i need to run a pipe from my compressor to my air hose reel, i was thinking 1/2" copper..seems to me i read that i have to use the heavier kind of copper pipe? anything else that needs done? it will be no longer then 6-8 feet, outlet is 1/2 at compressor thats why i'm thinking 1/2 is the way to go..
copper as air line?
- Thread starter RAMBIN
- Start date
mmg440
Well-known member
Copper air lines work fine, However for a short system as you a proposing I would think it would be a lot less hassle just to run it with black pipe.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
For the full "poop and scoop" I suggest you read the Copper Tube Handbook
http://www.copper.org/publications/pub_list/pdf/copper_tube_handbook.pdf
By the Copper Development Association.
Either the light or heavy rigid copper tubing (L = heavy or M = light) is capable of handing the pressure you will be putting thru it, with lots of margin for safety. (Table 3b and 3c on pages 25 and 26). Of more concern is the strength of the solder joint, Table 4, page 28, which basically says you need to use a 95-5 solder, and don't even consider a 50-50 solder.
Charles
http://www.copper.org/publications/pub_list/pdf/copper_tube_handbook.pdf
By the Copper Development Association.
Either the light or heavy rigid copper tubing (L = heavy or M = light) is capable of handing the pressure you will be putting thru it, with lots of margin for safety. (Table 3b and 3c on pages 25 and 26). Of more concern is the strength of the solder joint, Table 4, page 28, which basically says you need to use a 95-5 solder, and don't even consider a 50-50 solder.
Charles
Charles, you should just put that link in your sig for the amount of times you've helped people out....lol
We used 1/2" copper for air lines at work to pipe from the shop compressor out to the dock area... maybe a 75' run or so. It's been at least a couple of years now, and it still works great. We have noticed the compressor kicks on for make-up air a little more often than it used to, but it's only once every few days or so it seems, so it's no big deal. It's probably a good idea to bubble test all the joints which we haven't done yet. I don't know why. Lazy I guess. Anyway, copper lines should work fine for you.
I'm doing the exact same thing... now I'm stuck, I can't figure out how to make up the fitting between the air hose reel and the copper line.... the only thing I can figure out is to use hydraulic fittings. The problem with all of the copper fittings I've found is when you try to join two lines using a copper fitting, one line comes into the fitting while the other one goes out of the fitting... ie there is no way to bring the two lines together.
David
sirstude
Active member
I put quick connectors on all the copper lines that I have and then put the male end on the hose reels and just plug them in. That way if I pop a hose, I can just unplug it and not worry about it right then.
Doug
Ramblur
Well-known member
David,
I did my whole shop with copper 2-3 yrs. ago. Lowes and HD had male and
female pipe thread fittings that solder/braze right to the copper pipe. Or you
might try the unions/short piece of pipe/male copper fitting like I used on my
regulator/filter in the pic. I (heart) my copper airlines.
Jeff
tcianci
Well-known member
Copper works fine and there are many adapters available to get you back to the IPS (iron pipe size) threaded fittings you need to connect to your hose reel and such.One thing no one seems to have touched on is CONDENSATION. Copper tube is an excellent conductor of heat and therefore will allow the moisture in your air lines to condense. This is a good thing as long as you remember to pitch any horizontal lines and provide a drain valve at the end of the run so the condensed water can be blown off.