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How to set up copper air lines?

ps2cho

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Mar 19, 2013
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197
I needed to move my compressor to the other side of my garage...and now I need to run a line to the hose reel I have.

I bought 20ft of 1/2" type M copper pipe, and now I have some design questions:

How should I hook this up to my air compressor? I have standard 1/4 quick connects right now.

Do I need to get some sort of copper 1/2" to 1/4" NPT adapter? I looked at HD and Lowes and can't find this exists. Am I missing something here?
 
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The Cobbler

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Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
a lot of people use a hydraulic rubber line from the compressor to the pipe. TSC has good deals on them, use a pipe thread to pipe thread hose & get fittings to match accordingly to your copper. pitch your copper away from the compressor and take the drops off the top of the pipe so water doesn't run into the drop .put a drain valve in the low end of your run to occasionally blow off the water (condensate)
 
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ps2cho

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a lot of people use a hydraulic rubber line from the compressor to the pipe. TSC has good deals on them, use a pipe thread to pipe thread hose & get fittings to match accordingly to your copper. pitch your copper away from the compressor and take the drops off the top of the pipe so water doesn't run into the drop .put a drain valve in the low end of your run to occasionally blow off the water (condensate)

Yea that’s the issue...I have a jumper hose, standard 3/8” hose with 1/4” NPT male ends. I can’t find any 1/4” to 1/2” pipe adapters hence why I feel like I’m missing something here because I’m using standard air hoses
 

Disney

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Dec 20, 2010
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Location
Murfreesboro, TN
I just used a copper pipe to 1/2npt fitting, then threaded in a 1/2 to 1/4npt bushing.

On my system I did a rubber hose from compressor to filter/reg then copper out of there to a copper union. Then copper into the shop and used copper Tees and 90s throughout the shop. Everywhere I have a drop I used a 1/2npt copper fitting then a 1/2 to 1/4 bushing. I have 7 of these in my shop. I used 3/4 pipe though. If using 1/2 pipe you can get a 1/2 copper to 1/4npt adapter.
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Elkhart-30138-1-2-x-1-4-Copper-x-Female-Adapter
 

johninct

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Dec 21, 2010
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Make sure the Hydraulic Hose you buy is BRAND NEW.... never had oil in it.
 
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ps2cho

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ps2cho

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Mar 19, 2013
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the compressor and pipe should hold air. look at your air tools youll figure it out

Its going to a hose reel that holds air, thats why I'm asking...I figure I'll put female QC's on both ends of the pipe so that everything holds air, just wondered if thats just unnecessary?
 

gorilla

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Dec 13, 2007
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Perfect maybe I missed them, will try again!

So conceptually....do I want female quick connects on the copper piping, or do I want male quick connects?

Basically do I want the pipe to hold air when its disconnected at either end, or does it not matter?

I would use hose barbs and hose for all the connections. I see no need for quick disconnects. The fitting size on your hose reel will determine the size of hose you need.
 

csp

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Franktown, CO
There's no need for quick connects at the ends of the copper. You're just introducing potential slow leaks doing that.

While you many not find 1/2 to 1/4 adapters you can find 1/2 to 3/8 and then 3/8 to 1/4.
 

4 FN 27

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Oct 19, 2015
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Location
Minnesnowta
At the Compressor you will need a Vibration Isolation Hose. I use this type from McMaster Carr.

https://www.mcmaster.com/vibration-isolation-hose/thread-type~npt/extreme-temperature-air-and-steam-hose-with-male-threaded-fittings/

You can thread this into the Compressor and then into the hard line on the wall. You will need to solder in a Union so you can connect/disconnect from the Air System.

I only use Copper, Brass and Stainless never Galvanized Pipe when doing any sort of Air System Plumbing. This keeps contamination down due to rust.

A hose going from the System to the Hose Reel should be good enough but I would suggest a premade Hose Assembly with Quick Disconnects. I stay away from Hose Barbs where ever possible. They do come loose over time. Tekton has premade Hoses as short as 36 inches. Others are available as well. I use Good Year if I can find them.

I came home after a long weekend to find my Air Compressor running wide open because a Hose came off the Barb. My fault for leaving the compressor on but I have no idea how long it had ben running.

Put Drip Legs on your system so you can drain the moisture from your lines. Always go up off the main before going down so the moisture stays in the main leg and can be drained. Never coil Hoses going from the System to a piece of equipment. This leads to moisture developing in the low spots in the Hose...but then think about a Hose Reel...it is a coil...

Vibration Isolation Hose:

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Filters and Regulator (No Lubricator):

attachment.php


Drip leg on the left, Air Drop on the right (note it goes up before going down):

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Drip leg on the left, Air Drop on the right:

attachment.php
 

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