garageking
Well-known member
has anyone seen some stuff a guy used for air line,the stuff was blue,dont know if it was plastic or metal,any ideas,dont want to run black pipe,want something neater and quicker to put up
air line
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I think your looking for this http://www.garage-pak.com/
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
Eastwood carries a blue airline pipe system. I used schedule 40 PVC. A friend has had PVC in his shop for years. Mine has been installed for about 2 years.
MScott
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Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
Yup, the idiot 'Plastic People' are here again.OMG!!! Here we go again.
SpeedCoach
Well-known member
Many are blue..... Rapid air is shown in link in my sig
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
If you can't provide constructive information, why not keep your name calling to yourself? Before I used PVC, I checked the pressure rating and did extensive research and never turned up any factual reason not to use it.
Yup, the idiot 'Plastic People' are here again.
dwilliams35
Well-known member
PVC is not rated for air, it gets brittle & shatters, the fitting manufacturers state not to use PVC for compressed air, and if someone was to be dumb enough to use PVC in a place of employment & OSHA were to show it would be a EZ one for the OSHA rep to hand out a violation for it's use.
http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
This issue keeps floating to the surface over & over, check the link below for more.
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp...=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ab08b906c4821279
Capt Chrysler
Well-known member
ok why not PCV or cpvc.
Where my data came from. Local PVC plant. The oil from the air compressors break down the inside on the pipe. Making it brittle & it shatters.
Where my data came from. Local PVC plant. The oil from the air compressors break down the inside on the pipe. Making it brittle & it shatters.
BHR4CE1
Well-known member
Why not copper?
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
The thing to remember is the pressure rating for PVC pipe is for liquids, not for gases.
Besides the OSHA link above, you can also look up the ASTM spec for PVC pipe (ASTM D1785) or check the website for any manufacturer of PVC pipe.
This is from the Plastic Pipe Institute website at http://plasticpipe.org/pdf/recommendation-b_transport_compressed_gas.pdf
RECOMMENDATION B 1997
THERMOPLASTIC PIPING FOR THE TRANSPORT OF COMPRESSED AIR OR OTHER COMPRESSED GASES
Originally Adopted January, 1972
Revised December 30, 2005
The evaluation of thermoplastic piping for compressed gas service should
consider all pertinent design and safety factors. Chemical effects oxidation and
temperature should be taken into account. The Plastics Pipe Institute
recommends that thermoplastics piping intended for the transport of compressed
air or other compressed gases should be installed by burial, encasement in
shatter resistant material, or other appropriate means, to prevent or minimize the
possibility of mechanical damage.
Thermoplastic piping that fails from mechanical impact by shattering or whipping
can be hazardous to personnel. The potential safety hazard posed by failure
must take into consideration the nature of the material, internal pressure, pipe
size, and the nature of the gas.
Aboveground installations of thermoplastic piping should be installed per the
manufacturer’s recommendations using only products that are recommended by
the manufacturer for the particular intended service. Some thermoplastic pipe
materials have limited resistance to shatter-type failures from mechanical impact.
Suddenly released compressed gas can propel pipe shards or fragments.
Materials that can fail by shattering pose a hazard to employees if they are
installed above ground without encasement or other protection.
Other thermoplastic materials that resist shattering, may be sufficiently flexible
that if there is a failure or separation of the piping the piping can whip about
uncontrollably as the pipe is propelled by the energy of the suddenly
decompressing gas. Flexible aboveground piping should be properly restrained
to prevent or limit whipping of the piping material.
This has been discussed here on the Garage Journal board many times. Unfortunately, the search function doesn't work for three letter words (like PVC) but trust me, it comes up here every couple weeks or so.
Besides the OSHA link above, you can also look up the ASTM spec for PVC pipe (ASTM D1785) or check the website for any manufacturer of PVC pipe.
This is from the Plastic Pipe Institute website at http://plasticpipe.org/pdf/recommendation-b_transport_compressed_gas.pdf
RECOMMENDATION B 1997
THERMOPLASTIC PIPING FOR THE TRANSPORT OF COMPRESSED AIR OR OTHER COMPRESSED GASES
Originally Adopted January, 1972
Revised December 30, 2005
The evaluation of thermoplastic piping for compressed gas service should
consider all pertinent design and safety factors. Chemical effects oxidation and
temperature should be taken into account. The Plastics Pipe Institute
recommends that thermoplastics piping intended for the transport of compressed
air or other compressed gases should be installed by burial, encasement in
shatter resistant material, or other appropriate means, to prevent or minimize the
possibility of mechanical damage.
Thermoplastic piping that fails from mechanical impact by shattering or whipping
can be hazardous to personnel. The potential safety hazard posed by failure
must take into consideration the nature of the material, internal pressure, pipe
size, and the nature of the gas.
Aboveground installations of thermoplastic piping should be installed per the
manufacturer’s recommendations using only products that are recommended by
the manufacturer for the particular intended service. Some thermoplastic pipe
materials have limited resistance to shatter-type failures from mechanical impact.
Suddenly released compressed gas can propel pipe shards or fragments.
Materials that can fail by shattering pose a hazard to employees if they are
installed above ground without encasement or other protection.
Other thermoplastic materials that resist shattering, may be sufficiently flexible
that if there is a failure or separation of the piping the piping can whip about
uncontrollably as the pipe is propelled by the energy of the suddenly
decompressing gas. Flexible aboveground piping should be properly restrained
to prevent or limit whipping of the piping material.
This has been discussed here on the Garage Journal board many times. Unfortunately, the search function doesn't work for three letter words (like PVC) but trust me, it comes up here every couple weeks or so.
Last edited:
TLCDino
Well-known member
Black iron pipe!
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
You can say that again!At which point your research practices and abilities will come into question.
has anyone seen some stuff a guy used for air line,the stuff was blue,dont know if it was plastic or metal,any ideas,dont want to run black pipe,want something neater and quicker to put up
Search function is your friend,please remember.
robin1731
Well-known member
I drag race motorcycles. Back in the 70's and 80's some people used PVC to make an air tank for their air shifters. We use about 120-130 lbs of pressure for this. I saw a guy airing up his tank one time. The thing blew up like a bomb. One piece came within about 1/4" of taking out his eye. You will never see PVC be used for air in my shop.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
The old PVC debate again 
If one uses PVC for airlines, then one could also use a water hose in place of PEX or copper for running water lines in a house. It saves money 
If one uses PVC for airlines, then one could also use a water hose in place of PEX or copper for running water lines in a house. It saves money tdkkart
Well-known member
tdkkart
Well-known member
I seem to remember a big notice in National Dragster outlawing PVC air vessels, would have been in the late 80's or early 90's.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
IIRC I don't think the Search function recognizes only three letters.
tdkkart
Well-known member
ponchopower
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Yup, the idiot 'Plastic People' are here again.
And the idiot "anti-plastic people" show themselves as well.
ponchopower
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The blue stuff (ie, Rapidair) is NOT PVC. The components are from Parker. Certainly there are drawbacks, but safety is NOT one of them. Just as there are drawbacks for black pipe or copper.
For those saying "search is your friend" in this thread, and referring to PVC, I humbly suggest that search is YOUR friend too.
For those saying "search is your friend" in this thread, and referring to PVC, I humbly suggest that search is YOUR friend too.
Falcon67
Well-known member
It's a limitation of the board software. Just about every board has some low character search limit.
Yup, the idiot 'Plastic People' are here again.
The people who seem to think PVC is fine for air lines are the same sort who would use a match to illuminate the inside of a gas can, there are air lines of various plastic materials that are designed for compressed air,PVC is not, if you want to be the subject to a Darwin Award submission, that is your choice.
ponchopower
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Again - you're making my point about reading. I agree PVC is a non-starter. The OP EXPLICITLY asked about stuff that is NOT PVC. Other people made ***(umptions) and derailed the thread, and yet other people continued their name calling for anything that isn't metal.
nehog
Well-known member
If you want to use plastic, get yourself a roll of air-brake line, and some fittings. Not that expensive, easy to work with, and rated for the air pressure.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Try using google search for anything similar to this.
seach for "pvc site www.garagejournal.com"
or search for "pvc airlines site www.garagejournal.com"
and you will get over 1,000 hits.
As for using PVC pipe, I don't care what you do but I ran copper in mine that was silver soldered together. If PVC happens to blow in your garage, that is your problem and no different than not using jack stands or having a fire extingisher handy. It's not my problem.
seach for "pvc site www.garagejournal.com"
or search for "pvc airlines site www.garagejournal.com"
and you will get over 1,000 hits.
As for using PVC pipe, I don't care what you do but I ran copper in mine that was silver soldered together. If PVC happens to blow in your garage, that is your problem and no different than not using jack stands or having a fire extingisher handy. It's not my problem.
Torque1st
MEMBER EMERITUS
I put ponchopower on my ignore list a while back. I figure he is back to calling me names again.
No plastic material is as good as metal for cooling the air and separating the water vapor but it is sometimes easier to work with. It can be a nightmare to work with coiled products to get all the kinks and low spots out. If a person lives in an arid climate or just occasionally uses air plastic products rated for air are probably good enough.
Plastic tubing or fittings are not as safe as metal in a fire but then neither is a rubber/plastic air hose. Those of us with attached garages may be more concerned with fire safety than those with a detached structure.
I figure if a person is going to do a job they might as well have some fun in the shop and do it right the first time. Avoid endangering others with a poor choice of materials.
No plastic material is as good as metal for cooling the air and separating the water vapor but it is sometimes easier to work with. It can be a nightmare to work with coiled products to get all the kinks and low spots out. If a person lives in an arid climate or just occasionally uses air plastic products rated for air are probably good enough.
Plastic tubing or fittings are not as safe as metal in a fire but then neither is a rubber/plastic air hose. Those of us with attached garages may be more concerned with fire safety than those with a detached structure.
I figure if a person is going to do a job they might as well have some fun in the shop and do it right the first time. Avoid endangering others with a poor choice of materials.
ponchopower
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Yup, the idiot 'Plastic People' are here again.
The definition of hypocrisy.
ponchopower
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For gods sake, will people just go back and actually READ the thread rather than emotionally responding to what they "think" somebody may be talking about.
Neither the OP, or any suggestions afterward EVER referenced ANY PVC - EVER. Except for 1 post. Which was immediately responded to. And is over. The OP did not ask about PVC. Nobody recommended PVC.
That's the reason these threads go so far off base immediately. Anytime somebody asks about materials (for air) other than black pipe or copper, SOME people who know not what they're talking about apparently automatically ***(ume) that it just MUST be PVC. It's not.
TOOL MASTER
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nothing wrong with pvc when done right..you have to use sch 40 not the thinwall stuff...and use metal ends(elbow welded on a mounting plate)for the fittings
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
It's true that the original poster didn't ask about using PVC, but this is a perfect example of why some of us harp on the issue...people keep bringing it up, regardless of how many times it's been pointed out with facts and references and 8x10 glossy photographs with circles and arrows that it is not an acceptable material for air lines.
TOOL MASTER
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been using pvc for 30 years...no rust running through my tools...but whatever..use what you want...
creativecars
Well-known member
I know the “Air Line” thing has been beat to death, but you (Old members) have to remember there are new members here all the time. Just like how many ways can you rebuild a SBC, way too many...
Would there be a way to post somewhere on this forum, some basic information on the different air lines, their pros and cons, current and past standards and why. That way when a new member ask this question, they can be referred to the information that they came here for, instead of 100 opinions based on emotions, redneck injunity and wanabe engineering speak?
Would there be a way to post somewhere on this forum, some basic information on the different air lines, their pros and cons, current and past standards and why. That way when a new member ask this question, they can be referred to the information that they came here for, instead of 100 opinions based on emotions, redneck injunity and wanabe engineering speak?
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I think it is worth creating a sticky note that remains at the top of the page.
Jeff Ivers
Well-known member
I think that is an excellent idea. Or even a separate thread for compressors/airlines. As the respondent who apparently committed a grevious sin by mentioning that I had used PVC, I apologize. I will reiterate, that I think it is very difficult to find factual information about what to use and the risks. I believe this is a far more complex subject than name calling and insults address. Please condsider:
Commercial or residential hobby shop application?
Are you trying to run unfiltered air through the airline, or do you use an oil/water separator before the airline?
Does each vertical run of airline have at the bottom, a sediment/water trap and drain?
Is the line always pressurized, or do you only pressurizer the line when you are using air?
Is the shop heated or left unheated for lengthy periods of time. I think any of the alternatives would fail if the lines are not kept purged of water and experience a lengthy hard freeze.
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