Compressed Air Piping

[komobu]

I am looking to run some piping for compressed air. We have the compressor set at 150psi. In the past, PVC was ran. I am thinking about re-running it in 3/4 Galvanized Pipe. Will pex work for compressed air? What material would you recommend? I am looking for something as cheap as possible to run about 100 feet.

Thanks for any advice

 

[krehmkej]

I did mine with galvanized. Lots of fittings/outlets. If I had to do it over, it would be done with copper. Fewer leaks, no rust, maybe better cooling. Another possibility is truck air brake tubing for a long run without breaks in it.

 

[GTO]

Do a search on this subject,about a trillion threads will come up.

Good Luck

 

[Todd.Brock]

PVC is a big no no.. If it explodes, Mom always said its all fun and games until what?? Some one loses an eye. Stick to copper( the High PSI stuff, Type M or L, I cant remember which) or Black pipe for homebrew methods.

 

[ghackett1]

I just finished running 3/4 type L copper in the whole shop. It works and looks great plus I should not have any corrosion issues (pipe) or blow up issues associated with pvc.

 

[Jared]

Go with copper or steel pipe both work great. i would use galvanized no need for it.

 

[Mickey O]

PVC is a big no no.. If it explodes, Mom always said its all fun and games until what?? Some one loses an eye. Stick to copper( the High PSI stuff, Type M or L, I cant remember which) or Black pipe for homebrew methods.

Exactly, I can't believe someone actually used PVC for air line.

There was a company that I saw advertised on a TV show on Power Block TV (http://www.powerblocktv.com) that made a "system" that looked quite interesting, easy to add to and easily disassembled to move to a new shop if needed. I don't remember the name of it, but it sounded interesting, I thought if I ever got a new shop I'd look into it. Have no idea about the price. Maybe someone here knows what it's called or you can search their web site.

 

[litljay]

Airnet / rapidair. www.rapidairproducts.com

I will be adding about 500' of pipe with the airnet system soon. I went to a local college and checked out their install using this system (airnet) for argon & 75/25 supply in a welding shop. Came out really nice. They bent some piping (I will not be doing this).

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

we'll be installing 2" pipe as I need the volume to run electronic sorting equipment.