Compressed air setup HALP!!

[Wayne64SS]

So I got the new big hoss compressor up and going but have yet to install it because I'd like to redo the air setup in the shop at the same time.... The compressor specs are 10HP, 4 cyl 2 stage, 32cfm @175psi.

Shop temp is set at 60deg F.

Do I need a refrigerated air dryer or just a filter regulator after the compressor? What should I charge the lines to in the shop? The min has to be 145 because that's what the tire machine needs.

I figured i'd have a drier / filter right after the compressor, then a regulator / dryer at each outlet with the hose reel outlets getting a lubricator as well. The tire machine has 2 built in lubricators so I don't need one there. The tire machine is by far the biggest air hog in the shop: 12cfm @145psi.

What do I need? Should I leave my existing PVC or ditch it and get something that isn't going to turn into a bunker buster should i hit it with a hammer??

Thanks in advance!! P.S. - I searched.

 

[kv501]

If you mention PVC in conjunction with compressed air in this forum you are going to get one of 3 things in return:

1. People will ignore it because this always starts a war in every thread about it.

2. There will be the biggest **** storm of arguing you've ever seen between those who use it and those who won't, or:

3. People will just come tell you not to use PVC instead of answering your other questions.

PVC first...just save yourself the headaches and flaming and install something made for air pressure. I know you're not in a workplace but OSHA disallows it and I have seen it grenade when a couple guys in our shop were screwing around kicking a football. Really really loud and lots of shrapnel. Just get pipe or hose.

Ok, now the other questions. The drier at the compressor should be good enough unless you have a really long run and no drops.

If you're going to put a lubricator at each outlet remember that some oilless tools aren't compatible with it (which negates it anyway of you have an oiler at the compressor). If you are going to use a lubricator I'd put it on a dedicated outlet(s) and keep at least one of them dry. Depends on what you're using.

Regulators at outlets are handy in your case because I don't want to be around a die grinder or cut off wheel running at 145 PSI.

 

[Al Bundy]

Absolutely, positively get rid of the PVC immediately. It's not designed for compressed gases and it's dangerous to use it for such applications.

Use black pipe and give yourself 25' from the compressor to allow the air to cool sufficiently to remove moisture. From there a water separator and a regulator. You can use as many separators as you feel are necessary. An actual dryer is not really needed unless you are painting. They are a bit expensive. I would put your tire machine on a run by itself since it calls for 145psi. Most air tools don't like more than 90psi.

 

[Wayne64SS]

awesome. I'm pretty much settled on 3/4" black iron pipe leading from the compressor up towards the ceiling. From there it will slope upward towards the ends of the shop where the drops are with T's facing up at each drop and 1/4 turn drains at the bottoms of the drops. I'm going to skip the oilers and just stick to manual oiling. Instead I'll spend the $$ on an automatic drain for the bottom of the air compressor. Total of 3 drops, 2 for hose reels and 1 for the tire machine with filters and regulators at all 3.

I'm looking for GOOD hose reels. They look more expensive than I figured they'd be but I'm going to use them EVERY day. Anyone have any good recommendations here? I'd like a min of 3/8" ID hose with min 3/8" fittings.

 

[Falcon67]

These hose reels get good reviews on here:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tekton...ctable-air-hose-reel-with-rubber-hose-3310323

PVC: [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Death awaits you all with nasty big pointy teeth!
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[Jagmandave]

Why does a tire machine need that much air? What does it use it for?
Does it use it constantly or only in short bursts? Does someone run it all day or only occasionally?

That is a honking big compressor for a one man shop!

Definitely metal pipe, and a drier is a good thing if you're in a humid area or if you will be using a lot of air. I think if you were using that much air a VFD controlled screw compressor would have been a better buy, they come with the drier already part of the package and since they don't cycle they use a lot less electricity.

 

[royalton10]

The tractor supply reel is the one I have. Works great.

 

[kv501]

Why does a tire machine need that much air? What does it use it for?
Does it use it constantly or only in short bursts? Does someone run it all day or only occasionally?

145 is not at all uncommon for a tire machine. Most have a requirement between 120 and 175 PSI.

 

[Wayne64SS]

Why does a tire machine need that much air? What does it use it for?
Does it use it constantly or only in short bursts? Does someone run it all day or only occasionally?

That is a honking big compressor for a one man shop!

Definitely metal pipe, and a drier is a good thing if you're in a humid area or if you will be using a lot of air. I think if you were using that much air a VFD controlled screw compressor would have been a better buy, they come with the drier already part of the package and since they don't cycle they use a lot less electricity.

The tire machine is all air powered. It's a HOSS.

and here is me playing with the compressor...

I'm pretty busy out there. I use all my equipment almost nightly.

The compressor I converted from 3phase to single phase. With a hole lot of luck and a slight addiction to craigslist you can find just about anything on the cheap.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Repipe with metal or legal ABS approved for air. I would use a large regulator and cut the entire system pressure down to about 110 psi and run a special line for the tire machine with its own regulator on that line.

As to the need for a refrigerator type dryer or not, depends on the climate where you are located. In Las Vegas I would think not, but in Seattle, I would think you would.

Most air tools use 1/4 pipe thread, you won't want 3/8 thread on the hoses. 3/8 hose is OK, but get them with 1/4 thread, which is quite a common combination.

Charles

 

[Wayne64SS]

will do. The shop is now heated in winter and a/c in summer (new this year), I plan to keep it at 60 year round. BARD wall-mount FTW.