Airlines in a shop question??

[toyoguy81]

Ok, im at the stage where im starting the plumbing in my shop. 24x32 pole barn. Ive bought the Harbor Freight 50ft retractable reel, 3/8 diameter hose. My questions are is plan on using black steel pipe... Cheaper than copper, not feeling to good about black PVC, what do you guys think?? Also does black pipe have to be same diameter as the hose reels which are 3/8"??? And for those who have used black pipe, can any of you comment on your experiences when installing? Also interested in what fittings you might have used, especially for "T" id like to put one in at top of ceiling to run another line to front of garage and one to hose reel by car lift. Thanks for any input

 

[duc916]

Do a search on airlines, it has been covered in several post. I used the blue pex-aluminum tube and fittings and have had no issues. PVC issue will start a apocayiptic death of your post.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The black iron pipe can be as large as you want, but I think 3/4" is typically used. You may want to do a search, as many people have posted pictures of their airline setups.

Also, there are a bunch of compressed air line guides and examples online, here's one that shows a typical layout. Note how the air drops first go up from the main line, that's to limit moisture coming out in your air tools.

 

[MoonRise]

For a 'typical' home-use shop, 1/2" iron pipe is usually fine. 3/4" is a bit of 'overkill' for most home usages.

Exception would be a high-flow condition, like a media blaster, with rather 'long' pipe runs.

Go to the TP Tools website and look up their recommendations on setting up air lines.

https://www.tptools.com/tech-metal-piping.dlp

http://cached.tptools.com/Images/airline-piping-diagram.pdf

Tips? Make sure to put some unions in there to make changes/fixes/etc easier.

 

[BC1]

I have the rapid air coated aluminum stuff. Super reasonably priced and way easier to work with then iron for the bends and corners. I did use some short sections of iron for my regulator, separator and desiccant though. I used 3/4 iron.

 

[SALIV8]

i used 3/4" black pipe for my setup. very happy with it and never a problem, as of yet. it's easy to install and hard to break.

id recommend a flex hose off the compressor to the black pipe, and a decent filter/drier and you will be good.

 

[readhead]

I thought you were fixing airplanes. Silly me.

 

[BenDay1]

Like Hangarjournal.com

 

[cparcell]

I have used black pex (truck rated) and love it. Its less than 50 cents a foot and has a 2 inch loop radius so you can plumb it almost anywhere

 

[rburke65]

Oh.... I thought this was going to be about a Boeing 747 or something! My air line looks like the layout in post #3. TP Tools has this layout on their web site.

 

[greenbikemike]

I just finished doing mine in 1/2" black pipe,I ended up renting a pipe threader,pipe vise and pipe cutter and doing the lines myself,also use plumbers tape AND pipe dope,I have 70-80 connections and no leaks...good luck,it was kinda a fun deal for me.....

Greenbikemike

 

[toyoguy81]

Thanks everyone for the input, Stuart, excellent picture..I might just do mine exactly like that, detailed I like!!

 

[J Persons]

I just finished doing mine in 1/2" black pipe,I ended up renting a pipe threader,pipe vise and pipe cutter and doing the lines myself,also use plumbers tape AND pipe dope,I have 70-80 connections and no leaks...good luck,it was kinda a fun deal for me.....

Greenbikemike

My pipe joints seemed to always leak using pipe tape. I switched to Rectorseal and never had another problem with air leaks. Now if I could just get one of my IR filter regulators to quit leaking, life would be golden.

 

[dlcwent]

I actually soldered 1/2" cooper pipe to supply my shop. 175 psi with no problems in the last year. Not saying it's the right thing to do but it's worked for me.

 

[greenbikemike]

My pipe joints seemed to always leak using pipe tape. I switched to Rectorseal and never had another problem with air leaks. Now if I could just get one of my IR filter regulators to quit leaking, life would be golden.

I never tried Rectorseal,a friend of mine told me to use both tape and dope and it won't leak.....he was right.

I actually soldered 1/2" cooper pipe to supply my shop. 175 psi with no problems in the last year. Not saying it's the right thing to do but it's worked for me.

I'm not the best with soldering,my neighbor soldered his and no problems,if the OP is good with soldering his,give it a shot,not sure about price between the two,but after joining here,I know one thing,NO PVC!

Greenbikemike

 

[OccupantRJ]

Here is my piping project. More pics in my profile.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227948