Passing air from compressor to reel 20 ft away...

[jaysen]

Just as the title states, I'm redoing my garage and ended up purchasing Rigid Air Reel from Home Depot on clearance. I wanna put my compressor under my bench and ultimately run a line up the wall to the reel - Someone used PVC to do this but recommended against it on these boards... IF not PVC, what should be used to run from my compressor to my reel

 

[fabrk8r]

I usually use black iron pipe and threaded fittings, but copper and sweat fittings can be used as well.

There are also companies that make aluminum air line systems, but that seems pretty pricey compared to black iron.

 

[mhm993]

Search is your friend.

concensus, such as one could call it, is black pipe, tape AND pipe dope, and make sure you put extra unions in the runs for repairs.

 

[JSBriggs]

I'd use copper. The cost at the length you are talking (20 or so feet) is negligible, but it is much easier to work with than threaded fittings.

-Jeff

 

[jaysen]

Search is your friend.

concensus, such as one could call it, is black pipe, tape AND pipe dope, and make sure you put extra unions in the runs for repairs.

Thanks for the replies, and I tried searching...

You wouldn't believe how many results turned up with the words "AIR" "LINE" "TUBING"

 

[tatra]

when i read the title i thought of elevators.............

 

[Garry Carter]

Elevators?? Not MY first thought ... when you said "passing air" I figgered this was one up in my wheelhouse!

Others have argued against it -- and I have no quarrel with those who use black pipe, copper pipe, or whatever. For for the least expensive, easiest material to work with ... I vote Schedule-80 PVC. It's been in my shop for 5 years with pipes from compressor to three wall drops (including one outside), and an overhead hose reel -- ZERO problems. Just plan on engineering in a way to drain condensation from the lines regularly.

 

[mhulbrock]

For a short 20ft run, why not some 1/2" air hose? Works great in my shop, easy to run.

 

[bb1970]

I'd use air hose too. Everybody will go on about pressure drop. But is very minimal.

 

[spongerich]

PVC is dangerous. I prefer glass tubing.

 

[srmofo]

PVC is dangerous. I prefer glass tubing.

Glass tubing is only effective if you duct tape nails to it first

seriously though the biggest risk for pvc comes from something striking it. And given enough time age will get it. Those who use it, just havent witnessed the kind of damage ruptured pvc will cause, or they dont care about their health or the people that visit their shop. Its an unbelievable amount of energy stored in it, and if anyone is standing near it when it goes its going to be a bad day.

Save your time and energy for another project, just use air hose to the reel. if you want that clean look, than use copper

 

[spongerich]

Those who use it, just havent witnessed the kind of damage ruptured pvc will cause, or they dont care about their health or the people that visit their shop. Its an unbelievable amount of energy stored in it, and if anyone is standing near it when it goes its going to be a bad day.

I briefly considered using PVC and encasing it in some old garden hose to protect it. I have an almost unlimited supply of rubber hose since my wife tends to drive over the ends of any new hose within a month.

My thought was that the hose would probably contain any shrapnel should the PVC fail... my second thought was that if I was mistaken, it would really **** a lot.

In the end, I decided that since my shop isn't all that large, copper makes much more sense.

 

[tonydanzah]

black iron seems expensive compared to nylon semi air brake line.

 

[djd99]

I have black pipe in my shop burried in my walls witch seems to work great. I don't think I would bother with copper as it's just too expensive now, But then again I have 100' of black pipe.