Black pipe or galvanized for shop air lines?

[8N Ren]

I work in a very strict industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing, everything mechanical in the plant is inspected by outside firms, as well as fda and health Canada, you can get shut down for infractions that cost millions sometimes. Because of this they don't want any water or rust in the air system, behind the scenes there are water traps and filters as well as in the manufacturing rooms. The only thing they install and use is 3/4" copper. Been there for 10 years and never seen one fail. I'm buddies with most of the millright mechanics and asked them one day if there's ever been a problem with the copper, they all said no. One of them did copper in his own little shop and loves it.

 

[kennyd]

In today's world, I would look into PEX as well. It is flexible unlike pvc making installation quick with fewer fitting to possibly leak. When I built my home I used Kitec which has a layer of aluminum sandwiched between the plastic that when bent, it stays. Copper is so expensive and inferior for water lines today.

Call any of the PEX manufactures and see if they approve their products for use with air/gasses under pressure.

 

[superpickle]

I used truck air brake lines in my pole barn. Can withstand temp extremes and super easy to work with. Plus I used push to connect fittings so I can change and put drops wherever I want. Drops all over the shop make it nice. And was plumbed in a short time.

 

[jenkinsph]

I can easily work with any of the materials mentioned so far and have all the tools to do this. Every thing considered I would go with copper tubing using L hard (in 20ft straight sticks). Having soldered joints instead of threaded or crimped connections will reduce the chance of annoying air leaks. I agree with others though about using the simple air hoses as needed, so I would not get carried away with a bunch of air line piping you may never utilize. Maybe a couple of well placed drops on a larger home shop.

 

[the old grind]

Copper doesn't eliminate water but allows it to be passed along, say to a filter that may not last forever. Fine for hospitals, labs, etc that are heated year-round, but pole bans & workshops aren't always so.

Water in an air system is increased by heavy use, by having a compressor's air intake in a humid vs well ventilated location, or by seasonal climate variations. There will always be some moisture in compressed air. Draining the tank regularly can reduce the size of the puddle at the bottom of it vs depending on traps & separators downstream.

What works for someone in Arizona might not be the best plan in Washington state or New England. YMMV, as always.

I agree with others though about using the simple air hoses as needed, so I would not get carried away with a bunch of air line piping you may never utilize. Maybe a couple of well placed drops on a larger home shop.

I second that! :thumbsup: Gotta know when 'more' isn't always 'better'...

 

[Clint S]

I used black pipe as well. Not so much to get air where I needed it, as a rubber hose on a reel does that, but to control moisture. I did no go crazy just ran it across the ceiling 24 feet and down to the regulator/water trap and my hose reel. After doing this my water issues went down to almost bill, I just drain the tank every month or so depending on use. Water trapped in the compressed heated air needs a chance to cool before it will come out and either get caught in the trap or run back into the tank.

 

[dgeesaman]

I used 3/4 pvc when I built shop 16 years ago.Run 175 lbs air pressure constantly as compressor is always on and have yet to low an airline.Air is used everyday without a problem.lots cheaper and easier to work with,

And extremely prone to shattering is subfreezing temps, IME.

I used black steel / iron pipe.

 

[bcp]

Use air hoses and tees, instead of pipe, but fastened around the walls, not lying across the floor to trip, snag, and tangle.

Bruce

 

[kennyd]

I used truck air brake lines in my pole barn. Can withstand temp extremes and super easy to work with. Plus I used push to connect fittings so I can change and put drops wherever I want. Drops all over the shop make it nice. And was plumbed in a short time.

That's a great idea :thumbsup:

 

[jejeosborne]

Call any of the PEX manufactures and see if they approve their products for use with air/gasses under pressure.

One quick example of what I described.

Industrial Compressed Air System | Compressed Air Piping System | Compressed Air System for Business