Best Pipe for Compressed Air

[Junkman]

You can use a 4' rubber "whip hose" or purchase a piece of 1/2 hydraulic hose with 1/2" male pipe fittings on the ends for under $20 at your local auto parts store, 2 or 3 feet long. If you really want to go hi tech, you can get a rubber covered stainless steel wire mesh hose for big $$$$$. You should have some form of vibration dampening system to isolate the compressor from the lines. I would also suggest that you install a ball valve in the beginning of the line in the event that you have to shut the line down in a hurry. Watch the compressor for the first few weeks for any unusual oil consumption and after that it should be fine. Leveling isn't usually necessary unless your floor is way off. The compressor uses a splash lubrication system and it isn't very dependent on a exactly level oil fill. As long as you have the proper amount in the crankcase, it will be OK.

 

[Egon]

You could tie in with a pigtail If your able to make some loops with the tubing.

Egon

 

[Bird]

Bill, my compressor was not fastened down to the floor. Instead I left it on the pallet it came on, and the floor was level. It never moved a bit as far as I could tell in the several years it sat there. I had my filter attached directly to the compressor with just a short half inch nipple, then a 4' rubber hose from the filter to my rigid piping. The distance from the compressor to the rigid piping was only about 2', so instead of letting the hose loop down where moisture might collect, I had it tied up in the middle so that any moisture would have to drain either back down to the filter or down into the rigid piping right at the first drip leg.

 

[Henro]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I will certainly use a hose of some type for vibration isolation. I already took the compressor off the pallet, so I will bolt it to the floor.

The floor is not too far out of level, but it is a little...

Thanks again for the help! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[dbelisle]

Have fun with your air piping project.

I have installed Black iron and copper systems in many industrial buildings and they both work well.

Some of the advantages to copper , it is easier to install a tee or tap after the fact. And not everyone has treading equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I have been using a short length of hydraulic hose with a swivel coupling on one end between the air system and the compressor. I get them made up at the local truck shop.

It works very good , it is very flexible , good strength , and you can get it apart easy.

Good luck

/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[milkman]

Henro
Whatever you decide to use, DON"T order aluminum tubing, someone will think you're building a neuklear reactor.

 

[GerardC]

I built a manifold and ran rubber hose to the locations I need it most. When I go outside, I just unwind my extra hose, tap into the manifold, and I'm good to go.

 

[frank_f15]

a little late to this thread, but for compressed air i Strongly recomend BLACK IRON PIPE for the main runs, then u can use rubber hose for the drops with qiuck disconnects. also remember to pictch it properly and if needed use an auto drain to get rid of moisture if that would e a problem for u.