Shop air lines
- Thread starter thejudges69
- Start date
mikeyr
Well-known member
I used copper, only because i was too lazy to make it work with pipe, I don't have a threading machine. It was expensive but a one time expense for the garage I will taken out of feet first by the coroner, not planning on ever selling or moving. Big advantage, I did not plan on is a lot less moisture in my air lines, because copper cools the air pretty quick. I get water in my first drop, very little to no water in drops further down the line.
OCD
Well-known member
I went with Infinity fittings and pipe... Awesome fittings to work with, and no leaks since install... However, they are not cheap...
NakeDiesel
Well-known member
Here's my setup, Eaton 2 stage verticle 80 gallon compressor, dryer unit using black pipe and hydraulic hoses inside compressor room. Black pipe out and branched in 2 directions. One to a set of hose connectors and a filtered/regulated outlet for when I'm painting, I just recently added a 1/2" air hose that goes up and across the ceiling to the opposite wall for 2 more hose outlets and a reel hose outside the shop for air up equipment and vehicles when needed or my outside sand blaster. The other branch goes to 2 outlets and then 3 feeders to my 20' workbench. 2 coiled hoses and a reel hose. I also have drains at each drop point on the end to remove potential liquid that in the lines. Just picked up my cyclone blasting cabinet for the shop yesterday and haven't gotten it hooked up yet.
unbelievable that we're still debating the difference between compressed air and water. Pressure vessels are hydro tested, and not compressed air tested, for a reason: no one gets killed from a PV failure with compressed water. As said, compressed air, like a compressed coil spring, has an incredible amount of potential energy. Water under pressure, like a steel plate under pressure, has ~no potential energy. Physics doesn't know about OSHA; but you should know about physics.
I did my air system with 3/4 and 1/2 copper tube. 3/4 runs down the wall 25' to allow cooling, back 25', then reduces to 1/2" into a water separator, regulator, and hose reel. There are three dead leg drops for water to drop out. I did my system in ~2003 and it cost about $200 for the tubing, ball valves, and fittings. Yes, it was a lot of $ at the time, but I spent $1600 on a compressor. And the copper is a life-long solution and doesn't rust or leak at the joints. I realize there's inflation, but people here have no problem spending that much $ today on a 7 piece Snap On screwdriver set where they'll only use the #2 phillips 99.99% of the time.
I did my air system with 3/4 and 1/2 copper tube. 3/4 runs down the wall 25' to allow cooling, back 25', then reduces to 1/2" into a water separator, regulator, and hose reel. There are three dead leg drops for water to drop out. I did my system in ~2003 and it cost about $200 for the tubing, ball valves, and fittings. Yes, it was a lot of $ at the time, but I spent $1600 on a compressor. And the copper is a life-long solution and doesn't rust or leak at the joints. I realize there's inflation, but people here have no problem spending that much $ today on a 7 piece Snap On screwdriver set where they'll only use the #2 phillips 99.99% of the time.
rwreuter
Well-known member
What size pex were you running? 1/2" or 3/4"?
OP
thejudges69
Well-known member
I'm running 3/4 lines. I went with all rapid air products.
pmiranda
Well-known member
FWIW, I already have a mix of 1/2 and 3/4 PEX water plumbing in my shop, so I'm thinking I might as well use it for air as well since I have all the tools already and I can easily drop by 2 or 3 stores open late hours for more fittings. I'm not excited about having to mail order a special system or buy new tools to run something else. I sure as hell don't want to learn to solder copper an inch from spray foam insulation 
First segment is just 40 feet or so to get from where the compressor is going to a convenient drop in the shop where I'll mount a hose reel.
First segment is just 40 feet or so to get from where the compressor is going to a convenient drop in the shop where I'll mount a hose reel.
pmiranda
Well-known member
I guess the thing I'm fuzzy on is how to get long horizontal runs of PEX to reliably slope to drains. Requires a lot more support than metal pipe, but getting rid of half a dozen fittings seems worth it.
Wrench97
Well-known member
Run it like a rain gutter high on one end lower on the other the air will push the water through.
Also a tee and a drop on the riser with a petcock on the bottom will collect a lot of water.
OP
thejudges69
Well-known member
What's the grey stuff? I ended up with all rapid air materials
Northern Tool sells their own air line kit. It is a copy cat of the Rapid Air. The tubing appears to be identical but the fittings are different. I mixed and matched with no issue. The grey just matched my walls better.
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OP
thejudges69
Well-known member
Interesting. Is that a new line? I saw nothing in their catalog about it
I guess technically is it made by Klutch.
Klutch 3/4in. 100ft. Master Kit Compressed Air Piping System | Northern Tool
The Klutch® 3/4in. 100ft. Master Kit Compressed Air Piping System allows you to design and install your own personalized air system any wa...
m.northerntool.com
soloz2
Well-known member
I had been looking at the less expensive rapid air kit vs the Maxline and Pex alternative. I decided to go with Pex, but haven't gotten around to doing the install just yet. Pex cost is about the same as the cheap Rapidair kit and has the same size ID as the more expensive kits.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
A mixture of Rapid Air and Northern tool(because it is grey). Really happy with it.
What brand air line reel is that? I assume Klutch?
It is a flexzilla from tractor supply!
Metal-Marc
Well-known member
Yes. Another air line thread. OP should try a garden hose and report back.
acer66
Well-known member
Not exited to buy new tools?FWIW, I already have a mix of 1/2 and 3/4 PEX water plumbing in my shop, so I'm thinking I might as well use it for air as well since I have all the tools already and I can easily drop by 2 or 3 stores open late hours for more fittings. I'm not excited about having to mail order a special system or buy new tools to run something else. I sure as hell don't want to learn to solder copper an inch from spray foam insulation
First segment is just 40 feet or so to get from where the compressor is going to a convenient drop in the shop where I'll mount a hose reel.
Heck, I come up with totally unnecessary and absolutely useless projects all the time so I have to “invest” in new tools.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I use a combo of hoses and a lightweight compressor. I bring it to the work, which is really helpful when I need it in the house for trim work
Metallitubby
Well-known member
Thank you.
Whats with the bypass valves in the intake plumbing?
NakeDiesel
Well-known member
When temps get below 40 degrees, I'll switch the 2" closed and open the 2 1" valves to pull air from inside. Will also cover the 2 vents and shut off the vent fan till warmer weather.
It's high of 68 today, tomorrow low 30s high down into teens.
It's high of 68 today, tomorrow low 30s high down into teens.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
My local Tractor Supply had two of these in-stock. One was an open-box/display model with everything included. They ended up giving me their employee discount and I got it for $100 OTD. Thank you again for the heads up.