Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Dec 19, 2004 01:28am | #1

   Steel or copper are fine.  Never, ever use PVC or similar materials for compressed air.  When PVC breaks, it shatters into shards.  Under the energy of compressed air, the fracture will progress explosively and send shards all over the place.

   If you nick, bump, or damage it, it will shatter.  Also, various solvents will soften and deteriorate the plastic.  When you compress air, you also compress the solvents in the air.  If they puddle in the line or work the plastic under pressure their deteriorating effects can be enhanced.

1. 
   Manny | Dec 22, 2004 08:24pm | #2

   Thanks a lot! I will do it with steel.. any size would you recommend? 1/4,1/2?..??

1. 
   ProBozo | Dec 22, 2004 09:19pm | #3

   i use 3/4 for main lines (unless extremely long, then 1")1/2 for drops off the main to outletssome industrial you see run a 2 or 3" main line down center of shop, this gives added benefit of extra compressed capacity (think of 3" dia by 150' long, that's several gallons. but that is expensive and harder to installgo with steelbe sure to slope all horizontal runs slightly to a trap/drain...for drops, go UP, then a "U" back down....this keeps condensed moisture from running down the mainline and falling into the drops

1. 
   Manny | Dec 22, 2004 10:57pm | #4

   THanks very much for your ideas on the steel pipes, however I don't quite understand the "U" portions..

   Is it too much to ask to make me a drawing and email it to me?

   [email protected]

   Thanks!

   Manny

2. 
   WayneL5 | Dec 28, 2004 05:48am | #5

   I've been offline for the holiday.  The piping size depends on the air draw of your tools.  If you are using the normal tools of a home shop and are not going 75 or 100 feet, then 1/2" would be fine.  If you have some high draw tools, like a paint sprayer, or are running a commercial operation with more than one tool in use at at time, you'll need larger pipe.

   The U thing mentioned previously meant that when you come off a horizontal run, come off the top of the pipe and then, if you need to go down, form an upside down U with fittings then go down.  This reduces, but does not eliminate, moisture and dirt from dropping into the vertical lines.

   Before you hook up your first tool, blow out the piping from every connection to remove dirt from the lines.

1. 
   Manny | Dec 28, 2004 07:26pm | #6

   Now I get it! Thanks for your imput! I will get that little project started and get rid off my messy hoses ....

   Manny