Running Compressor Lines

[Knyte Tyne]

Good day GJ Family...

So I have a quick question for everyone. it pertains to running Compressor lines for Air in the 'Shop'...

So On my end of the world. Copper Piping is Prohibitively Expensive. I cant find decent Black or even Galv pipe and don't have a way to Thread them regardless...

So this got me thinking... I have just "upgraded" my compressor with a proper Rubber Hose and Connectors. (been using the Cheapo Expanda Hose that came with the Hobby unit)

Now I know PVC piping is an absolute no go... But trying to run Flexible Rubber Hose neatly and straight without sag is nigh on impossible.

Now here is my idea...

Could I run my setup with the Rubber Hose as I intend to but inside the PVC piping? (its cheap and i can get many meters worth within my budget)

So basically like you would for electrical, Id install the Conduit but with the Rubber Hose Slipped inside with just the ends coming out each side with the connectors. The pipe would never be sealed so would never hold pressure should there be a leak in the Rubber hose for whatever reason one may occur. It means I can use all the bits and peices that let you Run Neat electrical conduit but inside there is my Air line...

Thoughts? Ideas? Improvements? Potential Pitfalls that I'm not seeing?

I hope this was the right section to post this... Will try get some Pics Up soon to better explain my though process...

Thank you all for the assistance and thoughts...

 

[gdocktor3]

That would work just fine. You could use abs to hide it better, plus it's cheaper then pvc or conduit. I would use 1/2" air hose if your compressor is big enough, then come off with 3/8" hose.

 

[Knyte Tyne]

Thanks gdocktor, I come from metric land so please forgive the imperial/metric crossover.

I'm currently Running a 10mm Rubber Hose, and I have 12mm Conduit in storage so it will fit quite nicely... Using long Curved 90 bends should eliminate any Pinching going around corners... My compressor is small and I would like to upgrade it in the long run but right now its all 1/4 inch on the Threads and Connectors...

When you say ABS do you have a reference for me... just not able to put image to mind currently on ABS 'Tubing' Not sure what to search for from my local Suppliers, you'd think one thing would be the same thing on the other side of the planet but we run on 'Africa' conventions...

 

[94EG8]

What's the price of aluminum like over there?

 

[Knyte Tyne]

I wouldn't be able to get you an accurate amount without getting a quote from somewhere first, it fluctuates quite widely depending on who and where. Last bit I bought was about 2 to 3 times the price of steel in the same Dimensions... Its sits up there with Copper pipe I know that much... Especially for Quality Aluminium... A lot of the Window and Door places here use an Aluminium that's only a few grains separate from being Pewter in its quality at least in my experience. I'm only DIY though so never really looked for the Industrial quality stuff before.

Hopefully Ill get some experimentation in this weekend coming and can post pics if its viable... I just have some stock of the PVC conduit so figured Start there as proof of concept. I guess any piping could work really for the application at hand. I just like the idea of the PVC conduit as mounting brackets bends connectors etc are widely available on my side of the Atlantic.

 

[gdocktor3]

ABS is the black plastic drain pipe. PVC is the white drain pipe. Conduit is they grey PVC for electrical. Since you're using the pipe simply to hide the air hose, go with the cheapest possible. Here's a link. No offense it's just the first link that popped up. http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/plumbing/pipes/how-to-recognize-different-types-of-pipes/

 

[Knyte Tyne]

No Offense at all in fact I think the Web address is fitting to my current knowledge on the matter... I think I have more "For Dummies" books on my shelf than any other type. They really are useful for Quick reference to things when your just starting out with no or little knowledge (I even have the Being a Dad for Dummies - Not sure if my wife was joking or genuinely worried). Thank you very much for Clarifying that for me... Ill see what I can find on my side.

 

[mbshop]

Interesting subject. I need to run 50 ft of rubber hose and was thinking about the drooping issue also.
using cheap plastic pipes is a great idea. I will most likely paint mine black.

 

[Kenskip1]

Sir For Dummies? Just because you are not familiar with something does not make you a Dummy.You are learning and that is what this forum is about. Ken

 

[Roberts210]

Try it! Sounds like a good idea. So sad what has happened in South Africa since the 1990's.

 

[RNBRAD]

I did exactly that for one of my setups. I did not like the look of the red rubber hose running up the wall to my hose reel so I ran it inside a 3/4 or 1" (can't recall) PVC pipe. I then painted the pipe to match the wall, turned our real nice!!

 

[jeepboy4life]

So why is PVC a no go? Schedule 80 PVC is rated to 400 PSI, I use it in pressurized water systems that reach 140 PSI on a regular basis. Just curious if there is something I am missing.

 

[Knyte Tyne]

I did exactly that for one of my setups. I did not like the look of the red rubber hose running up the wall to my hose reel so I ran it inside a 3/4 or 1" (can't recall) PVC pipe. I then painted the pipe to match the wall, turned our real nice!!

Which paint did you use? in my experience it always seems to Flake off (Spray Can or brushed with keying it first)

Sir For Dummies? Just because you are not familiar with something does not make you a Dummy.You are learning and that is what this forum is about. Ken

Very True, its actually incredible just how much I've learned since my discovery of the GJ and general chatter amongst shared interests. However in stark contrast the occasions where I've Measured Ten times and cut once and still got things wrong - the face-slap for Dummies comes into play.

Interesting subject. I need to run 50 ft of rubber hose and was thinking about the drooping issue also.
using cheap plastic pipes is a great idea. I will most likely paint mine black.

Let me know how the painting goes and what you use.

So why is PVC a no go? Schedule 80 PVC is rated to 400 PSI, I use it in pressurized water systems that reach 140 PSI on a regular basis. Just curious if there is something I am missing.

I think this applies more to the Chlorinated PVC pipe for electrical conduit. Over time the plastic becomes brittle which when pressurized can cause a catastrophic fracture of the material showering Splinters as its not 'shatterproof'. It was in one of the threads somewhere here, I'm sure more knowledgeable individuals can clarify the details.

 

[cattoon]

When a PVC pipe with 140 lbs of water pressure ruptures you get wet because water is essentially non compressible. When a PVC pipe with air or gas which is readily compressible in it ruptures it can fracture into large shards which have been known to maim or blind folks in the vicinity. Many years ago I worked in a furniture plant that was plumbed with PVC, it was a common occurrence for a run to rupture or a fitting to break off for no apparent reason. I'm aware that there are PVC air systems being used all over the world right now but my experience is that it is a profoundly bad idea.

 

[cabranch47]

I did the same thing in my shop. Ran rubber hose inside PVC. Works fine. I put pvc couplings on each end of the pipe because they have a smooth edge. The rubber hose expands and contracts with temp. Sharp edge of pvc pipe might abrade the hose over time.

 

[RNBRAD]

I painted my PVC with the same paint used on my garage walls. It's just your typical water based latex paint from Sherwin Williams. It's been there 14 years and has never peeled. But that's latex, latex is another name for rubber, and certain acrylics will peel if flexed too much.