Compression tubing

[czechsonofagun]

I was not sure where to ask, if out of place, my apologies.

Anyway, messing with nice old Sears compressor and the part I have to replace is a piece of copper tubing 1/2" OD. So far I checked only Home Depot and they have nothing but I was able to find rings for the compression fittings there. Any idea where to look for the tubing? I need about 12".

 

[Egon]

Maybe try a plumbing store or steel supply store??

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

One type tube goes by ID and the other by OD. If it uses flared fittings, just flare it and use it. Adapt it to use flared fittings. You can get NPT to inverted flare adapters. I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish. Natural gas and butane/propane use flare fittings and they fit JIC hydraulic fittings. I use hardware store fittings when I take hydraulics apart on logging equipment in the woods. Just to cap and plug things.

 

[K5lwq]

Check a ACE hardware for 1/2 copper tubing.

 

[czechsonofagun]

One type tube goes by ID and the other by OD. If it uses flared fittings, just flare it and use it. Adapt it to use flared fittings. You can get NPT to inverted flare adapters. I'm not sure what you are trying to accomplish. Natural gas and butane/propane use flare fittings and they fit JIC hydraulic fittings. I use hardware store fittings when I take hydraulics apart on logging equipment in the woods. Just to cap and plug things.

I am trying to get the compressor running but this piece is bent and leaking and I have to replace it.

 

[Diggin It]

There are different grades of copper tubing based in part on pressure. Type L is used for gas, but at very low pressure. Not sure what you might need for compressed air.

 

[Menagerie-Manor]

I was not sure where to ask, if out of place, my apologies.

Anyway, messing with nice old Sears compressor and the part I have to replace is a piece of copper tubing 1/2" OD. So far I checked only Home Depot and they have nothing but I was able to find rings for the compression fittings there. Any idea where to look for the tubing? I need about 12".

1/2" od is a refrigerant size tube so any local AC company should stock, or Amazon sells short coils. "L" copper is fine for the application.

 

[B7510HSD]

Check NAPA

 

[LD1]

Soft copper tubing is at alot of hardware stores or box stores like Lowes, home Depot, etc

More important question, do you have tubing benders to bend it without kinking it. Tubing that size and the 90 degree bend most compressors have coming off the head and going to the tank....benders are almost a must.

Another old truck that works is wrap it tightly with wire or solder. Then bend and it won't kink

 

[4570Man]

Soft copper tubing is at alot of hardware stores or box stores like Lowes, home Depot, etc

More important question, do you have tubing benders to bend it without kinking it. Tubing that size and the 90 degree bend most compressors have coming off the head and going to the tank....benders are almost a must.

Another old truck that works is wrap it tightly with wire or solder. Then bend and it won't kink

I’ve heard of filling the tube with sand but I’ve never tried to know if it works.

 

[Diggin It]

I have the wound spring benders. Used one on 1/2" copper a couple of weeks ago and still kinked the tubing by trying to get it too tight. Looking in to one of the brake line type benders, but even those have a maximum radius.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

I am trying to get the compressor running but this piece is bent and leaking and I have to replace it.

Can you cut it at the bent spot and use a compression union? Maybe drive a punch inside it and straighten the tubing enough to get the union on?

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Small quantities of tubing or rod are easiest to find online. If you have a caliper, you can order an exact match.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Solder it up and use.

 

[ponytug]

I can say that for my compressor, the original tubing was hardened, not soft tubing. The original tubing got extremely warm, warm enough to have the copper change color. That makes me wonder about the longevity, and wisdom, of repairing the copper line rather than replacing it. FWIW: The copper line is available as a part for many compressors.

Personally, after fence sitting for a bit, I bought a name brand used die type tubing bender online as good ones were $$$ new. I didn't have much faith in my ability to get good angles using a spring bender for multiple sequential bends in 1/2"OD tubing. I wanted to build an intercooler for my compressor to reduce the amount of water going into the main tank. It works great, removing 95+% of the water, and some of the oil.

All the best,

Peter

 

[czechsonofagun]

Back in the day when we were building windsurfing gear we used sand to bend aluminum tubing, it worked reasonably well however the bend was very slight, more like an arch.

Anyway, got a piece of tubing from ebay and the compressor is running again. Love it. Two stage is so quiet. I added a ball valve and hooked it up to my air line system in the shop. Picture is not mine, found it on the internet.