Air through PVC
- Thread starter gmhill33
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padronanniversary
Well-known member
I personally would not with PVC since it is not impact resistant and brittle compared to other offerings.
If you want simplicity, try the duratec line ...i.e. rapid air. Its fast, easy to run. Else run steel pipe or copper
If you want simplicity, try the duratec line ...i.e. rapid air. Its fast, easy to run. Else run steel pipe or copper
66HertzClone
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Please search here for this topic, thousands of threads on this. Not a wise thing to do. 
I think I might just use the 3/4' black iron pipe with 1/2' drops. It will be about two weeks before I start installing it some I'm sure I will have more questions.
Thanks,
Gary
Please search here for this topic, thousands of threads on this. Not a wise thing to do.
Thanks you sir.
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
Absolutely you can, many have done it and it is working fine for them and has for many, many years. But be prepared to be told of your impending death and dismemberment, be cursed at and spat upon by the "it'll kill you crowd", if you choose to do so...
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Is this for a business?
Mind if we send OSHA over?
Mind if we send OSHA over?
nate379
Banned
Don't do it!
The PVC police will come over, beat your dog, **** your wife and daughter, eat all your cookies and drink your beer then burn your garage down.
I'm warning you....
The PVC police will come over, beat your dog, **** your wife and daughter, eat all your cookies and drink your beer then burn your garage down.
I'm warning you....
mopar4wd
Well-known member
I think the OSHA comment is interesting I worked in a shop a few years ago that was inspected by OSHA that had schedule 80 airlines going everywhere 2" mains with 1.5" drops probably had almost 800' feet of it they never said a thing. The company had a large engineering dept and the system was designed in house my a mechanical engineer. Don't know the model but it was hooked to a large Kaser screw compressor.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
If it was indeed PVC (there are some ABS pipes suitable for compressed air), the inspector and your mechanical engineer both dropped the ball.
ddawg16
Well-known member
And lets not forget that PVC is made from petrolum...so if you use PVC you are only enabling the likes of BP and middle east oil companies....
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
While many may frown on OSHA and their rules, they have saved hundreds, if not thousands from various injuries or possibly death, with their rules and inspections. They are not perfect and sometimes the rules go overboard, but there is a reason for the rules, and like other safety devices like fire extinguishers, if you tend to follow the rules established for commercial businesses......... in your own shop, you have just added an extra level of safety to what you do.
The manufacturers of PVC pipe and fittings clearly state in their technical documentation that it is not intended for compressed GASSES, and this includes air. Any engineer who approves such an installation is not following the specifications of the manufacturer of the product.
Charles
The manufacturers of PVC pipe and fittings clearly state in their technical documentation that it is not intended for compressed GASSES, and this includes air. Any engineer who approves such an installation is not following the specifications of the manufacturer of the product.
Charles
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Use iron/steel pipe.
Even the PVC manufacturers forbid using PVC with air. They don't even allow leak testing with air. I am SURE they would market it for compressed air if it was even relatively safe just for the sales $$$.
Even the PVC manufacturers forbid using PVC with air. They don't even allow leak testing with air. I am SURE they would market it for compressed air if it was even relatively safe just for the sales $$$.
tncatadjuster
Well-known member
I had PVC for a few years in my first shop. I never had a problem, but this was before the internet.
I now simply use a good quality air hose in place of the PVC, not as cheap and easy, also does not have the aesthetic that is required by a large number.
Hose works well for 12 years now.
I now simply use a good quality air hose in place of the PVC, not as cheap and easy, also does not have the aesthetic that is required by a large number.
Hose works well for 12 years now.
Daniel Dudley
Well-known member
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- Sep 4, 2009
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IIRC, PVC pipe is NOT designed or recommended for air line use. OTOH, God looks after fools and idiots, so if you feel like you are one of those types, go right ahead and use it.
Why any otherwise intelligent person would tell you it is fine is beyond me. It's kinda like the guys who tell you it is fine to dump motor oil on the ground near your well. Plenty of them here too. That doesn't make it right.
Why any otherwise intelligent person would tell you it is fine is beyond me. It's kinda like the guys who tell you it is fine to dump motor oil on the ground near your well. Plenty of them here too. That doesn't make it right.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Use a good quality pipe dope on your joints. You don't need a pipe threader if you have some flexibility in where your drops will be. You can buy an assortment of various length pipe ******* and return what you don't use. Plan on putting in a few unions to make servicing easier.
For more info:
http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm
http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/airline-piping-diagram.pdf
For more info:
http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm
http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/airline-piping-diagram.pdf
mopar4wd
Well-known member
Now that you mention ABS that may be right I had assumed it was PVC but it did have a light grey color almost like electrical conduit.
one word of advice .. when i did mine i bought homedepo black pipe well with new cutters and such and not my first time ... the pipe was junk oblong and ****** threads would cut after many attemps, so much i brought it back to depo and man in plumbing said many folks brought it back for same reason, they said they even had a hard time cutting it there... i just used copper and it was SO MUCH EASIER... just my 2 cents have fun.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Driving without seat belts works too, up until the moment that it doesn't.
There are documented reasons why PVC pipe shouldn't be used for compressed air. People can choose to ignore them if they wish, but it doesn't change the laws of physics. Maybe those people should think about whether they want to endanger their friends or wives or children who may be in the shop, if and when the pipe decides to fail.
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Yeah and you could die tomorrow Stuart. See that orange '53 Ford pickup in my icon, no seat belts is one of the perks. PVC works for air lines...if used the world will not stop turning.
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BillK
Well-known member
Gary,
If you have it in your budget to spend a few bucks extra, take a look at this material. Real easy to use and looks good too. Really not all that expensive for your typical home garage or shop. These are two different manufacturers.
http://www.garage-pak.com/compresse...tion/compressed-air-piping-system-safety.html
http://www.trident.on.ca/Transair-compressed-air-piping.htm
If you have it in your budget to spend a few bucks extra, take a look at this material. Real easy to use and looks good too. Really not all that expensive for your typical home garage or shop. These are two different manufacturers.
http://www.garage-pak.com/compresse...tion/compressed-air-piping-system-safety.html
http://www.trident.on.ca/Transair-compressed-air-piping.htm
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
Don't do it!
The PVC police will come over, **** your dog, beat your wife and daughter, burn all your cookies and drink your beer. Then, eat your garage.
I'm warning you....
I fixed it for you!
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Gary-
Look up other threads here re that HF stuff, garage pak, etc. There have been problems with fittings, leaks, etc. Being plastic, it does not cool the air properly either. It is way to many $$$ for an inferior product. Of course if a person can't use pipe dope and screw pipes together or silver solder hard copper tubing it is an alternative.
Abbott, your definition of "works" must be off kilter somewhere. PVC is dangerous for compressed air. I have seen the results when it explodes. It is not pretty. Telling someone to use a product that is known to be dangerous by most people and even the manufacturers is just not cool. We have enough dangerous situations and materials in our shops, we don't need to be adding more. Especially since it may not be just the installer that is injured. We should avoid placing our wives, children, and friends in any more danger.
Look up other threads here re that HF stuff, garage pak, etc. There have been problems with fittings, leaks, etc. Being plastic, it does not cool the air properly either. It is way to many $$$ for an inferior product. Of course if a person can't use pipe dope and screw pipes together or silver solder hard copper tubing it is an alternative.
Abbott, your definition of "works" must be off kilter somewhere. PVC is dangerous for compressed air. I have seen the results when it explodes. It is not pretty. Telling someone to use a product that is known to be dangerous by most people and even the manufacturers is just not cool. We have enough dangerous situations and materials in our shops, we don't need to be adding more. Especially since it may not be just the installer that is injured. We should avoid placing our wives, children, and friends in any more danger.
Mike in Ohio
Well-known member
Send 'em over, I got fresh box of shells and a full tank in the backhoe.
1320stang
Well-known member
e-tek
Well-known member
In addition to the safety factor the iron pipe will work much better for cooling and condensing the water vapor out of the air which will keep you from running water thru your air tools & ruining them.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Jeezus H. Christ, the write up makes it sound like a small injury. He blowed the meat right off of his hand.
And yes........that..... ladies and gentlemen, will make you scream in agony like a little schoolgirl along with filling your pants full.
regguy1
Well-known member
Charles, you're always a voice of reason in a sea opinions... well said.
regguy1
Well-known member
You also might consider these type of air line kits, thread here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60238
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60238
regguy1
Well-known member
Yes, "The cheapest isn't always the least expensive"
Yawn.
IMO PVC works for air lines just fine for personal shops. I know several guys that have been using it for up to 20 years without a problem. All a guy needs to do is place it properly where there is little chance for it to get banged up.
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