air line size

[KaotiK TrendZ]

okay just to say im new to this whole air compressor setup in my garage and need to know what size tubing i should plumb it with. i am looking at buying a husky pro (link below) 30 gal air compressor and using pex tubing, if i can find it locally and can figure out how to attach to fittings without leaks. So i need to know if i should run 1/4" or 1/2" pex. I will have about a 12-15 ft run to a t-fitting and then one run from that will be about 12-15 ft to a quick connect and then the other one from the t-fitting will only be about 3 ft to the quick disconnect. i am not looking to do any professional paint jobs or anything big. i am using this to work on motorcycles and basic auto stuff. may dable with the occasional painting of motorcycle parts here and there. i tried to search for another thread covering this but didnt find any. any help would be appreciated. thanks


http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

PEX is not rated for air. Manufacturers will not warranty it for that use. Also, most if not all PEX do not have UV inhibitors- so mounting it to the walls is probably not a good idea.
And your suggested sizes are too small.
You need at the least- 3/4".
DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT PVC!

Copper is probably the best bet. Relatively easy to work with and easy to change/reconfigure. After that- black pipe.

Configuration of the line system is also very important- starting with a loop system. From there it's building a correct drop.

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

a 3/4" run is ok even though i am not using a big 220-240v compressor?

so does the copper have to be soldered to fittings? trying to make it somewhat simple due to the fact i might be selling house within the next year. hate to leave everything i installed or leave it and take a huge loss in $$. air compressor is going with me though haha.

what do you mean by loop system? i was just going to have one line basically running straight to a quick connect and about 3ft from the connect i was going to have a t fitting where another line will split offi am assuming a loop setup is just like it sounds, a constant loop. so would it be correct to make a loop run with two t-fitting in it to have my two connects coming off of it? i plan on having a pressure regulator at both connections. one connect will be by my work bench and the other will be on the ceiling with a retractable air line.

thanks again for speedy reply. trying to get the just of all of this by the 1st so i can go buy everything i need.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

PEX will work just fine for air supply lines, do a search here. You don't need anything bigger than half inch for a compressor of that size, even that is overkill.

 

[akdiesel]

PEX will work just fine for air supply lines, do a search here. You don't need anything bigger than half inch for a compressor of that size, even that is overkill.

X2.
If you are possibly selling in a year I would just get a 50' hose reel mounted close the compressor and use that. You can take the hose reel with you then.

 

[E.Marquez]

Only you can decide if you want something done better, something that will work, something done BEST.

If you’re not sure on being in that house inside 12 months... I’m with the soft line guy above.. I'd splurge on a nice real, add two 50ft lines to the mix and a y splitter for the few times you might want a second line.
Then direct hook to the compressor.
After that, I prefer black pipe to copper, but to each his own.
You can build whatever you need from pre made lengths, but it’s more $$.. Cutting your own and threading is easy, but time consuming.

 

[socapots]

not to be the guy that says spend more.
But for 50 bucks more you can move up in the compressor size. And it will certainly be all you need. Only bad part is it will be 220.
i am personally in the better to have more then you think you need, way of thinking.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

edit: and im with the others when it comes to the soft line. If you are not sure whats going to happen in the next year. Why spend the money on something you will not take with you.
Last i herd copper was pretty expensive.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

trying to make it somewhat simple due to the fact i might be selling house within the next year.

Since you didn't mention this previously-
I'm with everyone else, just go with one or two hose reels and call it a day.
If it does turn into a longtime stay then you can consider something better.

 

[SteveU]

One problem I see of hooking the hose reels directly to the compressor is having water in the hose. When I first got my compressor I had a 100' hose hooked directly to the compressor & had water coming out everytime I used air, luckily I didn't have any air tools then or I'd have ruined them. One of the main things metal pipe does is cool the air & condense the water vapor out of it so your water filter can get it before it gets into your hose & tools. Without some sort of pipe the vapor will condense out in the hose & raise havoc with your air tools. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, this works well for me & no more water.
<a href="http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk54/SteveU_/?action=view&current=FamilyPhotos0506642.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk54/SteveU_/FamilyPhotos0506642.jpg" border="0" alt="Air pipe setup, That's an 8' step ladder for comparison."></a>

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk54/SteveU_/FamilyPhotos0506642.jpg

 

[sberry]

You don't need 3/4 and you don't need a loop. If this was a class 8 truck shop then yes but small home shop it is pointless especially with a comp that size, or even twice that for that matter.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

Let me put it this way: Any air compressor sold on wheels does not need a piping system. The wheels indicate it is meant to be portable. People don't pipe portable compressors, there's just no need to.

Some people on this website are way too paranoid about a little water in their air. A little water mist won't hurt your tool if you lube it properly. The only place it causes major problems is with using a paint gun.

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

thanks all for the input. yea i probably should look at just using a 50' reel. i honestly would like to be out of this house by next dec, depending on the housing market of course. damn equity dropped too low.... anyways i had thoughts of installing 6" strips of 1/2' plywood along the walls and ceiling (putting a screw through the plywood strip into the stud/rafter) to run my pipe/tubing on so if i can sell the house i could just cut at the elbow, unscrew the plywood strips, and take the strips with pipe/tubing on them with me.

As for the compressor, i would love to upgrade to the bigger one and that was actually my plan but i didnt want to pay an arm and a leg to someone to run a 220 plug for me. i dont know a whole lot about AC and honestly i am scared to even touch it haha. i was looking at the the location and breaker box location and i could actually get away with putting the bigger compressor right beside the breaker box, but dunno how much easier it would be to put a 220 plug right beside the box, or below. right now i was going to plug the 110 compressor into my (only) gfi plug in the front wall of the garage. this ***** cuz i really want the bigger compressor....

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

Oh and what is the black tubing that a few of you are referring to? can i get it locally or would i have to order online. thats the issue i am having now. if i was to use say pex, home depot doesnt have it.

 

[akdiesel]

If you really want to go with an air system then copper, black pipe, or even stainless would be the best to use, and if you also do choose to go this route then I would recommend 3/4", simply for future planning.
Home Depot or Lowes sell the first two. The black pipe is simply schedule 40 pipe and they come in various lengths up to 10' at those two places. Lots of threads on the install of both so I wont go into it.
As for installing a 220 outlet. This would only aid in selling your place. The more you can do to sweeten the deal the better, as long as it is cost effective. You will gain by being able to use for the short time there and the new owner might be just like you with needs.

 

[kams1973]

Here's some information that may be helpful.
http://www.aircomparts-air-compressors.com/catalog/49.htm

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

agreed, i think if the new owner likes to work on cars/bikes, a 220 plug would be great to have. i am in the garage now as i type and looked a little closer at things. i might be able to have this done for a minimal amount. before that wall was cluttered up and had no plans on putting the compressor on that wall but now that i cleaned the garage out i can see the box and wall space better. it doesnt look to be that hard to remove the breaker box cover and install the 220 plug in the wall space next to it. i am going to call around and see what someone would charge to put one in.

 

[KaotiK TrendZ]

more on thoughts.... if i did go with the bigger compressor and installed a 220 plug, it would actually be where i needed one of the drops anyways and if i did a 50ft reel, i wouldnt even have to pipe anything in.... looks like im going to save $$ if i go the 220 route.

thanks all again!