Ross/Kzoo
Well-known member
I know that it's been asked he before but I couldn't find the thread. Black or galvanized pipe for my air lines?
Galvanized or black pipe?
- Thread starter Ross/Kzoo
- Start date
JJThrasher
Well-known member
I used galvanized. Not sure it really matters.
jpcjguy
Well-known member
Black. Galvanized coating can flake off and get in your tools.
I used black pipe and painted it, happy with it so far.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
Another vote for black pipe.
JerryB
Well-known member
Black. The suggestions that galvanized will flake off are somewhat exaggerated, but still a possibility. Putting a filter / regulator at each drop solves that problem.
Jerry
Jerry
James-W
Well-known member
I just hope nobody says to use PVC.
ForceFed70
Well-known member
Galvanic coatings only seem to flake when the substrate material is stressed (pipe is hammered, bent, etc.). It's very rare to see flaking as a result of corrosion and intuitively that makes sense. The galvanic coating is meant to act as a sacrificial metal - the whole point is that the coating corrodes instead of the steel. So it's not very likely to have corrosion of the steel happen underneath the coating which is what would have to occur to cause flaking unless you plan to bend pipe or something similar.
Having said that, you don't need the coating - black pipe will last virtually forever without it in this application, so I wouldn't bother.
Having said that, you don't need the coating - black pipe will last virtually forever without it in this application, so I wouldn't bother.
If you want to really keep it sanitary use some 316 SS pipe. It will cost you some extra $$$ but in the long run will be worth it. We used to do this around the food machinery.
It will not get rusty and you can just blow it off when it gets dusty.
It will not get rusty and you can just blow it off when it gets dusty.
premierplayer
Well-known member
made it all the way to post #8
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Crazy68Dart
Well-known member
1/2" black iron pipe was installed by my Dad at my grandpa's house when my Dad was in his late teens early 20s. He is now 68. It feeds NG to a small workshop, buried in the ground, and he pressure tested it a few years ago with 50 PSI of air before the workshop was restored NG hooked back up for heat.
I used black iron buried from coal cellar where air compressor is to my old garage. Worked fine...
Old black iron is probably better made than new, like everything else, but just some food for thought.
I used black iron buried from coal cellar where air compressor is to my old garage. Worked fine...
Old black iron is probably better made than new, like everything else, but just some food for thought.
stonesfan68
Well-known member
Neither, use aluminum.
77Mini
Well-known member
All the service air lines at work are copper. they are brazed not soft solder. Anyone tried this for home use?
lakeroadster
Well-known member
I used black...
Once you use black, you'll never go back.
I guess to properly answer your question we need to know what you will be using the air supply for?
Once you use black, you'll never go back.
I guess to properly answer your question we need to know what you will be using the air supply for?
Coasterbuilder
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2014
- Messages
- 75
A six foot stick of 20mm 316 SS is $168 at Zoro. A 10 foot stick of 3/4 galv is less than 20 bucks. Black pipe is a couple of bucks cheaper.
Seriously- in what universe will this ever be "worth it"?
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
I used a mix of black pipe with some galvanized fittings. I got it covered.
I used black...
Once you use black, you'll never go back.
I guess to properly answer your question we need to know what you will be using the air supply for?
^ ^ ^ This . . . . . because I'm Back In Black !! Yes, I'm Back in Black !!
Also, black pipe steel is stronger . . . .
. . . . . for the Earthquake felt today in parts of KS & OK, stronger is better !!
. . . . just remember to put the flex line (ie hydraulic hose) between compressor & airline system.
c39er
Well-known member
I always wondered what the silvery flakes were in my drinking water.
They were galvanic flakes coming from my galvanized water pipes.
white PVC or grey PVC?
Wabash
Active member
For the flexible coupling I used a hydraulic hose from the tank outlet to my Black pipe inlet. Any Tractor Supply supply store has them for $10 - $15 and a Hydraulic swivel coupler is a couple bucks. Temps from the tank outlet to the black pipe aren't high and won't affect the integrity of the hydraulic line.
I bought 1" (3/4" ID) brass fittings from the home store and had the hose shop make a 3' flex hose. My limited understanding is that it would be best to use a larger ID tube for as long as possible before throttling it down at the end. The amount of flow at X PSI is proportional to the diameter of the tube.
People jabber about black pipe rusting, but as long as all horizontal runs are sloped, there's little chance of water pooling, I'd think.
I used 3/4" black pipe.
People jabber about black pipe rusting, but as long as all horizontal runs are sloped, there's little chance of water pooling, I'd think.
I used 3/4" black pipe.
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Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Yeah, the lame PVC jokes are getting tiresome.
engineer2
Well-known member
Yes, 1/2" type L is good, used regular plumbing solder ( I'm not renting oxy-acet tanks for such a small job), 120 psi. Easy to install, won't rust or corrode. Modern factories and warehouses are done this way, except some are probably brazed. With BIP or GIP, you need a point-of-use filter. From my compressor to air dryer I just use a length of 3/4" industrial rubber hose and hose clamps. Same hose since 1982. Maybe I should replace it, LOL.
nadogail
Well-known member
I am using a 50' Harbor Freight air hose, it was quick, cheap and easy.
My first preference would be the green plastic pipe from Ryan-Herco.
2nd personal choice would be copper because I find it easy to work with using a propane torch, acid flux, and 50/50 solder.
As long as the Harbor Freight air hose keeps working in my little hobby shop, I will leave it in place.
My first preference would be the green plastic pipe from Ryan-Herco.
2nd personal choice would be copper because I find it easy to work with using a propane torch, acid flux, and 50/50 solder.
As long as the Harbor Freight air hose keeps working in my little hobby shop, I will leave it in place.
What is the difference again between the different grades of copper pipe? (type K, L, or M) I used to know this but forgot/
I recently overhauled my compressor and moved it from the shed to the garage on the opposite side of the house, its time to plumb the garage for air, as I get tired of tripping on the air hose. (used to run 125' of air hose from the shed to the garage across the front lawn whenever I needed air in the garage which was often)
I recently overhauled my compressor and moved it from the shed to the garage on the opposite side of the house, its time to plumb the garage for air, as I get tired of tripping on the air hose. (used to run 125' of air hose from the shed to the garage across the front lawn whenever I needed air in the garage which was often)
crooklyn
Well-known member
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Run your lines right with proper blow downs and there is no condensation inside to cause rust...
Tommy
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lakeroadster
Well-known member
If any component is made from raw steel, it will rust.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
K is the thickest wall and is not flexible. L & M are thinner (in order of wall thickness) and can be bent with a hickey.
Tommy
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
Very true, but it's minimal in terms of creating enough rust buildup to "flake off". The blow down legs should be removing the majority of the rust anyway.
Copper (or better yet, Stainless Steel) would be the better choice.
Tommy
lakeroadster
Well-known member
I agree it's minimal. I have Black Pipe in my shop and don't have any problematic issues with rust due to the piping arrangement I installed, but rust is indeed visible in the water separator bowl. It's raw steel pipe, with humid air blowing through it, thus, it rusts.
I was merely responding to your comment:
"No condensation"... that's just not the case.
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stg454
Well-known member
They make K copper in sticks that is not flexible or you can buy it in rolls which is flexible. Most common use for the rolls is underground water services from the water main to the house.
Muzzy
Well-known member
This for anyone in search of an excuse to buy an orbital welder.
In the black pipe vs. galvanized debate, either should be satisfactory for the intended use. I would go black pipe if I were purchasing the pipe and fittings new, but I wouldn't hesitate to use galvanized if there was a deal to be had.