Ya'll ever do copper lines from your air compressor?

[EdGasket]

Guys,
I just posed a video of me installing my new air compressor with copper lines. Anyone have any long term feedback with Copper (L)?

Check my video of instal. Lead free solder. Hope it holds lol.

 

[didit]

Hey Ed, really enjoy watching your videos. Very entertaining.
It's almost a year that I have been using my compressor with the 3/4" type "L" copper lines. No problems whatsoever.
Edit: I copied my setup from someone that has been using his for 30 plus years, trouble free.

Word got out about your plans of a sandblaster addition. Take a look at how I set up my air supply lines in my install.
Here's the link: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8339976&postcount=129

 

[Steve W.]

Not exactly "long-term", as I have only had the lines up for about a year, but I installed 1/2" Type L. Four sections, joined by unions. Four drops, each with a ball valve upstream of the quick-connect (which is on a T) and another ball valve below the T to act as a drip leg.

Had a few small leaks when I installed it, I think I only had to re-solder 3 or 4 joints. When verified to be leak-free, I painted it to match the shop color scheme. Walls and ceiling are white, most cabinets are black with stainless tops. Air lines got painted a dark metallic gray.

Pictures will follow (along with my build) when I get my site set up for photo hosting.

.

 

[twistedstang]

At my old house I had 1" type L copper ran through my garage. It will last longer than I'll last. I'll be doing it again when I build my new garage this summer. I used 1" because I had plenty of leftovers after a job. (Pipefitter by trade)

 

[Modern Garage]

I've had 1/2 inch copper in a working auto shop for over twenty years. It was in place at least ten years when I moved in and moved it from the wall to the ceiling with drops and coiled hoses. 3/4 maybe would be better for flow if you're using a lot of volume, but I can't tell any difference from one end of the shop to the other (fifty feet) with usual air tools. I have a section of braided hose between the compressor and the copper to prevent damage from vibration work hardening/cracking.
Joe

 

[shoot summ]

I've had 3/4" L in my garage for almost 10 years now, no issues.

 

[gorilla]

I worked at a company that had 9 buildings on about 50 acres. We probably had at least 20 miles of copper air plumbing. No problems at all. I know that some of it was in place for 37+ years.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had all copper lines (3/4" feeders with 1/2" drops) in my last shop for over 25 years. When I first built the shop in early 90's I just had copper from the compressor to the workbenches, then as time went on I added here and there as the need arose.

When I built my new shop in 2017 I was considering going copper but I wanted a lot of drops and the shop is nearly 3x the size of my last shop so the cost was almost as much as going with the new aluminum 1" (25mm) piping and compression fittings so I went that route.

In all of our shops at work we have used copper exclusively and most have been here since mid-80's.

 

[Nicks garage]

Guys,
I just posed a video of me installing my new air compressor with copper lines. Anyone have any long term feedback with Copper (L)?

Check my video of instal. Lead free solder. Hope it holds lol.

Nice, I used to be a heating engineer so have spare copper, I have been thinking of doing this and ordered the few bits I don’t have, I have commented and subscribed because you have given me the nudge to get it done

 

[TommyK]

Copper done right is the gold standard IMO.

 

[EdGasket]

Hey Ed, really enjoy watching your videos. Very entertaining.
It's almost a year that I have been using my compressor with the 3/4" type "L" copper lines. No problems whatsoever.
Edit: I copied my setup from someone that has been using his for 30 plus years, trouble free.

Word got out about your plans of a sandblaster addition. Take a look at how I set up my air supply lines in my install.
Here's the link: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8339976&postcount=129

WOW. That setup is awesome. I would also like to set up a line for blasting and painting. I might steal your plans!! Thank you!

 

[dkroth]

I've had 3/4" type-L copper in my 3-car garage and down into the basement for 22 years now. Four drops. It remained pressurize for most of that time.

About two years ago one of the quick disconnects in the basement started seeping. I've been too lazy to replace it so I just turn the compressor off when not in use. It bleeds down over the course of 3 days.

I used lead based solder. I keep meaning to ground it, too.






.

 

[Craig Balzer]

I'm planning the same in my garage: that is - Type L Copper air lines.

But -- a few questions.

What size? The above postings talk 1/2" and 3/4" diameters. zmotorsport combined both.

I assume that size of the pipe is driven by the size of the compressor (how much PSI) and how far the air is to be moved. AND -- the functional use of the air. In my case the air will be used to run pneumatic tools (1/2" and 3/8") but mostly to power a media blast cabinet (to be used for car restoration projects). The cabinet will be 20' - 25' from the compressor. The longest run (to a drop for air tools) will be 100-120 feet.

I haven't bought the compressor yet so I am not "locked in" a set PSI.

School me.

PS -- should the copper pipe be polished and then coated with clear to avoid green piping in future years?

 

[twistedstang]

1/2" would be fine for 99% of home shops. The larger the pipe size, the further you can go between supports plus a little added volume.

To keep the copper from getting green, keep a 5 gallon pail of water and a rag handy. Once the joint is set but still hot, give it a good wipe down with a wet rag. Will look great forever.

 

[rixtrix1]

Every shop I've worked in over the last 40 years has had a copper air line system- no problems, I did some short exposed runs in my tiny garage: air, water softener in/out and softener flush drainline. Polished them all up with superfine scotchbrite and clearcoated with rattlecans. Still shiny after 20+ years: maybe 35 feet, total.

 

[Wrench97]

Shop I work in has had 3/4" & 1/2" copper installed since the mid 60's no issues.

 

[nadogail]

Copper done right is the gold standard IMO.

I agree without reservation.

 

[kaymccampbell]

My copper air lines have been under pressure for 35 years. No problems.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The problem with copper today is that it's so darn expensive, add to that the options the exist now that weren't around 30-5on years ago and it can be a tough sell. It's a great way to go no doubt but gluing together PVC is so much faster.

 

[kaymccampbell]

The problem with copper today is that it's so darn expensive, add to that the options the exist now that weren't around 30-5on years ago and it can be a tough sell. It's a great way to go no doubt but gluing together PVC is so much faster.

You trying to start a flame war?

 

[didit]

The problem with copper today is that it's so darn expensive, add to that the options the exist now that weren't around 30-5on years ago and it can be a tough sell. It's a great way to go no doubt but gluing together PVC is so much faster.

Depends on what the usage will be. I used plastic for 40 years before redoing my lines and going copper. I had a need to cool the air as much as possible and remove as much moisture as I possibly could before moving the air downstream to desiccant filters and moisture bottles, thus preserving/prolonging the consumables used in my system.
Its all good, if PVC works for your needs.

 

[welder4956]

The problem with copper today is that it's so darn expensive, add to that the options the exist now that weren't around 30-5on years ago and it can be a tough sell. It's a great way to go no doubt but gluing together PVC is so much faster.

 

[allinon72]

We use copper in a commercial setting (car washes) and very rarely have an issue, even at some that are approaching 40 years old.

 

[PhantomEB]

I recently put in 3/4” copper from Home Depot into my garage. Air fitting ever 4-8 feet over 2 24’ walls. Will be doing a loop over to the other wall as well adding in a reel in the middle of the ceiling.

All my buddies especially my mentor has said they want to do similar.