Compressor connection question

Chuckster815 · Mar 4, 2009

No, this is not another "copper vs. steel pipe" question

. I was wondering where to get the flexible connector that goes between the air compressor and the fixed piping? Where do you buy these and how much do they cost? Thanks.

mikeyr · Mar 4, 2009

TP Tools of course...

http://www.tptools.com/p/787,180_Flexible-Metal-Hose.html

baugie · Mar 4, 2009

I've used hydraulic hose with the swivel ends between the compressor and the fixed pipe on the farm for years....never had a problem. My business relies an having air pressure at all times.

Mezzanine · Mar 4, 2009

Your local independent hydraulic and hose shop will make one to your specs, ranging in cost from $4-$40 depending on what you want. I got a 12" long braided SS line in 3/4" with the end fittings I wanted for $25. And I got to help out the local boys.

C

Gary S · Mar 4, 2009

baugie said:
I've used hydraulic hose with the swivel ends between the compressor and the fixed pipe on the farm for years....never had a problem. My business relies an having air pressure at all times.

Yep, the local Farm stores have hydraulic hoses in any length you need, and as a bonus, they use the same 1/2" thread you probably have on your compressor.

kartracer55 · Mar 4, 2009

Grainger sells braided stainless hoses that are good to some pressure WAYYY higher than you need. I got a 3/4 ID with 3/4 NPT fittings about a foot long for like $30 IIRC. Spendy, but I don't have to worry about it...

catuck · Mar 4, 2009

I picked mine up at Home Depot.

e-tek · Mar 4, 2009

I used 1.5 feet of 1/2inch rubber hose and attached my own ends. Cost about 5bucks. Yuo don't need braided.

buening · Mar 4, 2009

I bought a 3/4" hydraulic hose that is 3ft long from the local farm store for about $8.

JimmyM · Mar 4, 2009

I've used one of those yellow coiled hoses before and works well

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97923

35mastr · Mar 4, 2009

JimmyM said:
I've used one of those yellow coiled hoses before and works well

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97923

You have a nice restriction right at the compressor with that hose.

e-tek · Mar 4, 2009

JimmyM said:
I've used one of those yellow coiled hoses before and works well

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97923

I'm hoping you didn't use 25 feet of 1/4inch hose right of the compressor!!!

larry4406 · Mar 5, 2009

I bought a short hydraulic hose at Tractor Supply with 1-inch NPT male ends with a high pressure rating (forget the rating, but much much higher than a compressor). Added a union and was done. Hose was cheap ~$20.

krooser · Mar 5, 2009

Any heavy truck repair shop or dealer can make a hose for you. I use a 2' piece of nylon air hose with compression fittings.... used fittings and 80 cents for the hose.

bgott · Mar 5, 2009

I saw a picture of a compressor on Craig's List tonight on which they had used a flexible stainless steel gas line between the compressor head and the tank. Any thoughts?

70redbee · Mar 5, 2009

bgott said:
I saw a picture of a compressor on Craig's List tonight on which they had used a flexible stainless steel gas line between the compressor head and the tank. Any thoughts?

Yep that is what I used on my compressor works great. Got it at Home Depot.

Steve in Mi · Mar 5, 2009

bgott said:
I saw a picture of a compressor on Craig's List tonight on which they had used a flexible stainless steel gas line between the compressor head and the tank. Any thoughts?

Vibration can cause stainless to work harden, become brittle and subject to failure by fracture. There are better choices - some have already been listed in this thread.

rickairmedic · Mar 7, 2009

Chuck I picked up all the copper and such for my new airlines tonight and one of the things I actually grabbed while at Homie Desperate was a 15" braided stainless water heater connector it has 3/4" female ends on it and should do the job nicely for less than $10.00 . They are in the water heater isle in the same area as the gas hoses and electric heater elements

.

Rick

35mastr · Mar 8, 2009

Not to Hijack,But while on the connection thoughts.What size pipe are you guys using to out fit the shop?1/2" or 3/4"?

I notoiced on my compressor that the plug on the tank is 2" and adapts directly to 1/2".I was thinking of running 3/4.Would there be an issue with the CFM going to the larger pipe.

I have another 2" plug that goes dirctly to 3/4" on hand if it wont be an issue.

Compressor is a IR 15 CFM one.

rickairmedic · Mar 8, 2009

George I am running 3/4" through my garage iys really not much more than 1/2" and gives more space for air plus it is large enough it will help release the evil moisture from the air. The most expensive thing I got yesterday and I spent $200.00 on pipe and fittings was the full port ball valves to go inline before the hose reels and also to go at the end of the drops( water drops ) . I am comming out of the compressor with 1/2" and bumping up to 3/4" before I go into my flex hose.

Rick

Steve in Mi · Mar 8, 2009

35mastr said:
Not to Hijack,But while on the connection thoughts.What size pipe are you guys using to out fit the shop?1/2" or 3/4"?

I notoiced on my compressor that the plug on the tank is 2" and adapts directly to 1/2".I was thinking of running 3/4.Would there be an issue with the CFM going to the larger pipe.

I have another 2" plug that goes dirctly to 3/4" on hand if it wont be an issue.

Compressor is a IR 15 CFM one.

I used 3/4 Cu for the main line end to end of my shop and 1/2" on the branches to the side walls that feed both upstairs and down.

If you can get the 2" to 1/2" reducing bushing out and install the 2" to 3/4" that would be the best. I found that a socket and 6' bar would not budge mine, also an IR 5 HP 2 stage. Heat would probably do the trick but I couldn't bring myself to scorching the new paint.

Hope yours is easier to get loose. So with that 1/2" restriction I immediately increased size to 3/4" and tied the compressor to the piping with a 3/4" hydraulic hose.

mad57 · Mar 8, 2009

rickairmedic said:
Chuck I picked up all the copper and such for my new airlines tonight and one of the things I actually grabbed while at Homie Desperate was a 15" braided stainless water heater connector it has 3/4" female ends on it and should do the job nicely for less than $10.00 . They are in the water heater isle in the same area as the gas hoses and electric heater elements .

Rick

good idea, is it rated for 175 psi ?

rickairmedic · Mar 8, 2009

MAd I dont know for sure but My system doesnt run over 135 LBS anyways and I am quite sure its rated for at least that . I will do a little research real quick and let ya know

.

Rick

35mastr · Mar 9, 2009

I am going to try to get that plug out and put the 2"to 3/4 one on.I finally got it to where it need to be in my shed.I made up 4 4'Uhmw round pads for the feet.

I rolled it over by hand to make sre that there was no oil in the head.

Then I ran my welder cord to the garage and plugged it in.It runs like new and not all that noisy either.I was suprised.

I ran a die grinder wide open thinking it would **** it right down.It held at 90 PSI and still had all the CFM to run that tool non stop.I was impressed.

This is the only compressor that I have ever used that the air comes out hot.It was not all that warm out yesterday either.In the 60's with a crisp light wind.

All of the ones that I have used over all these years are usually cold.Especially in the winter.

Is this normal?

Steve in Mi · Mar 9, 2009

35mastr said:
This is the only compressor that I have ever used that the air comes out hot.
Is this normal?

Yes it will be warm to hot with run time. The 80 gal. tank on my IR compressor warms up a little near the top.

Steve in Mi · Mar 9, 2009

rickairmedic said:
Chuck I picked up all the copper and such for my new airlines tonight and one of the things I actually grabbed while at Homie Desperate was a 15" braided stainless water heater connector it has 3/4" female ends on it and should do the job nicely for less than $10.00 . They are in the water heater isle in the same area as the gas hoses and electric heater elements .

Rick

Rick these corregated flex SS lines are designed to take-up any misalignment or fit-up problems on a water heater install. I stated above some concerns about its use in a situation where there is continuous flexing caused by vibration. The commerical/industrial flex hoses with SS braid on the outside are a different animal entirely and generally much more costly. Even if what you bought is rated for the pressure will it take the vibration?

If you have a TSC (tractor supply) store near you they will have hydraulic hose all made up good for the pressure and vibration and very reasonable. You don't need but about a 1 - 2 foot hose to stop the transfer of vibration. A hose of this length and even up to 3/4" should be less than $10.00. You can order on-line but then there might be the added S&H, sometimes S&H is free or $4.95. I don't mean to be pushy, just concerned so I suggest this other option - you decide.

rickairmedic · Mar 9, 2009

Steve what I got was a braided stainless water heater connector not the corregated type . I dont even like those on water heaters as there is no reason for missalighnment on a water heater if you cut the pipes right and prefit before soldering things back up

. I dont even like using the corregated flex gas lines on water heaters or furnaces furnaces especially since you can get a slight vibration from a furnace as well.

Rick

Steve in Mi · Mar 9, 2009

rickairmedic said:
Steve what I got was a braided stainless water heater connector not the corregated type . I dont even like those on water heaters as there is no reason for missalighnment on a water heater if you cut the pipes right and prefit before soldering things back up . I dont even like using the corregated flex gas lines on water heaters or furnaces furnaces especially since you can get a slight vibration from a furnace as well.

Rick

Okay, your thinking it thru. The hot water heater connectors also take-up the expansion and contraction from thermo cycling. Sometimes a replacement tank may not be the exact height or diameter of the old one so the flex connectors can sometimes solve a problem w/o pipe modification plus they provide the clearance needed to move a tank in and out of position. Anyway 60 psi water is much different than 150 psi air. The inner core of the braided SS hoses can be of different materials - I have some that has a teflon core.

BTW, the OP hasn't come back.

dustym · Mar 11, 2009

braided steel from TP tools.

Compressor connection question

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