Half Price black pipe for Air?

[barrysuperhawk]

Ok, so I have decided Black pipe is easier for me to work with for the air system in my house, and more aesthetically pleasing than the rubber hose and EMT clips I currently am rocking. Since it is so damn cold, this project is getting more planning than I normally put into projects like these, and I ran across this stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F36449W/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A2SCN3DW6E1065&psc=1

Apparently there are a TON of "Black Iron" pipe and fitting kits on Amazon for hobbyists and quarantine projects, and some of it seems dirt cheap. I will be using the thick Teflon tape and can run taps and dies to clean up any goofy threads. My question is, is this cheap iron good enough for my low pressure (less than 100psi) air system in my house/garage? Are there any pitfalls with using the generic stuff?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Link takes me to Amazon general page not to the product in question.

Several guys here have talked about cheap fittings like to leak.

 

[rlitman]

They're listed as "decorative". Are you sure they'll hold pressure? It sounds too cheap to be real class 150.

 

[Git]

If you want to take a chance on having to redo it...

 

[will335i]

They're listed as "decorative". Are you sure they'll hold pressure? It sounds too cheap to be real class 150.

This right here. It is likely not rated. Pressure even "low" pressure can be lethal. Plus now you are introducing metal shrapnel.

Black pipe is fine for air drops. We used it in a lot of our production facilities before we started switching over to transair piping.

 

[nmk_61802]

They're listed as "decorative". Are you sure they'll hold pressure? It sounds too cheap to be real class 150.

In the Q&A section it was asked if these can be used for “gas”. Manufacturer/ Seller explicitly says “no, never”.


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[bob15]

Here is a good place to buy your fitting from. You can get the junk import stuff or domestically made. They also have free shipping over 99 bucks: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Black-Fittings-173000

I would try and source your pipe locally from a plumbing supply house. Look for pipe not made in china. It will be stamped (with ink) on the outside with a COO.

Don't forget to include a few ball valves. I used the US-made Apollo valves.

 

[aussieblake]

Might look at Zoro.com, they can be less expensive than big box stores.

 

[Arne73]

Go with PVC.

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[Shiftless]

Go with PVC.

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Ha ha!

Seriously, I used the supply house guys that bob15 mentioned to buy black pipe fittings for a 90 bottle wine rack project. They were rated fittings. The cost even with shipping included for a smaller order was still a lot less than HD and they carried speciality crosses that HD didn’t stock. I put them together without pipe dope or Teflon tape because it was structural. I painted the pipe and fittings dark gray.
Supplyhouse will sell you domestic or imported pipe fittings.

 

[AA/FC]

They're listed as "decorative". Are you sure they'll hold pressure? It sounds too cheap to be real class 150.

In the Q & A section of the link the OP provided...

Question:
Can this be used for gas pip?
Answer:
These fittings are for decoration only. They should never be used to carry gas or water. Please speak to a licensed plumber or other professional to help you.
By Brooklyn Pipe Seller on February 8, 2019

Even the seller admits they shouldn't be used for anything other than decoration.

To the OP, these fittings are garbage, RUN.

 

[The Cobbler]

probably seconds, tested & known to leak . or the quality was /is so bad they are likely to leak.

 

[fsae0607]

You can use the china stuff from big box stores. I did with no issues or any obvious leaks. Use Rectorseal pipe dope with regular white teflon tape. Cinch 'em tight with pipe wrenches.

 

[BombShelter]

Do not use PVC, it will explode and seriously hurt you, or worse, your kids.

If you want a ridgid plastic product Duraplus Piping is made for air lines, if it fractures, it rips and doesn't throw shrapnel everywhere.

With metal pipe, condensation on the pipe has to be a consideration.

 

[BD1]

Go with PVC.

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I'm hoping you're joking.
PVC is illegal for Air. All PVC manufacturers state this, Not For Compressed Air.


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[isb cornbinder]

I ran black pipe in my shop, for the sir system. The pipe has developed rust inside. I have to use a filter at every outlet to protect my air tools.
If I had o do this air piping again, and I may have to, I would use the system this guy installed.

 

[Sportsman762]

I have not had good luck with many chinese fittings. If your relying on dope to seal up crummy threads, your just asking for trouble in the future. If I am installing something I like to put it up and not have to fix it. Crummy threads are a recipe for repairs. Also cheap pipe and fittings thread like crud. You frequently will get tear out on the threads. How do you plan on rethreading, cutting the old end off and threading new? This is what we do when dealing with bad threads on a pipe at my side job. However we also only use North American fittings and pipe. The local supply house does not even carry import because the plumbers and drillers will not use it due to the amount of time wasted chasing leaks.

 

[Showkey]

Read a few of the Amazon reviews they mention cracks, leaks and flaws.

Not for pressure or liquids.

 

[gjohnson]

I worked in a shop that had black pipe. It is dry here in Arizona and we still had moisture build up. The rust was so bad I would carry a male/male fitting to purge with every time I needed to use it. It would let off a huge cloud of rust dust and it would also bleed through the tool exit. Had to run los of oil, it destroyed many air tools and they would pay to replace them.

This is just my experience, I know people have success with it however it’s not for me. I recently installed a copper system in my three car and the price wasn’t too bad. And yes we had filters, lots of them.

 

[Blind1]

When they say DIY they mean Shelby and Cheyenne’s Pinterest Projects, not a DIY pressure system... for Pete’s sake people.

 

[johninct]

Buy it at your real local plumbing supply house. Sometimes stuff not bought at a real plumbing supply house will leak because of quality issues. I have read on this site of people having leaks and trying to fix them all of the time. I used copper and anywhere I had NPT, I just used a few wraps of white Teflon tape and never had a leak.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I used black iron 30 years ago when I built my garage. Got everything from a plumbing supply company. No real issues other Than the inevitable rust. If I had the opportunity to do it again, i would use type L copper.

At work everything is black iron and the rust problems are minimal as we have large refrigerated air dryers.

I would not cheap out on any of the bits and pieces - your time is worth more than that

 

[mc4life27]

Do not use PVC, it will explode and seriously hurt you, or worse, your kids.

If you want a ridgid plastic product Duraplus Piping is made for air lines, if it fractures, it rips and doesn't throw shrapnel everywhere.

With metal pipe, condensation on the pipe has to be a consideration.

My dad did his shop with regular sch40 pvc and never had any issues with it and it’s been that way for 20 plus years. All inside of the shop and he did mount all the fitting to the wall so if the hose got pulled the force was not been applied to the pvc pipe. Also I have heard people using pex and have good luck with it just as long as the lines are covered and out of sight of the sun. If the sun hits it they do split quickly from the uv rays


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[OldNeons]

Look at Rapid Air (I prefer max line) or copper instead

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Don't use black pipe because of the rust, use copper

 

[logical]

My dad did his shop with regular sch40 pvc and never had any issues with it and it’s been that way for 20 plus years. All inside of the shop and he did mount all the fitting to the wall so if the hose got pulled the force was not been applied to the pvc pipe. Also I have heard people using pex and have good luck with it just as long as the lines are covered and out of sight of the sun. If the sun hits it they do split quickly from the uv rays


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PVC is fine right up until it suddenly fails and harms someone.

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[jimkinney]

I've had the same experience with rusty black iron pipe. Had to replace lots of air cylinders and tools. Go with copper.

 

[bob15]

Have yet to have any issues with black pipe in unheated buildings. Been using them for decades......