Compressed Air Distribution Systems (air lines)

[jhchoppers]

Has anyone installed or used one of these off the self systems? I found the same air line system at 3 different outlets. We were looking for quick way to get some air lines to other side of the shop.

Any thoughts on these systems:

Thanks,
JH



http://www.eastwood.com/100-garage-air-linefilter-system-kit.html?srccode=ga090030

http://www.rapidairproducts.com/rapidair.asp

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66747

 

[1984GMC]

I personally wouldn't waste my time for anything under 1/2 diamiter line for any fairly long run, That 3/8's hose just can't get enough CFM through it for a long run. I'd just run copper.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I had looked at those systems, but you can make your own with 1/2" pex tubing and brass fittings relatively cheap too. The only thing that you don't get doing it yourself is the machined manifolds, but you can just get the elbows that have the pex fitting on one end, and the screw in fitting on the other end w/ ears to bolt to the wall for like $3

 

[regguy1]

I had the same questions, started a thread here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60238

I bought the HF kit with the 20% off coupon so I've only got 80.00 ******* in it. It doesn't look bad and it has 2 T's that the other kits don't. I've not yet installed it...but I'm hoping for a decent result. I must wonder if the rapid aire are made in China and re-boxed?

Most guys complain that the hose is stiff and hard to straighten out, (true) I'm considering cutting the pieces to rough lenght and putting them inside a piece of conduit and letting it sit out in the sun for awhile...hoping that might let it relax to a straight position. ??

Click on the post, there are many responses.

 

[jhchoppers]

I had looked at those systems, but you can make your own with 1/2" pex tubing and brass fittings relatively cheap too. The only thing that you don't get doing it yourself is the machined manifolds, but you can just get the elbows that have the pex fitting on one end, and the screw in fitting on the other end w/ ears to bolt to the wall for like $3

We can make the manifolds....so.....is there a good online source for this stuff without the a kit? Maybe some larger diameter tubbing too?

Thanks,
JH

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Just use 1/2" pvc.

 

[TurboCup87]

Got mine from Eastwood... works great on 3 runs. Longest is only about 25'

 

[Torque1st]

Just use 1/2" pvc.

PVC is a BIG NO NO for compressed air. The material is brittle and shatters like glass. Think fragmentation grenade. The manufacturers forbid using it with compressed gases.

 

[Cryptic1911]

We can make the manifolds....so.....is there a good online source for this stuff without the a kit? Maybe some larger diameter tubbing too?

Thanks,
JH

just use regular pex tubing, most of it is rated for over 100psi at 180deg, so it should be plenty for air. They sell 100ft rolls of 1/2" for like $40, and you can find all the brass sharkbite fittings you want at home depot in the plumbing aisle.

there's also the regular pex brand fittings, but those require the metal crimp rings and the tool to crimp them, but they are reasonable

 

[larry_g]

These fittings and tubing are very common in industry. I have run literaly run thousands of feet of this stuff. Look for pneumatic fittings on the web and you will come up with many. Legris, parker, smc and others are name brands if you want to try e-bay. one site to check is http://www.pneumaticdepot.com/index.php

A common name for these is pushloc fittings

Wander around there and you will find many fittings, manifolds, and tubing. I am not reccomending this vendor but just pointing out where you can find this stuff outside the home depot and very expensive Eastwood.
It looks like eastwood is asking $350 for a hundred bucks worth of stuff.
lg
no neat sig line

 

[jam022316]

I wonder what the durability over time of these is. Plus I'd be afraid of hitting it with something and having to redo that line or worse yet being smacked in the face by a compressed line when I break it. I figure with copper or iron piping you don't have to ever touch it again. just my .02

 

[1984GMC]

Well the main use for this stuff is tractor trailers, and manufacturing machines that have air operated parts. its tuff , just 3/8's doesn't carry alot of CFMs over a long run and a long usage time.

 

[jhchoppers]

Thanks for all the help! I will pick up PEX tubing and some shark byte connections and get started. It looks like you could save a some money if you get the fitting and tubbing online. I think a trip to home depot to see and touch the stuff is a good idea.

PVC is not an option for us however it seems others do have luck with it.

I'll post the my results....

Thanks,
JH

 

[charlie_nj]

Am I missing something here? PEX is only rated for 100 psi. Most compressors are capable of at least 125 psi. I guess you just keep the regulated pressure below 100 psi in the lines, but what happens if someone accidentally cranks up the regulator?

 

[jhchoppers]

My thoughts also... But these kits are using PEX tubing? Right?

I made a simple chart to plot the Temp vs PSI Curve based on the data from this link:

http://www.pexsupply.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F3040500-1-2-AQUAPEX-Blue-100-ft-coil-2193000-p

My air runs no more than 130 PSI and I hope my shop never gets to 120*F



JH

 

[Shocker]

If you go with PEX, make sure it is not exposed to sunlight. That will be the death of the tubing.

 

[Daveco]

The term to understand in compressed air systems is "Hoop Stress" which basically means, the larger diameter the tube, pipe, or hose, the greater the stress is on the longitudinal seam. It is not a linear relationship, so as distribution diameters go up, the hazards go up faster.
Just google Hoop Stress, take the time and effort to truly understand the theory and compressed air plumbing is quickly demystified.

 

[Torque1st]

My air runs no more than 130 PSI and I hope my shop never gets to 120*F
JH

The air coming out of your compressor can go far higher than 120°F.

 

[Garry Carter]

What Jeff Ivers said! Use PVC. Rather than buy the conventional Schedule 40 stuff ... go with Schedule 80 instead. I've had such a system in my shop for about 4 years now, and if condensation drains are designed in, and used regularly, it works like a champ. It's cheap, can be readily configured to just about any application, handles multiple "drops" off a single service line and -- IMHO -- is a great way to go for home workshops.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Absolutely.

I mean, except for the explicit instructions not to use PVC from many air compressor manufacturers, plastic pipe trade associations (PPI, PPFA), and even OSHA in most states -- other than all that...

 

[Pointbock]

Just use 1/2" pvc.

What Jeff Ivers said! Use PVC. Rather than buy the conventional Schedule 40 stuff ... go with Schedule 80 instead. I've had such a system in my shop for about 4 years now, and if condensation drains are designed in, and used regularly, it works like a champ. It's cheap, can be readily configured to just about any application, handles multiple "drops" off a single service line and -- IMHO -- is a great way to go for home workshops.

I don't have many posts but I've lurked at GJ long enough to know that you best not mention "PVC" and "airline" in the same sentence.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I wonder if there's a way to prevent new members from using 'PVC' in a message until after they've racked up a couple hundred posts.

 

[Torque1st]

The newbies are just uninformed.

They don't read before they post.

 

[Hades12]

I run pex in my shop better then a year ago now. works great and no problems so far.

 

[mhm993]

I think we need a pvc safety sticky on the forum.

 

[Torque1st]

SAFETY??? -Nobody would read it, -and besides what does safety have to do with PVC??? The people that post about using it don't have the slightest clue what they are doing is terribly unsafe so they would never read it either. They look at the "pressure rating" and don't realize the difference between gas and liquid pressure and their energy potentials. They have no clue what brittle and ductile material failure means either. Even if the PVC pipe said "NOT TO BE USED WITH COMPRESSED GASSES" many would figure that meant natural gas and it did not apply to air which unbeknown to many people is a compressed GAS. Many people never paid the slightest attention to basic science in school. I don't even think they teach it anymore. It is hard enough to teach the majority of the younger generations how to read and tie their shoes, let alone pull up their pants. The modern day average IQ is mathematically "100" but it is equivalent to a 90-IQ just 30 years ago. In another few years it will be equivalent to an 80-IQ... At least in the USA. Other countries are not dying quite as fast as the USA, but a terrible lack of education is dragging the whole world down.

Read the "Marching Morons" written by Cyril M. Kornbluth.

 

[kooldino]

subscribed

 

[LBoyer4]

I ran 3/4" mainline and 1/2" drops of Duratec from the rapid air site. The only difference I can tell is it's PEX-AL-PEX vice just PEX and it's rated for 200 psi. Downside is it's expensive (fittings mostly) and unwinding in December was less than easy but still tons easier than copper, black pipe, etc.. Plus side, none of that stuff leaked. I'm still battling iron reducer enlarger fitting leaks of joints I had to make up to convert between the compressor and the filter, etc.

Bottom line, I love because it was incredibly easy to run and didn't leak. Just wish it wasn't so expensive.

Lynn Boyer

 

[jhchoppers]

Do you have any pictures of your install ?

JH

 

[billmh]

Has anybody tried using the Duratec tubing, http://www.rapidairproducts.com/duratec.asp

I am looking at this for my shop and well pump.

This is aluminum tubing sandwiched between to poly layers. About twice the cost of Pex, but rated and approved for air and the like.

Bill

 

[mikeyr]

What Jeff Ivers said! Use PVC.

Hey Garry, could I have your name, etc. nothing bad, I just want to buy a life insurance policy on you so when (not IF but WHEN) the PVC blows, I can get my retirement money.

PVC is a ABSOLUTELY A BIG NO, its unsafe, its dangerous and while your gramps may have had it for decades without a blow out it is still NOT SAFE.

 

[saabman]

When stringing pex remember it expands and contracts with temperature change. So if you live in the north country with a unheated space in winter, this can be significant dimensional change over a long run. Also, I am not sure how well pex stands up to "impacts" it might be subjected to in a garage. I recently replaced aged copper lines with pex in the house, but I run black iron in the garage.

Also I would not trust shark fitting on a high pressure air line. Most plumbing applications run at 60-70 psi max. Invest in a band clamp (or two)

Chris

 

[Roundtuit60]

Perhaps the biggest reason NOT to use PVC is fire safety. In a fire the PVC will melt and the compressed air released will feed the fire into an inferno.

 

[jhchoppers]

Lets stay on topic, this is NOT PVC thread...

Do we have pictures with these kinds of systems installed from EastWood, HF, ect... I think the shark byte is rated 150 PSI? Not sure?

I am leaning towards copper... Just wanted to see about these newer systems.

Thanks,
JH

 

[mustangmccance]

I used a combination of the rapid air system and the aluminum air net system in my shop. I use the 3/4 inch air net to run to 2 of my hose reels and my bead blast cabinet. I use the rapid air stuff to run to my retractable air reel in my main shop and to my little coiled hose by my computer it has worked well for me so far. here are some pictures.

this is a temporary setup as when I finish the bathroom which will sit just next to the air compressors I will enclose the compressors in a closet with louvered doors for ventilation. but you get the idea. the reason I have 2 compressors is my dad moved a lot of his tools into my shop when he moved here last year so we decided might as well make use of them.

since this picture I have replaced the rubber hose to the reel with rapid air hose.

you can't see it real well but behind my monitor is one of the downleg moisture traps where the coiled hose hooks. it is great for cleaning off my bench.

I used pvc first and was blasted into reason by other members and quickly saw the error of my ways. this system is nice because a diyer like myself can make it work easily.


by the way that retractable hose reel is about 40 feet from my compressors and I have no problem running my cut off wheel, DA sander or 1/2 inch impact wrench off it so I think it flows well enough for most people's usage.

 

[R6 Racer]

I know it's not exactly what you asked but... this might help.

http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/airline-piping-diagram.pdf

Good luck

Steve

 

[Garry Carter]

Yeah, yeah ... I know if I had a couple hundred more posts that would make me much smarter. And I'll be happy to furnish home address for the guy who wants to take out life insurance on me. I know what all the safety warnings say ... I've seen them on everything from mayonnaise jars to tennis balls. And I've heard all the urban legends that guys like you promulgate relentlessly. But I have no first-hand knowledge whatever of a Sched-80 PVC system failing. Can any of you much smarter, much safer guys post a picture? Maybe that would scare me to my senses...

 

[jhchoppers]

Here is your link to OSHA, and please take the PVC stuff to a different thread.

http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html

Thanks,
JH

 

[Dragster Racer]

I think that the failure rate of pvc can be overstated. The problem does lie in the severity of injury if someone is near a line that is compromised somehow and blows. I have been in a few shops with pvc air line, and it really doesn't bother me except in places where they can be damaged or where they are near people at face level. In any case, the pex really is pretty cheap, and easy to work with. No real reason to use the less desireable pvc with pex around. I'm going to install one of the HF systems, which is 3/8" line. I may end up running some 1/2" drops where I need more flow, but we will see.

 

[Garry Carter]

No need to prolong this discussion as far as I'm concerned. I'm just trying to get the number of my posts up.