airline underground q?

[The Cobbler]

so I'm going to run my large compressor in my shed, with a small compressor in the garage. the small compressor will be for when I'm just needing a bit of air, a brad nailer, blow something off etc. if I need more volume I will fire up the compressor in the shed . I plan to run an air line underground from shed to shop. shop is all plumbed with type L copper, silver soldered joints.
question , what should I use for airline from shed to shop underground? (total distance underground about 10 to 12 ft ) thanks in advance .

and no, I'm not using PVC just to clarify...

 

[Virgil Tech]

If you have a friend at the local gas company you can probably get a reel tailing of that length and a couple transition fittings for a 6pack.

If not, black iron pipe should last 20 years.

Whatever you use, given your location install a drip catcher at one end and pitch the line to the drip. The subsoil temperature will precipitate water from the airstream.
Add a 3/8 tube to near the bottom of the drip leg and you'll be able to blow accumulated water out easily.

 

[Keel]

If this pipe will be paved over or through concrete etc that you'll not want to have to dig up. I'd go get a s/s pipe.. 1 piece and have it bent as needed.. so it's one piece from into the ground at shed and out of the ground at garage..
problem I see it this.. the cold.. the pipe going down and then up, it will trap water in the line and could freeze and break the pipe.. how humid is your air .
I have a air drier before it goes into the ground.. as cheap insurance.. I also made sure the pipe was level so water could not pool in one spot.. Air here can get humid and get a nice mist out of air tools.

 

[Aquamoose]

I'd run black sewer pipe and run a regular air hose in it. That way, you can replace the line easily down the road.


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[Keel]

I'd run black sewer pipe and run a regular air hose in it. That way, you can replace the line easily down the road.


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Sound good. but those 2 necked down fittings on the hose ends and it being a smaller i.d. than the pipe it connect to, limits cfm..
That is what I did the first time..

 

[The Cobbler]

thanks. I have some blk pipe I might use. also might spring for copper . good tips on the drain too.

 

[scooby074]

Run some large "drain" line, either PVC or ABS, something like 2" give or take, as conduit then run some flexible air line through it, larger the better.

Ive worked in shops that used this method to get air from the compressor building to other buildings on site. The conduit allows you to replace the air carrier pipe when needed. Also look into putting air treatment (drier, regulator) on the downstream end of the line to remove any accumulated water or other debris, plus its nice to have local air pressure control to take care of any pressure drop resulting from the distance from the compressor to point of use.

 

[bdog]

I have my compressor in one shop I just store stuff in and the air runs underground about 15' to my main shop. I used 2" PVC and ran a 1" rubber air hose through it. My shop is plumbed with 3/4" copper. I used the massive hose to avoid the neck down loss.

 

[sberry]

Where did you guys learn about loss at? In common garages if you need to be obsessed use 1/2 hose. There is only 1 tool I can think of this would mean much to and that is 3/4 impact. It could be measured some on max demand on single stage systems with heavy 1/2 gun and smaller hose.