Copper or black pipe

[flyinverted]

O.K. what is the experiences and recommendations for piping a shop for the air compressor? I know not to use PVC and M copper. I have heard some say that the black pipe is "dirty" on the inside and will rust overtime providing for some unwanted nasty stuff for your tools and beautiful paint job.

Jonsey

P.S. Len thanks for the CD. I have not had a chance to see the entire program but at least I have a face or maybe that's a beard to know you by.

[dadspackard]

I would like to hear some feedback on this too. Since I will be piping mine up soon.

Thanks

[Phil V]

I have been using the same black iron pipe for the last 23 years with absolutely no problems. Keep in mind that with any piping you will have a water filter/trap/regulator at the end before the flexible hoses are connected so no particles will end up in the air hose anyway. Even with a perfectly clean stationary air line there will be debris/particles coming out of the air compressor tank.

[NY-BOSSMAN]

I Used 1/2 Type L Copper For My Personal Garage Use ,i Used About 50ft In Total

[dave_demented]

in my home garage and where I used to work we used copper...

[Mooch]

Does it ever end ? Black pipe is good enough for gas lines in trailers that sit exposed for years .

I have been using the same black pipe line for many years and have had no rust no problems at all .

Mooch

[RonBYell]

I have about 30'-35' of 1/2" black pipe in a long, backward c form then down to filter/dryer and outlet.

[dadspackard]

I bought myself a Sharpe Filter and this diagram came with it. So do you all slope the pipe away from compressor or towards it?


http://www.sharpe1.com/sharpe/sharpe...+Piping+Layout

[Mooch]

I think guys do it both ways here . I have always sloped it away from the compressor so it drains into my traps and I can drain each one if needed .

This has worked well for me for over 40 years .

I always figured if i get water out the compressor why put it back in .


Mooch

[Serge]

If you have some black pipe already simply use it...its just more difficult to install. I have a 3/4 copper as the main loop with 1/2 in drop. Main loop sloped towards the compressor. Actually, sloped towards the refrigerated dryer...both compressor and dryer are auto drain so sloping it to there insures all is drained automatically. But with a refrigerated dryer there is no water in the system passed the dryer so all water is concentrated at the compressor.

I used flexible copper (the thickest one) and its pretty convenient to make long hauls without a joint. Fast, but copper is getting expensive.

The other thing to consider with copper is that you should use lead free solder as joints made with it has a higher pressure rating.

[dadspackard]

I will be starting from scratch. So what ever is easiest and best for me I am opened for all suggestions.

My runs are going to be 2’ vertical from compressor, 90 el, 8” horizontal, 90 el, 13’ horizontal, 90 el, 12’ horizontal, 90 el, then I have 15’ of run which in there I will do the drop for the Sharpe Filter and Drain leg. How does that sound?

I am wrapping it around the new garage since the recommend length is 25’ unless you all think I can get away with just the 13’ of horizontal run? It would be cheaper if I can get away with just the 13'

Thanks

[Bob K]

If you are content with trial and error you can see what you can “get away with”. For example I get away with none. I have my rubber hose hooked into my compressor tank. It works for me but I do not live in a hot humid place so there is very little water to deal with. I did install a 90 degree elbow in the bottom of the tank and put a nice ball valve on it so that I can drain the tank very easily. I have found that a quick blast of air does not remove much water though. I like to purge the tank of compressed air, and then leave the valve open. It is surprising how long water will run from that open valve. It can take five minutes to let a pint of water drain out. I have a horizontal tank with the drain hole in the middle of it. If the drain hole was at the end of the tank I could tilt the tank a little and drain it faster.

If your tools are getting wet at the exhaust port then you need to do more for water removal. If your exhaust port is dry, then you are doing enough. The acid test for me is sand blasting. My compressor runs the most when I sand blast a large object like a truck frame. A little water will really muck up a sand blasting operation.

Bob K

[dave_demented]

speaking of getting seeing what you get away with... the school bus garage i worked at had probably 300ft of rubber hose going up the side of the shop, over all of the rafters in the ceiling and then coming back down to power their tire machine....

[dadspackard]

If your tools are getting wet at the exhaust port then you need to do more for water removal.

Bob K

Yep that is the problem I would have when I would run a little die grinder. This is why I bought the Sharpe and will be installing runs of pipe.

Thanks all for your help on this one.

[wisconsinjimmy]

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