Compressor: Pump to tank line

[Jeeper]

Just bought a new pancake style compressor off of craigslist. It's an older Campbell hausfeld, made in the USA compressor. Got it for $30, however there is a small crack on the copper line that goes from the pump to the tank.

My question is there anything special to those lines? Looks like 1/2" o.d. copper tubbing with compression style fittings. Am i missing anything? Where is the best place to buy that kind of tube?

 

[russlaferrera]

Thats it. You know all you need to know.

 

[flesburg]

On my older 5hp compressor, I found that the copper was 3/4" Outside Diamater. And the fittings were compression (ferrell fittings). It turned out to be 3/4" tubing (not 1/2" ID water pipe like we can buy at HD). ALTHOUGH IT WAS CLOSE TO THE SAME. I looked all over until I stopped into an HVAC shop and found out that it was high pressure air conditioning tubing, and was only slightly flexible, but VERY stiff. You should use a tubing bender to bend it.

When you get it out, measure it carefully and take the old one with you as you are searching for a new one. I was told that compressor mnfs use special high pressure, high temperature tubing because between the compressor and the tank the pressurized air is pulsing and it gets VERY hot and may destroy ordinary copper tube.

Good luck with it. If I have to replace one again, I will call the OM and order one already cut to the proper length and bent and with ferrells attached....

Just my 2c worth.

 

[Jeeper]

So i picked up 1/2' OD tube from tractor supply (It was $8 cheaper than HD for a 10' section), several ferrels, compression nuts and a tube bending springs. Bent up a section of tube and the compressor works fine. Before with the old tube with a hole, the tank would build to 60psi. It will go to 115 now.

I will probably try and bend up another piece because i think it may leak slightly at where the tube attaches to the tank since the tube go in at an angle so the ferrel doesn't sit just right, but overall i am happy with how it works so far...good enough to run an air nailer.

Thanks for all the help