Questions on air compressor plumbing

[shouse]

Yea, I know, it's been beaten to death quite a bit already. I'm following the pdf diagram from TPTools (https://www.tptools.com/tech-metal-piping.dlp) as well as what I've found from searching. I really just have one question. I'm going with black iron piping and a lot of folks recommend sloping the pipe back to the tank. My question is HOW w/ black iron piping. I'm only aware of 90* and 45* fittings and I do not have access to a pipe bender (not for black iron pipe anyways). I plan on doing a zig-zag down my wall and trying to slope it sure would add a lot of complexity?

Is sloping necessary? I noticed the pdf diagram doesn't indicate it at all? Any ingenious ideas on how to get it done? Copper isn't an option unfortunately.

Thanks

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Don't they just mean in the first few feet? You can use 45* fittings for that. After that you use drops with a ball valve at the bottom to purge them, with a "T" above for your quick-connects.

 

[Rossco]

Well I sloped my pipe towards the drip leg. The riser from the compressor is the highest point in the system.

Even with 3/4 main line, having the Riser and mainline perfectly square, the pipe will flex slightly to allow a slight slope to the next coupler, T or elbow.

 

[Schurkey]

the pipe will flex slightly to allow a slight slope to the next coupler, T or elbow.

^^^^ There y' go.

 

[shouse]

Perfect, that makes sense, thanks. I'm sloping upwards away from the tank for the first few feet. Afterwards, I'll follow the natural bending principle, should make things a lot easier. Thanks again.

 

[jallyn]

Right, just a very slight amount is enough, so just use a bubble level and make sure it is slightly off center when securing the pipe.

 

[Dagny]

An elbow and a street elbow will allow steeper slopes

 

[Boilerhouse]

The pipe will have a natural tendency to droop, however, it should still be supported to remove excessive strain from fittings. The downward slope of the line should be in the direction of air flow.