Using a gas line for air compressor flex line

ws6formula · Aug 3, 2008

I have a natural gas flex line. This natural gas flex line is normally used for connecting a natural gas applicance (ie. dryer) to the natural gas outlet.
I am setting up an air compressor in my garage and need to connect the compressor hard line (mounted on the wall) to the compressor outlet. The distance from the compressor to the hard line is approximately 18 inches. I know I should use a flex line between the compressor and the hard line. I have read some posts where guys are using high pressure rubber lines with the proper fittings. I checked at home depot and could not see a 1/2" rubber line with 1/2" NPT fittings. Is it possible to use this natural gas flex line in the air compressor setup? I tend to think the best answer is going to be just get a 1/2" high pressure hose made at my local hose/hydraulics shop.

mtwaterguy · Aug 3, 2008

Yeah, you need high pressure hose and fittings. NG flows at a pretty low pressure.

danc333 · Aug 3, 2008

Try this.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00916414000P

Nealcrenshaw · Aug 3, 2008

No. Don't use the the flex line. NG flows at about 1 p.s.i waay to low for an air compressor.I would use either back pipe or rubber compressor hose which is designed for this pressure.

eschoendorff · Aug 3, 2008

Nealcrenshaw said:
No. Don't use the the flex line. NG flows at about 1 p.s.i waay to low for an air compressor.I would use either back pipe or rubber compressor hose which is designed for this pressure.

What he said. :thumbup:

ws6formula · Aug 3, 2008

Thx for the replies. I will not use the Natural Gas hose. It appears the craftsman hose is 3/8" hose with 1/4" NPT fittings. My compressor has a 1/2" outlet and my fixed line is 1/2" black iron pipe. Would I lose much performance (air pressure/volume) by using 3/8" hose (with 1/4" NPT fittings) for a short distance of 2ft coming out of the compressor ?

Lyaec350 · Aug 3, 2008

Just go to a farm or hydraulics store (Northern, HF, Fleet Farm, Tractor Supply, etc) and get a hose that is 1/2" ID with 1/2" npt fittings in whatever length you need.

SpiderGearsMan · Aug 3, 2008

safety sacrificed for economy
your ears would really hurt if that blew out

Moose-LandTran · Aug 3, 2008

ooooooh.. i like the colour...

I'm such a girl..

logical · Aug 3, 2008

Go to any local place that sells hydraulic stuff to businesses (ask any factory maintenace guy, farmer or excavator where to go) and get something like this if you really want to overkill it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SWAGELOK-SS...0715084QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Or just have them make up a rubber one with high pressure hose.

The place I go to makes whatever you want on the spot. I know you can get reinforced rubber made up with and ends you want that will easily handle 300 psi.

Jared · Aug 3, 2008

Just go to a commercial truck parts store and get a flex line that goes to the brake chambers on trucks with air brakes, Cheap and there are tones of options for length.

Nealcrenshaw · Aug 3, 2008

You have two options!

1.buy a hose with 1/2 npt (which may be hard to find)
2.Buy 2 1/2" to 1/4"npt reducers which may be the cheapest route.
you can get these from MSC,fastenal,Mcmaster-Carr,Grainger,Northen tool or the like.

logical · Aug 4, 2008

Nealcrenshaw said:
You have two options!

1.buy a hose with 1/2 npt (which may be hard to find)
2.Buy 2 1/2" to 1/4"npt reducers which may be the cheapest route.
you can get these from MSC,fastenal,Mcmaster-Carr,Grainger,Northen tool or the like.

1. Not hard at all
2. And choke the entire system down to 1/4"?? Why?

Here's an even cheaper, better easier option :

http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?UID=2008080413512913&catname=hydraulic&keyword=H08N

SpiderGearsMan · Aug 4, 2008

the hydraulic hose is a good idea
NOT FREE THOUGH

Nealcrenshaw · Aug 4, 2008

Reducing the 1/2" to 1/4" will not affect air pressure at all,that's why they make them.

Ed_cj2a · Aug 4, 2008

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5Z332

This is what I used. I didn't know about the surplus center back then or I would have used something from there. You only need a couple of feet to kill the vibration.

Went from the hose to 3/4 copper. Seems to be working great!

eschoendorff · Aug 5, 2008

Nealcrenshaw said:
Reducing the 1/2" to 1/4" will not affect air pressure at all,that's why they make them.

You're right, it won't effect air pressure that much, but it will effect air volume. And that is what runs air tools.

ws6formula · Aug 11, 2008

thx for replies - I was able to get a 1/2" Universal Hydraulic Hose with 1/2" NPT fittings made by Apache Hose and Belting (out of Iowa). It turns out the local farm/hardware store carried Hydraulic hoses many sizes and lengths. Local store was the Incredible Country Hardware Store http://www.tscstores.com. Price for hose was $13.99

wilbilt · Aug 11, 2008

ws6formula said:
thx for replies - I was able to get a 1/2" Universal Hydraulic Hose with 1/2" NPT fittings made by Apache Hose and Belting (out of Iowa). It turns out the local farm/hardware store carried Hydraulic hoses many sizes and lengths. Local store was the Incredible Country Hardware Store http://www.tscstores.com. Price for hose was $13.99

Yeppers. I bought a 24" hose and a swivel fitting for one end at TSC for a grand total of about $15.

Lyaec350 · Aug 11, 2008

Yea, don't forget that hydraulic hoses like that don't have swivel fittings on the end (usually) and you'll have to buy a straight thru swivel or a 90* or whatever works best in your application.

warrent · Aug 11, 2008

ws6,
you say from the compressor discharge? Just for what it is worth I would not use standard rubber hose or hydraulic hose. Even though a little expensive, if coming off of the compressor because of the heat you might want to look at a teflon lined hose. Something like one of these:
http://www.velvac.com/pdf/2005 Velvac Product Catalog.pdf

If the link gets messed up search for Velvac P/N 142552.

kbs2244 · Aug 11, 2008

The semi truck guys use high pressure hose for their brake lines.
Check out a truck parts store.

Major Ramifications · Aug 11, 2008

I don't think anyone mentioned the fact that the gas flex line is not made to withstand vibration which would cause fatigue in the metal. Even if it could withstand the pressure, the vibration would eventually get to it and POP goes the weasel.

Toysrfun · Mar 27, 2020

I used a NG line on my compressor for the hot line from head to the tank at 120psi and it’s been in use over a year like this working just fine. Not sure from the wall to tank if it’s ideal unless your compressor is bolted to the floor but just because gas is low pressure doesn’t mean the line isn’t rated much higher. Since there are no rules on air lines one can simply try and see what works best for them. You may be able to find the data sheet on the item chosen and see what kind of pressure testing has been done. A lot of times they will pressurize for 200psi for example at a given amount of time and base the durability on those numbers. It’s obvious nobody wants a gas line failing so they’re likely to be rated much higher. Considering black pipe is often used for compressed air no reason the flex line couldn’t be considered. I think we as people tend to look at things in their simplistic form with disregard to other considerations. At the time I wasn’t sure it would work but now after much time and also the amount of heat generated through the line I’d do it all over again. I’ve had rubber pressure lines fail and frankly I’d rather a flex stainless line over rubber any time I find the need. It would be far more likely to leak at the flange then ever burst.

ws6formula said:
I have a natural gas flex line. This natural gas flex line is normally used for connecting a natural gas applicance (ie. dryer) to the natural gas outlet.
I am setting up an air compressor in my garage and need to connect the compressor hard line (mounted on the wall) to the compressor outlet. The distance from the compressor to the hard line is approximately 18 inches. I know I should use a flex line between the compressor and the hard line. I have read some posts where guys are using high pressure rubber lines with the proper fittings. I checked at home depot and could not see a 1/2" rubber line with 1/2" NPT fittings. Is it possible to use this natural gas flex line in the air compressor setup? I tend to think the best answer is going to be just get a 1/2" high pressure hose made at my local hose/hydraulics shop.

cvairwerks · Mar 27, 2020

Necro post of the month....Congratulations on reviving a 12 year old thread :wtf:

travisn1 · Mar 27, 2020

I used this, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KS6B9D8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Using a gas line for air compressor flex line

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