New Shop Air Line Placement

[Ppwcanada]

Hi all, so now comes time to run air lines in the shop. Been working with multiple air hoses from the compressor too long! I have a 5hp Devillbiss compressor, from there ill go to a Devillbiss air dryer/cleaner setup. From there it will go to a refrigerated air cooler. My plan is 1" black pipe. The shop is 70' x 80' with 18' walls. My original plan was to go from the compressor room to the roof then a 1" main line around the perimeter with 3/4" drops. I'll be running a 4x8 cnc plasma table and a powder coater occasionally, as well as air tools, 4 post hoist etc.

Heres my question. I have a collection of lit dealer signs throughout my shop. I really hate the thought of having random black pipe dropping from the ceiling kinda taking away from the overall look. What are your guys opinion on rather than going to the ceiling, simply running the perimeter at 4' from ground with drip legs at each fitting and maybe a water trap every 50'? Thanks!!!

 

[no704]

Use white PVC, it will blend in with the walls!

 

[Ppwcanada]

Lol...why didnt i think of that!!!

 

[Nthill93]

What about white pex?

 

[Ppwcanada]

I might be old school but I just dont trust a 100+ psi air line that if by accident a fork lift fork hits it, it's a problem.

 

[dagofast]

It's your shop but I'd run the main lines at whatever height was best and impeded the least amount of stuff like doors, windows, signs & equipment. Paint the black pipe the same color as the walls and it will virtually disappear.

I used uni-strut to mount all of the electrical conduit in my shop and mounted the copper air line on there as well. In my shop, it all runs along one wall from the breaker panel over the man door but under the high windows with another run going across the ceiling to the other side. I didn't paint mine because A. I hate to paint and B. It doesn't bother me in the least.

 

[Ppwcanada]

I've been thinking about just painting the lines...I'm with you on not liking painting but its likely the best option. I was wondering if running it at 4' it would be hidden by alot of my stuff, but wondering how much moisture I'd be dealing with...

 

[kbs2244]

paint it (except for 6 in. at each end) before you put it up
that way you cut down on the ladder work
you only need to paint in place at the joints

the amount of moisture in the system has nothing to do with its height
a drip leg with a ball valve down to 5 gal pail height will make draining painless

 

[CraigStu]

Run them at 4ft or whichever works best re; cabinets etc. 1" black pipe is nearly indestructible so I wouldn't worry about hitting it.

 

[i4ni]

We ran ours at the farm shop at 4' but the barn steel is ran horizontal so it hugs the wall. Not a big fan of horizontal steel because the ribs collect dirt bad.

 

[nadogail]

My air system consists of hoses run through the trusses in the overhead.