To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Compression fittings copper pipe on my compressor

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
So I've noticed that my new hydraulic hose from my compressor to my tank is getting quite hot and it's starting to swell under pressure. Pics attached

So what I want to do is make a copper line with compression fittings and local available copper line.

I'm going to make a new line from 2nd stage head and in here I plan to put in a intercooler/after cooler before the tank.

So as I understand it to use 1/2 pipe I need to use 5/8 compression fittings. I went to home depot today and they had very limited stock of these fittings only had 5/8 comp to 1/2npt. One side I have 3/4" compressor head. The check valve is 1/2npt.

So where do you guys get your fittings I started looking at grainger. Just wanted to make sure I'm supposed to use a 5/8 compression fitting on 1/2 npt npt copper tube.

And for the copper I'm looking for the flexible L or M but homedepot only had rigid straight pipe in stock any help here is appreciated also.
uploadfromtaptalk1441331566593.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • f0224c6366ab96cbfe433d1c66ee7c6f.jpg
    f0224c6366ab96cbfe433d1c66ee7c6f.jpg
    56.5 KB · Views: 116
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

remedialmofo

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Messages
60
So I've noticed that my new hydraulic hose from my compressor to my tank is getting quite hot and it's starting to swell under pressure. Pics attached

So what I want to do is make a copper line with compression fittings and local available copper line.

I'm going to make a new line from 2nd stage head and in here I plan to put in a intercooler/after cooler before the tank.

So as I understand it to use 1/2 pipe I need to use 5/8 compression fittings. I went to home depot today and they had very limited stock of these fittings only had 5/8 comp to 1/2npt. One side I have 3/4" compressor head. The check valve is 1/2 npt.

So where do you guys get your fittings I started looking at grainger. Just wanted to make sure I'm supposed to use a 5/8 compression fitting on 1/2 npt npt copper tube.

And for the copper I'm looking for the flexible L or M but homedepot only had rigid straight pipe in stock any help here is appreciated also.
View attachment 474740uploadfromtaptalk1441331566593.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Nice pump, I like those old IR T30's. Home Depot is always a wash for me when searching for anything other than 1/8" NPT brass fittings. Common copper pipe has an OD 1/8" larger than nominal size. So 1/2" type L,M, or K is 5/8" OD

3/8" type K,L,M and also 1/2" ACR ( refrigeration tube) are both 1/2" actual OD

I usually have better luck at the wholesale plumbing shops we have in our area.

Why not go 3/4" MPT to 1/2" sweat from that black street elbow or flare it up there on top then and use an adapter coming from the black street. Also copper tube or pipe isn't NPT it isn't anything but OD and ID until it gets threads someway.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:

stage20

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
3,722
Location
pcola FL
you need to go to your local hydraulic shop. they will have, or should, a huge selection of pipe(tubing) and fittings that should meet your needs much cheaper than grainger, IMO.
 
OP
M

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
Nice pump, I like those old IR T30's. Home Depot is always a wash for me when searching for anything other than 1/8" NPT brass fittings. Common copper pipe has an OD 1/8" larger than nominal size. So 1/2" type L,M, or K is 5/8" OD

3/8" type K,L,M and also 1/2" ACR ( refrigeration tube) are both 1/2" actual OD

I usually have better luck at the wholesale plumbing shops we have in our area.

Why not ditch that black street elbow and thread in a copper adapter. 3/4" NPT to 1/2" sweat or flare it up there on top then. Also copper tube or pipe isn't NPT it isn't anything but OD and ID until it gets threads someway.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

never soldered/sweat copper before so ive been looking at compression fittings even if it costs more.

like these http://www.grainger.com/product/PARKER-90Deg-Male-Elbow-11G298?s_pp=false&=
 
OP
M

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
you need to go to your local hydraulic shop. they will have, or should, a huge selection of pipe(tubing) and fittings that should meet your needs much cheaper than grainger, IMO.

normally i would agree with you but after it took 11 different shops to find the 1/8" compression fitting i needed for the unloader line. im not looking to spend days driving around.

hydraulic shops in houston only do hydraulic and no other types of fittings.
 

remedialmofo

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2014
Messages
60
Last edited:

94EG8

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
Messages
248
That doesn't look like great hose. A hydraulic shop can make you something better that will work fine.
 

gorilla

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
1,653
Compression fittings are meant to be used on soft copper tubing not on copper pipe. The copper pipe sold at your local big store cannot be bent. Not sure how you can do what you want without soldering the pipe. I'm not sure that rigid copper pipe is a good choice to connect to a vibrating compressor. I'm reasonably sure that McMaster can supply both the fittings and copper tube you need.
 
OP
M

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
Compression fittings are meant to be used on soft copper tubing not on copper pipe. The copper pipe sold at your local big store cannot be bent. Not sure how you can do what you want without soldering the pipe. I'm not sure that rigid copper pipe is a good choice to connect to a vibrating compressor. I'm reasonably sure that McMaster can supply both the fittings and copper tube you need.

im looking to use soft copper, i found this at grainger from what i read its what im looking for http://www.grainger.com/product/MUELLER-INDUSTRIES-Type-L-2LKN1?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/2LKN1_AS01?$smthumb$

am i correct? ill be calling a few plumbing places today to see what i can find.
 

bigredmf

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
414
Location
Between Boston and Detroit
Compression fittings are meant to be used on soft copper tubing not on copper pipe. The copper pipe sold at your local big store cannot be bent. Not sure how you can do what you want without soldering the pipe. I'm not sure that rigid copper pipe is a good choice to connect to a vibrating compressor. I'm reasonably sure that McMaster can supply both the fittings and copper tube you need.


You can bend rigid copper with the correct bender.

Also you can use compression fittings on it.

You would be better off with a Teflon or Corrugated metal hose because of vibration!

Red


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

jeepntxj

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2009
Messages
94
You're in Houston? There is a Parker store by the Fastenal on 610N. Hydradyne, I think? Tell them what you're trying to do and they'll fix you up.
 

DC73

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
1,627
Location
Lubbock TX

bobemmerich

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
1,611
Location
Middletown, Ct.
My local HD has it where the fittings fittings and valves are. Due to vibration, I would think you'd want something with some "give" or flex to it.
 
OP
M

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
My local HD has it where the fittings fittings and valves are. Due to vibration, I would think you'd want something with some "give" or flex to it.
Tried the flex thing cost me 77$ for a hose that is gonna fail. Now it's time for something that will take the heat.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 

gdh33

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2011
Messages
100
Location
Northern Ontario, Canada
I second the idea of a hydraulic shop making you a hose or the Parker store. With the vibrations, temperature and pressure you will want a somewhat flexible hose/pipe that can take the heat. Just need to tell them what size you are going from 3/4 male NPT to what ever your check valve/tank is.
 
OP
M

motofool33

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2013
Messages
1,634
Location
Currently North of Houston
I second the idea of a hydraulic shop making you a hose or the Parker store. With the vibrations, temperature and pressure you will want a somewhat flexible hose/pipe that can take the heat. Just need to tell them what size you are going from 3/4 male NPT to what ever your check valve/tank is.
Already did that this hose is 2 weeks old 5819f983d1d37b5b1cbfce871cc504fe.jpg

See how it's swelling and changing color under the heat.

f48e072694265c060352daa9ba3e5380.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom