forum search anymore. I use google and it works pretty well. Enter your search terms followed by "site:garagejournal.com" if you're not familiar:

search terms site:garagejournal.com

 

[moneypit_k5]

that is very helpful info thanks!

 

[bczygan]

Please install PVC............and a webcam!

 

[steve308]

Go to --Northerntool.com / airline kit / every thing you need / but I prefer copper.

Oh - just search - pictures of pvc air line explosions -----

 

[moneypit_k5]

Go to --Northerntool.com / airline kit / every thing you need / but I prefer copper.

Oh - just search - pictures of pvc air line explosions -----

Also when you go on youtube, search commercial airline crashes. Id wager they are about as common.

This comment posted by someone WHO HAS ACTUALLY USED PVC

 

[moneypit_k5]

Go to --Northerntool.com / airline kit / every thing you need / but I prefer copper.

Oh - just search - pictures of pvc air line explosions -----

Id like to add. Per your advice, i did just search youtube for pvc air line explosions. I found folks testing the fail point of the pipe at over 600psi.

Thats right, 600PSI. That is the pressure PVC is rated to.

 

[csp]

Not everyone who smokes gets cancer, but that doesn't make it a good idea to smoke.

 

[James E]

Plenty of members here have had or seen failures of PVC. The anecdotal evidence is compelling.

I had a neighbor across the street that installed PVC runs all over his garage. He used it often. Never had a problem.

Just keep in mind that if it fails, it tends to fail explosively and PVC shrapnel is sharp.

 

[moneypit_k5]

So far all ive heard is very removed uncles brothers story. So your only direct experience is with your neighbor, and his is fine. Ooookkk

Risk mitigation. More to likely win the lotto.

 

[rburke65]

Well you can run what ever you feel comfortable with. You ant easy, cheap, looks good, longevity.....won't happen. PVC is NOT recomnded. Period. Run what ya want.......

 

[moneypit_k5]

Lets keep this in perspective. As i stated, I run a shop and have multiples processes that require consistant ultra-dry air. All day 5-7 days a week. I also have relatively long runs.
Thus, steel for me. Not about esthetics.

Im saying I have run pvc in my garage, and it worked just fine. Cost all of $20. Not te same need, not the same cost.

Seems like all you naysayers have zero personal experience. That amounts to second "well i heard". Second hand hearsay Means less than nothing.

If someone has personally had the stuff explode/remove eyes and kill kittens when running 140 psi thru it, please chime in.

 

[csp]

Seems like all you naysayers have zero personal experience. That amounts to second "well i heard". Second hand hearsay Means less than nothing.

Nothing? One wouldn't have to experience Russian roulette to know it's a bad idea.

You're one of those guys that refuses to understand the difference between hydraulic and pneumatic pressure. It isn't the same. Pressure ratings for non-compressible liquids are not the same as pressure ratings for compressible gases. One is not applicable to the other in the world of proper materials selection.

There are plenty of examples and photos of PVC that's exploded on the internet if you really want to know. Other folks photos are no more anonymous or credible than people posting first hand photos in this thread.

 

[moneypit_k5]

Hydraulic pressure and air pressure differences apply only to how this pipe ruptures. Inside the pipe, pressure is the same. And either way, this operating pressure is so fractional of the burst pressure it is irrelevent.

 

[mike93lx]

Hydraulic pressure and air pressure differences apply only to how this pipe ruptures. Inside the pipe, pressure is the same. And either way, this operating pressure is so fractional of the burst pressure it is irrelevent.

Not worth trying to explain the reality here

 

[Chris874]

RapidAir for me, simple, easy to install and expand.

 

[bczygan]

Hydraulic pressure and air pressure differences apply only to how this pipe ruptures. Inside the pipe, pressure is the same. And either way, this operating pressure is so fractional of the burst pressure it is irrelevent.

Are you the safety officer where you work?

Bill

 

[moneypit_k5]

Not worth trying to explain the reality here

Oh darn. I was hoping for a typed lesson on how air compresses thereby changing volume, and fluid does not.

 

[rburke65]

He said he wanted something clean and "easy to work with". Run the PVC. Let us know how it works for you. You won't be the first to use plastic pipe.

 

[-Brent-]

3 Drops....one at the work bench....

One in the middle.....

And one by the garage door on a reel......that is the one you drag out to air up the tires on the car.

As noted above, don't even think about PVC

Iron, copper or 3/4" Pex

Adding to that list is pex-al-pex like Maxline's RapidAir.

 

[chain]

Thanks for the responses everyone.....or most of you anyways. I'm checking out the Rapid Air and Maxline stuff. Fast Pipe looks really nice but it's not cheap.

As for the people that mentioned the search function. I know how to use a forum and I did try the search function. It wasn't much help. Sorry if it bothers you I posted a question. Chances are most anything we can talk about here has already been talked about. Guess it's time to shut the forum down.

 

[moneypit_k5]

If you do decide to go a plastic, might consider throwing an arbitrary length of steel line in, to help pull moisture out.

Good luck!

 

[chain]

I am actually thinking as much as I don't like running black pipe, I might just say screw it and go with it. It's the right price and while it might make for a few choice words flying out of my mouth, it will last and look good once done.

Me and another guy ran black pipe around a good sized machine shop when we were opening it up. We ran it high and worked on a scissor lift to get most of it done. We cut everything to length and threaded it all manually. It was a long and grueling process and ever since then, I have dreaded the though of ever running black pipe again. =)

Just need to remind myself in reality this is a small home garage and really isn't that big of a deal.

 

[moneypit_k5]

Man, you are ******** for threading by hand. I do not envy you. Call the local hardware stores and rent yards. They would probly rent a threader drill for $20 or so. Harbor freight sells one for about $150. I bought one, and happy i did. Managed to find other uses too, it works well to spin my tube roller.

Another thought, most places that sell tube will thread for low cost. I think HD is $1 per. But their tube is spendy.