Compressed air wall socket?

[kaymccampbell]

Compressed air wall socket? - Complete.

Before I go off all crazy and reinvent the wheel, I wonder if anyone has seen or has a covered, flush mounted, wall box that you can run an air line to and hide the air coupler in. I want to have compressed air available from the wall in my house and don't want to be snagging myself on a protruding chuck. I want it to have a lift up cover so that idle idiots aren't attracted to it any more than they would be to an electrical receptacle.
TIA.

 

[Ray-CA]

Tuck it inside of something like these: https://www.google.com/search?q=tv+...97XZAhXBy4MKHYemAeMQ_AUICygC&biw=1366&bih=637 and put a hinged cover plate on it.

Ray

 

[dave_dj1]

Put in a regular electrical box and mount the fitting to the back, then install a Decor switch cover. Get a push on type female though so all you have to do is push it in, I think it will be easier to release.

 

[ItsNemo]

Air is one of those things I don't like the idea of running behind the walls...the risk of leaks over time seems to be higher than typical plumbing.

 

[metaleltr]

An air leak is far less likely to cause damage inside the walls than water ever will. The disconnect coupler is the most likely leak anyway

 

[ItsNemo]

An air leak is far less likely to cause damage inside the walls than water ever will. The disconnect coupler is the most likely leak anyway

Less damage absolutely...but it's still a pain in the **** to fix if you have to tear out drywall to find it.

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm actually toying with an idea where I use a threaded pipe so to speak using the same "sealed when removed" type set up , so the female connector can be flush (or recessed) with the wall and thread the male into it.

 

[matt_i]

I think you could do it easier with a 6x6x4 NEMA-1 electrical box.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WIEGMAN...Mount-Carbon-Steel-6X6X4-SC060604RC/100584755

But it wouldn't play well with 3-1/2" wall cavities. 2x6 framing would be required. But then you could pipe down vertically and turn 90 degrees horizontally. Could either face straight out or be parallel with the plane of the wall. With the added depth you would have more room to release the coupler.

Could also use a "drop ear elbow" inside to better secure the piping. There are many copper-sweat versions, I see Ace has what appears to be a NPT-F x NPT-F version...

http://www.acehardware.com/product/...34Q9EDWFwyYFjYveGQ-7BFfmvrOW35ywaAgvcEALw_wcB

 

[RWorth]

Providing you are on teh first floor over a cellar, You could take a box similar to the one Matt i just posted run a straight iron pipe up from the cellar into the bottom of the box, and mount the chuck vertically, then if there is ever a leak problem it would come out easy to repair or replace.

 

[driftpin]

Thanks for the idea of the 'drop ear elbow.' I have one I took out in a bath re-model, now I know what to do w/it.

It sounds like Kay wants to have an external box outside the house for an air supply? What about those small electrical boxes that are the 'within-reach' disconnects for an AC?
https://www.zoro.com/square-d-air-c...MIioTT5YC32QIVVJ7ACh22MQqCEAQYAyABEgKVX_D_BwE

I think you could do it easier with a 6x6x4 NEMA-1 electrical box.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WIEGMAN...Mount-Carbon-Steel-6X6X4-SC060604RC/100584755

But it wouldn't play well with 3-1/2" wall cavities. 2x6 framing would be required. But then you could pipe down vertically and turn 90 degrees horizontally. Could either face straight out or be parallel with the plane of the wall. With the added depth you would have more room to release the coupler.

Could also use a "drop ear elbow" inside to better secure the piping. There are many copper-sweat versions, I see Ace has what appears to be a NPT-F x NPT-F version...

http://www.acehardware.com/product/...34Q9EDWFwyYFjYveGQ-7BFfmvrOW35ywaAgvcEALw_wcB

 

[kaymccampbell]

Actually, Kay wants it indoors. So, it's gotta be relatively flush mount, get along with drywall and play nice in a hallway, exposed to traffic walking by.

 

[cvairwerks]

Kay: What flow rate do you want? If the rate is small enough, an oxygen port connector from an aircraft could work. Near flush mount and some have flip covers too. I might have a couple on a fuselage at the other house you could have.

 

[Schurkey]

Whatever you do, anchor it SOLIDLY, because some couplers need considerable oomph to connect.

Alternatively, this might be a REALLY good place for an Oetiker--RTC coupler--if there's room in the box for it to swing. I'm guessing there won't be room in the box.

 

[stm317]

I'd probably consider a cover designed for centralized vacuums like this:

Hard plumb the line most of the way, and then have enough flexible line that you could pull the fitting out of the wall enough to easily connect/disconnect. Double bonus points if you found a way to make the line retractable.

 

[James-W]

May I inquire as to the reason for wanting compressed air in the house?

 

[csp]

How in the world are you going to ever install or change a quick connect coupler inside a box? The box would have to be large enough to allow wrench use and IMO would stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[bimmer1980]

Personally, I think have access to compressed air in the house would be great. There have been a couple of occasions where it would have been handy.

I have seen some specially air connectors that might work in a box, they had a insert and swivel style connector. Can't think of the name right now....

There may be alternate air hose connectors that could fit into a box that could be recessed into the wall.....

Regardless, post pictures of when you have it figured out and installed..... ;-)

 

[NUTTSGT]

Got a closet in that hallway ? What about buying a pre-fab access door and install it over a stud framed box in the drywall ?

 

[Brian_WK]

A push to connect chuck with a open single gang box. Solid mount the chuck collet to the box push your air hose in it would lock. A good sturdy pull on the hose until release it from the coupler. Put a drilled out blank cover over it.
Your going to need a elbow and a small section of hose to prove movement of the chuck in the wall and give proper clearance. You would want to securly mount the box to a stud as well.

Brian

 

[Brian_WK]

I'm sure you can find something made out of PVC.....

Brian

 

[Kevro]

In my last garage, I plumbed in a clothes washer outlet box with copper pipe. It had a ball valve to drain the leg, and a quick-connect coupler aimed at a downward angle, so the hose that gets plugged into it isn't under too much stress. There was a piece of plywood behind the plastic box that the pipe straps could screw into to keep everything solid. It didn't have a cover, but it did keep the entire thing behind the surface of the 2x4 wall, so nothing stuck out.

 

[gerryw]

kevro, thats slick!!
Gerry

 

[PelicanPines]

Mine is inside a surface mount metal box... so I will keep quiet...

 

[kaymccampbell]

All good ideas. None quite it. However you all are giving me something to work with. Helping stir the little gray cells.
I was kinda hoping for a purchasable solution, but I'm not seeing it.
Cvair, I need enough flow and pressure to run an air nailer or die grinder or DA sander or blowgun. So 7cfm @ 120psi?
James, see above.
Schurkey, it is nice, but I'm not seeing enough room for that fitting. Not to mention I'd probably have to refit a bunch of air hoses and tools to make them compatible with just that one fitting? Nope, nope, nope.

 

[MrSurly]

Here’s the simplest super easy to build way to do it.
Use a plain old handi-box or a two gang if you wish. Use a 1/2 collar and a compression fitting, joining it right through a 1/2” knockout hole. Attach a foot and a half of nylon tubing, out and back in through knockouts, use another adapter to attach your standard QC. This eliminates the need for extra depth box or wall, you’ll simply pull the QC out to use it, simply slide back in to stow. Use a standard blank switch plate cover, screw it or glue two tiny magnets to it.
You could add a chase ****** to protect the hose if you wish
The best bit is that the two failure-prone items in this assembly (the QC and the tubing) can be replaced without breaking any drywall.
Oh, and it’s all “purchasable” parts, simple assembly and no custom work.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I did something like this with a recessed electrical box with a hinged cover, but it doesn't get much use due to the need to run air hoses all up through the house anyway. If it were just my basement it'd be fine.

I'm looking at getting a 1 gallon Senco compressor just to keep in the house for trim nailers and blowing out dust under the fridge.

 

[NUTTSGT]

All good ideas. None quite it. However you all are giving me something to work with. Helping stir the little gray cells.
I was kinda hoping for a purchasable solution, but I'm not seeing it.
Cvair, I need enough flow and pressure to run an air nailer or die grinder or DA sander or blowgun. So 7cfm @ 120psi?
James, see above.
Schurkey, it is nice, but I'm not seeing enough room for that fitting. Not to mention I'd probably have to refit a bunch of air hoses and tools to make them compatible with just that one fitting? Nope, nope, nope.

https://www.globalindustrial.com/p/...MIrMLKzL252QIVGLjACh2bCA-tEAQYBiABEgJWZfD_BwE

Cut a hole in a closet wall and box it in with this (link above) as the cover.

 

[coljar]

I don't have an answer Kay, but I don't want to install one in my house. My wife has seen me blowing down things in the shop and as much as she hates cleaning house, I know what she would use it for.

 

[Schurkey]

Schurkey, it is nice, but I'm not seeing enough room for that fitting. Not to mention I'd probably have to refit a bunch of air hoses and tools to make them compatible with just that one fitting? Nope, nope, nope.

They're available in a "Milton "M"" (Industrial Interchange) version. If that's what you're using already, they'll plug right in.

 

[tapered-pin]

I just ran distribution in my dads basement out of Rapidair's MAXLINE system..
looks awesome and I can expand it any time.

 

[Angelfire]

Try to search the site a bit for a guy that used an insert normally used for a washer hookup. He ran the line into the top of it and put the disconnect there so it was definitely flush to the wall (not necessarily hidden). It actually looked very well done.


Edit: Just did a quick search and couldn't find it but did find this that may give you some ideas: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=327462

 

[Mr_fixit]

Here's mine from about 8 years ago on a pole, outside. I know it's not what you may need, just an idea...

 

[daw53]

What about a medical gas wall outlet? Not sure about the flow capacity and you would need to make an adapter to go to a standard air disconnect.

Check out Amico, http://www.amico.com/products/wall-outlets

 

[alfazer]

Something like kevro's ^^ solution but put a swivel connector on the QC. That way it tucks in when not in use, but just swivels out when you want connect.
I'm not sure what you use in US but in UK its this kind of thing, 1/4" BSP swivel joint.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swivel-Joint-Air-Line-Connector-1-4-BSP-Male-Female-Fitting-Flexible-Joint/112410357939?hash=item1a2c2df0b3:g:fmkAAOSwlY1ZHERB

 

[Lelandwelds]

What about a medical gas wall outlet? Not sure about the flow capacity and you would need to make an adapter to go to a standard air disconnect.

Check out Amico, http://www.amico.com/products/wall-outlets

Oxygen systems only supply 25 psi to wall plates and they still leak.



I bought some equipment from an acquaintance. He did a lot of airbrushing. The compressor was in the attached garage with an airline dropped behind drywall from the attic. He used no box just a cut down decorated plastic real estate sign hinged to the wall. It looked like the drawing but was dressier than I describe.

 

[JamesW84]

Oxygen systems only supply 25 psi to wall plates and they still leak.



I bought some equipment from an acquaintance. He did a lot of airbrushing. The compressor was in the attached garage with an airline dropped behind drywall from the attic. He used no box just a cut down decorated plastic real estate sign hinged to the wall. It looked like the drawing but was dressier than I describe.

Couple good ideas here.

Mount a retractable air hose reel in the attic. drill a hole in the top plate to feed it through. I'd probably consider running it down through a piece of PVC just for insurance (?), but then have a picture or something over your desired mounting box. When done, you simply retract it enough so that it hangs. just inside there. I don't have a retractable air hose reel, but it seems like it would work.

 

[dbabicky]

I'm sure you can find something made out of PVC.....

Brian

Damn !! You beat me to it !!! LOL !!!

 

[kaymccampbell]

So many good ideas. None that call out to me. Last call before I go off all crazy eyed and inventy on it.

 

[RVDan]

RV utility hatches come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Recessed key box and recessed utility box/hatch are also good search terms.

 

[The Cobbler]

here is a prototype that I fooled with.
Envision the coupler flush behind a wall plate with a properly sized hole in it so the "key will pass thru .
slip the "key" over the air hose, use the key to depress the outer collar of the quick connect while pushing the air hose & plug in, once seated the key simply stays on the hose .
when done using the air line, remove the hose & plug using the key.
insert the cap to hide the fact it's an air outlet. (the cap could be larger to cover the entire hole, but as noted, this is a prototype

all pcs


key slipped over air hose on plug end

use key to depress coupler outer sleeve & push in air hose to seat , let key retract. reverse to remove air hose




cap inserted into coupler to hide it