Shop Air Compressor set up questions?

[lostcreekranch]

Steel pipe looks so much nicer in a shop then plastic, but I'm sure the plastic delivers much cleaner air in the long run. In my shop, I had a tough time sealing up 1/2" black pipe joints. A prefer teflon tape but probably should have used dope. If you have a large air system, it's important to keep leaks to a minimum. I have a small ball valve on every coupler as they all seem to leak a bit.

But ...... the plastic pipe (Rapid Aire / Max Line) seems to resolve many issues associated with steel pipe;

Rust / corrosion

Time to assemble / modify / update / improve.

Leaks

IMHO, the above should make plastic very cost competitive with steel pipe?

I think, with some care and proper support brackets, plastic can look as neat as steel ........ unless you prefer rusty over blue?

 

[Ortimber]

I used Rapidair in my shop and love it. I highly recommend it. Not a great picture but I think it looks pretty good hanging on the wall.

 

[ultrarunner]

I used Rapidair in my shop and love it. I highly recommend it. Not a great picture but I think it looks pretty good hanging on the wall.

View attachment 531272

Clean shop... are you in the business of selling tractors... the shine really stands out.

 

[ovrszd]

What blue pipe, all I saw was that green tractor!!!

Your air system looks fine to me!!!

 

[Big Barn]

I've been pricing out a bunch of options for air distribution.

Here in Canada.... I cant get the 1/2 maxline system.... I'd have to ship it across... which funny enough makes the 3/4" maxline system cheaper for me, cause it can ship from the west coast of Canada.

cost wise I cant do better then normal pex... after that its a bit of a toss up between black iron pipe and the rapidair systems

Have you tried an industrial supply shop that carries hydraulic hose/fittings? Perhaps a Greenline dealer? I plumb all my lines in copper but all the industrial places out here carry one kit or the other.

I have the same problem as you. Most everything I need has to be shipped FROM Eastern Canada (or USA).

 

[Al 2]

Just more general info about compressors. There are numerous discussions about using some types of plastic for air lines if anyone is not sure what to use. The other comment is that my shop is not heated all the time and can get to -30* F or whatever and I don't want my compressor coming on at that temp. For this reason and also if something happened to the compressor when I wasn't there I have it hooked into my shop lights with a rely so that it will only start when the lights are on. It's a 220 volt motor but the relay is connected to the 110 volt pressure switch I think. Don't ask how. My electrician did it. Also I had a 110 volt air valve so this is on the outlet of the compressor to keep air leaks to a minimum at the outlets and therefore the compressor is not running that often. I operate this valve remotely via a key fob and wireless adapter from Home Depot for about $35. Key fob is mounted near light switch so I don't loose it. A very small LED light is wired in also to let me know if the air is on or not. Hope this makes sense.
Al

 

[dmccarty]

Depending on size of your closet, an old school incandescent light bulb can generate enough heat to keep area above freezing.

That was my thought except that multiple CFLs work as well. I used to heat our well house with incandescent bulbs but they were short lived so I would have to run multiple lights with low wattage so there would be heat when bulbs burned out.

I replaced our well house with a big fake rock well cover but I first built a box out of 2 inch thick rigid foam board by using lag bolts and washers. It works pretty danged good. I now use CFLs and have up to six of them running, which might get to 100 watts. Maybe.

The last couple of days the high temperature has been in the 30's and we are getting a few days of lows in the 20s so I went out and checked on the well house last night. Should have done it in the day but that is another story. Anywho, the temperature last night was about 30 when I checked the well house. I have an instant read thermometer sticking through the top of the insulated box so I can lift off the fake rock and see temperature in the box. It was 62 degrees inside. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Pretty danged good considering there might have been 50 watts of CFLs providing the heat. I turned on another couple of lights just because it was going to start getting colder. One CFL was burned out so I will have to check the well house in a few weeks and replace it.

One poster had the good suggestion of using a 2x6 sill plate and staggered 2x4 wall studs. This is a standard approach to sound deadening and a good idea. There are other things one can do as well, just search the Internet. Mounting a couple of inches of rigid foam on the walls will help insulate the "box" and make it easier to heat.

Later,
Dan

 

[aczlan]

Or, use a mini heater (like: Amazon.com: Lasko #1 MyHeat Personal Ceramic Heater: Home & Kitchen ) and a freeze cube (such as: Amazon.com : Farm Innovators Model TC-3 Cold Weather Thermo Cube Thermostatically Controlled Outlet - On at 35-Degrees/Off at 45-Degrees : Electrical Multi Outlets : Garden & Outdoor ).

Aaron Z

 

[BLSXJ]

I'll have to make the "what pipe" decision in the new year. I'm leaning towards the Rapidair Maxline 3/4" kit, with one extra tee and outlet, but the exchange and shipping make it a hard pill to swallow.

my current dilemma is the closet size. the owners manual "asks" for 18" of clearance on all sides..... my current plan only allows for about 9" on three sides.

Besides annual oil changes... and the rare belt change what else should I worry about? if the compressor or motor go.. there is tons of clearance above the unit.

I've added some pictures to help show whats going on.... I'm hoping to add the compressor to the back corner of the shop

 

[lostcreekranch]

I'll have to make the "what pipe" decision in the new year. I'm leaning towards the Rapidair Maxline 3/4" kit, with one extra tee and outlet, but the exchange and shipping make it a hard pill to swallow.

my current dilemma is the closet size. the owners manual "asks" for 18" of clearance on all sides..... my current plan only allows for about 9" on three sides.

Besides annual oil changes... and the rare belt change what else should I worry about? if the compressor or motor go.. there is tons of clearance above the unit.

I've added some pictures to help show whats going on.... I'm hoping to add the compressor to the back corner of the shop

View attachment 531876View attachment 531877

Have you ever considered building your “closet” on outside of your shop? Do you do woodworking where a whole shop dust collector might be in your future? Both compressors and dust collectors are big noise makers.

Having your closet outside would free up additional space in your shop? This could also increase maintenance acces as well.

My shop is too big ........... said nobody.