Air lines

[JimBo1953]

I have an 85-gallon compressor and am adding the airline system to my shop. I am using RapidAir 3/4" lines, with 1/2" drops.

What I am struggling with is the drop termination. For my fab room seems I should have filter-regulator-lubricator for air tools, and a separate outlet for an air hose.

Same for most of the automotive part of the shop, other that the sand blaster cabinet.

One question, do most folks use ceiling or wall mounted reels or coiled airlines on the wall?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[OccupantRJ]

I just run air to outlets and have a portable regulator/filter assembly with quick disconnects to plug in anywhere needed. I have a hook on it to hang it on something if feeding it with a hose, or can plug it into an air outlet. When not used I use the hook to hang it on the horizontal part of a drop. Right now it is hanging in a hole in my table to use to control speed on a die grinder. When spray gun painting it gets hung nearby on a sawhorse. Only one assembly is needed that way.
I have 6 piped drop outlets, 3 hose reels, 1 ceiling drop with a curly hose, two outlets on the shop exterior, and 1 outlet in my storage barn 25 feet away.

 

[whateg01]

Hose reels for me with the regulator/separator between the drop and the reel. Plasma table has a motorguard filter right before the power supply. I oil tools directly as needed.

 

[ericm]

I've always just put a couple drops of oil in the air tools when I'm done with them. But I'm not using them all day long.

Once you put oil into a hose, you can't use it for things that require clean air like painting. I think it's better to put a lubricator directly on the air powered things that need it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My reels are mounted to the walls, except for one. It's mounted to the pallet racking.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Not a fan of the reels.

I used TransAir pipe since it is sold locally and then delivered the long pipe to my house for free.

I just did three drops around my shed.

I spaced them so a 25' hose will reach anywhere.

 

[racecougar]

Coiled air lines rather than reels here. And no lubricators. I'll add a little tool oil directly to the tools when needed.

 

[M.Brane]

I have an 85-gallon compressor and am adding the airline system to my shop. I am using RapidAir 3/4" lines, with 1/2" drops.

What I am struggling with is the drop termination. For my fab room seems I should have filter-regulator-lubricator for air tools, and a separate outlet for an air hose.

Same for most of the automotive part of the shop, other that the sand blaster cabinet.

One question, do most folks use ceiling or wall mounted reels or coiled airlines on the wall?

Thanks,
Jim

I have both in my little 20x20: a drop at the workbench w/coupler/drip leg, a reel in the center of the ceiling w/drip leg, and coupler right at the compressor outlet before the regulator next to the main door.

 

[bamawildcat]

I routed MaxLine all around my 60x30, and find I only use my center 1/2 air reel.

 

[jblnut]

60gal air compressor in the far back corner of a 54x72 shop. I have a 100’ lightweight hose that I drag all over and it gets tangled and twisted and kinked all the time. It adds to the fun around here.

I’ve stood in the shop many times thinking “I should do something else” and even went so far as buying 400’ of black iron pipe and fittings to put a loop together. The pipe sat on a shelf for a few years and most had been used for other stuff by now. I rarely need air to do more than fill a tire so it’s low on the list for me.

 

[finn]

60gal air compressor in the far back corner of a 54x72 shop. I have a 100’ lightweight hose that I drag all over and it gets tangled and twisted and kinked all the time. It adds to the fun around here.

I’ve stood in the shop many times thinking “I should do something else” and even went so far as buying 400’ of black iron pipe and fittings to put a loop together. The pipe sat on a shelf for a few years and most had been used for other stuff by now. I rarely need air to do more than fill a tire so it’s low on the list for me.

That’s why God invented cordless electric tools.

 

[whateg01]

That’s why God invented cordless electric tools.

Those will never catch on

 

[jblnut]

That’s why God invented cordless electric tools.

Amen brotha.

Those will never catch on

Until I bought a 1” impact

My compressor isn’t large enough for it anyway so I fire up the 185cfm diesel powered IR and let it purr outside when I need that many oomphs. So still no need for hard plumbed air lines lol.

 

[JimBo1953]

Thanks all for the great input!

First photo shows the start of my system with my home-made air dryer. During the winter here there is a lot of moisture in the air. The other is near the end of the system and is intended for air outside the main shop door. I will use a full 3/4" drop with a tee for use with a small sand blaster outside and feeding this reel.


I will likely use a coiled line from the ceiling at the workbenches, and a portable oiler to use as needed.

And I will go with manually oiling tools as needed, just as I have been doing for years. Keeping the oil out of the lines makes sense and less hardware to add.