Compressed air distribution...

[YoungPUP]

Im starting my winter ritual of doing some type of upgrade in my garage. This year I've decided to run shop air to a few points so I don't have to drag a d@mn hose all over.  Any suggestions or ideas? Ive seen the kits in Northern tool etc, but am a a fan of the cheap, so 1/2" pvc comes to mind, as does bulk 1/2" truck air line with the push on fittings.

[Michvalk]

They make a system like that. You cut to legnth, and push on connectors. I thought it seemed reasonably priced, but, can't remember the name. If I think of it, I'll post it

[Challenger]

I used 1/2" PVC pipe, cheap, quick and easy, 10 years and no problem. Just make sure the drops are secured the wall good.

[flamingobabe #44]

hg ran 3/4 in steel pipe.  Used 3/4 in to cut down on line resistance press drop.  All the piping was run on a slight grade,and anywhere the line goes 'up', it also tees down with a collector and a valve to drain condesation.  Ended up with 7 outlets plus a 50' retractable hose reel at each end of the shop.  Also put an oiler on one outlet to lube the mc lift and airtools.   

[Patrick]

I use 3/4" plastic with 1/2" drops.. Just secure everything well and keep it away from fire.. We had a fella torch through a drop and the air blew the fire back at him,, burned the hell out of him,, so I built guards around the lines..  If you use a paint gun,, I coil a length of 50ft of soft copper mounted vertically with a drain in the bottom of the coil..

[hubcapsc]

The Department of Labor & Industries warned consumers and employers in May 1988 that plastic-polyvinyl- chloride (PVC) pipe cannot be used in compressed air piping systems without risk of explosion.

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/HazAlerts/902.asp

Often we are asked about the use of PVC piping systems for use in compressed air transmission or testing. Our response has to be a thunderous - NO!

http://www.lascofittings.com/supportcenter/compressedair.asp

-Mike

[FLAVALK]

The Department of Labor & Industries warned consumers and employers in May 1988 that plastic-polyvinyl- chloride (PVC) pipe cannot be used in compressed air piping systems without risk of explosion.

http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/HazAlerts/902.asp

Often we are asked about the use of PVC piping systems for use in compressed air transmission or testing. Our response has to be a thunderous - NO!

http://www.lascofittings.com/supportcenter/compressedair.asp

-Mike

Be careful when using plastic. I personally know of a case where a pipe burst and a shard impaled a guy. It didnt kill him but he was in a world of hurt for awhile.

[Daniel Meyer]

Yeah, that's the problem with PVC in air systems...if it ruptures it throws shrapnel. Even if you accidentally pull on a fitting and break off a pipe, it will generally shatter.

[Robert]

Quite a few shops I have seen have sch40 pvc and while I have used it and have had fittings break pipes break I have never been hurt by it. The usual pressure for shop air is 125 to 175 psi considerably higher than most home system that run at usual highest 115. If you are concerned about the pvc route then just use another larger pvc pipe as a conduit and put a board between 2 beams and have the air connection going through the center. The other solution is just run the pvc through the beams and have a board over it. As long as its shielded its ok but really I wouldn't worry about it. You can just run regular air hose around and anchor it to the walls but I would do the pvc route.

[Master Blaster]

I have use PVC in my shop for years.   This is in a good sized shop, 40X60 with 18 ft sidewalls.   No problem at all, but I do shut off the compressor when not in use.  I even made a water trap out of PVC that I run the compressor output line through.   Very quick, cheap and effective.

[JimC]

I have used PVC in my shops for almost 20 years.

BUT,

I will not use it anymore. The main reason is IF the PVC blows, it sends plastic shrapnel like said above. That in itself is a problem, but an even LARGER part of the problem is that IF it blows, and a person receives pieces of shrapnel, there is no way to find out where it is in the body, an X-ray will not show the PVC. YOu could have small pieces lodged in your body with only time telling where.

I have decided to use copper in my new garage.

JIm

[bscrive]

Do yourself a favour and get one of these.  They work awesome.

http://www.toolsource.com/iqv20-liion-impact-wrench-battery-p-129003.html

[Jeff K]

I ran 1/2"copper it's easy to work with

[POPS 57]

I have ran lines for a couple of shops.  Now i live Minnesota and it gets cold. I have ran 3/4 copper soldered with silfloss because if you know silfloss if it looks good it is. So inslulate and sheetrock and i have no worries that its going to work. Now with all that said in my new shop it willl be the new wisbow stuff. Because it can take a freeze and not break.

[Red Diamond]

If you should use PVC, use hot water PVC, the pressure value is higher.

[Valkpilot]

I have use PVC in my shop for years.   This is in a good sized shop, 40X60 with 18 ft sidewalls.   No problem at all, but I do shut off the compressor when not in use.  I even made a water trap out of PVC that I run the compressor output line through.   Very quick, cheap and effective.

The problem with PVC, whether Schedule 40 or 80, is that it fatigues over time and becomes structrually unsound.   Infrequent use could extend its lifetime for a long time, but it's still a potential bomb in your shop.

[da prez]

 Also, when you do your wall quick disconnects, a 45 degree is better than a 90 as the hose pulls down and the 45 relieves the strain a little. Keep the disconnects short as possible to avoid using them as a hanger.
  just my $.02 worth (b-4 taxes)
                                                       da prez

[sugerbear]

i just bought a 100 ft roll from harbor freight. (goodyear).
put it on a hand reel, mounted it on the wall by the compressor.
short(6ft)hose from the compressor to the reel. works for me. 

[Jabba]

Add another vote for NOT using the PVC.  It'll take the pressure, but like others have said, the decompressing gas causes the shards to be shrapnel. 

Do yourself a favor, and spend a little extra to do it right.

Jabba