Compressor piping or hose Question

[wawajake]

I figure all you folks with welders probably also have a garage compressor so I put my question here.
I recently upgraded my little 2 gallon oiless compressor to an 11 gallon one because I was given a bunch of compressor hand tools (impact wrench, air ratchet, chipper , nail gun) at Christmas. Now I already had a brad nailgun and had already installed a 50 foot compressor hose reel on the wall beside my electrical panel, with the actual compressor on a shelf below the hose reel . This reel lets me reach all over the garage and even outside. ..........but this new 11 gallon is vertical floor mount so when it is on floor it is short getting to the reel inlet by less than 24 inches...........so I actually just need a 24 inch long hose or a 24 inch long piece of pipe. For now I am using the 25 foot coil type plastic hose piping that came with the old 2 gallon compressor, But it is in the way a bit and I imagine I am wasting compressor pressure with the extra 25 feet.
I checked CTC and TSC store for short hoses, but 25 ft is shortest. What other options do I have to join the reel 1/4 inch npt to the compressor 1/4 inch npt........(right now it has quick connects at one end, I could do that at both if I found a short piece of hose supplier. But what if I just used a half inch piece of household copper tubing I have lots of leftovers of and solder a couple of 1/4 inch npt female adapter to it. Will copper handle 150 psi ? or is it better to find a piece of hose?
I hate to permanently lift the compressor up 24 inches because it is nice to have on floor and safely on its wheels.

thoughts ?

 

[kennyd]

Copper is great for air use, just stay away form PVC! But for your situation, I would get a hydraulic hose made up, it will handle the pressure and is readily available with the NPT fittings you need. A "rigid" connection from the compressor to the wall or hose real is not a good idea because of the vibration anyway.

 

[Shield Arc]

If I'm understanding your question correctly. Why not go to the hardware store, and buy some hose barbs, and hose clamps? Cut a short section of air hose. That's what I did at the after cooler for my shop air.

 

[Big Barn]

Here's what I did 35 years ago. Hydraulic hose with barbed, swivel pipe thread fittings clamped with Punch Lock tool. Still trouble free....







Terry

 

[wawajake]

So far all the descriptions describe making up hoses with tools I do not have , or solutions that would cost more than a 25 foot hose. But thanks so far...........maybe the Napa store can order me a short hose for under $20. I will check

 

[Mace Canute]

If there are any industrial hose outfits around (like Eriks for example) they could set you up with what you need. I know for a fact the guys at the local Eriks here could and would.

 

[Big Barn]

If there are any industrial hose outfits around (like Eriks for example) they could set you up with what you need. I know for a fact the guys at the local Eriks here could and would.

Also. Princess Auto. They also have short premade whip hoses but are probably only 1/4".
Terry

 

[CNC Dan]

So far all the descriptions describe making up hoses with tools I do not have , or solutions that would cost more than a 25 foot hose. But thanks so far...........maybe the Napa store can order me a short hose for under $20. I will check

Many NAPA stores can make up hoses. Ask around, not all locations offer that service.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I use the heavy duty braided clear hose and barbed fittings.

 

[Big Barn]

I use the heavy duty braided clear hose and barbed fittings. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/welding/416041-compressor-piping-hose-question-image-jpg"/>

Haha. Good choice Dave. I was just using some this afternoon. Here's a photo with a 'miscalculated' piece. Terry

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Terry, I have that pliers for automotive cv boot clamps, where did you get your small clamps?

Standard at parts stores?

 

[Big Barn]

Terry, I have that pliers for automotive cv boot clamps, where did you get your small clamps? Standard at parts stores?

Dave, I don't know the name of the clamps, but I get them in bulk from my local industrial hydraulic supply. I think they're quite common. For your clear braided hose you need #13 for 1/4ID , #14 for 5/16ID and #15 for 3/8ID.

I'll look in my Acklands Grainger catalog tomorrow unless someone else knows what they're called.

Terry

 

[Scrambler82]

I used high pressure rubber hose for my whole system.
Use barbed fittings with 3/4" hose clamps.
No leaks in over 1o years of use.
No need to get a hose made up, buy enough hose and cut it to size and the same store should have the barred fitting too.

 

[Big Barn]

I'm not the safety police and I'm certainly not one to tell anyone what to do but....

I have a friend who worked in an auto body shop recently where a geared hose clamped fitting on an air hose let go. The sharp edges of the clamp fortunately missed his face but cut up his arm and leg bad enough to put him on permanent disability.

Similar systems installed properly and operating at lower pressures may be okay but I can't say for sure.

Terry

 

[Scrambler82]

I'm not the safety police and I'm certainly not one to tell anyone what to do but....

I have a friend who worked in an auto body shop recently where a geared hose clamped fitting on an air hose let go. The sharp edges of the clamp fortunately missed his face but cut up his arm and leg bad enough to put him on permanent disability.

Similar systems installed properly and operating at lower pressures may be okay but I can't say for sure.

Terry

Then the shop did one of two things or maybe both...

One - use the wrong size fitting for the hose being use. The barbed fitting should hold the connection by itself, the clamps are just a safety added thing.

Two - tightened the clamps,too tight. If the screw type clamp is tightened too much they will cut the hose, defeating the Barbed fitting and a screw clamp can be twisted and break. I have seen the screw clamps on radiator hoses cut through the hose and leak... all in proper install.

Again, over 10years with no failure, ran 175 psi in system without problems.

 

[wawajake]

I was wondering if folks were using the typical hardware store geared type hose clamps....but I see there are risks.
I did not see any comments about soldered copper fittings on half inch copper pipe.
It is not like it will be a solid cionnection because at both ends it would be attachinh to hose which would be loose so vibration not an issue. (reel has short hose coming it off it to connect compressor end to and compressor has short hose (quick connect) for tool or reel connections to come off ............has anyone fed their garage with copper soldered pipe ? If they have then obviously good soldered connection can handle 150 psi ....thoughts

 

[Shield Arc]

Copper is the way to go, if you can afford it. When I built my first inner cooler for my shop air system, the rolled copper tubing is good for 600-PSI.

 

[Scrambler82]

I was wondering if folks were using the typical hardware store geared type hose clamps....but I see there are risks.
I did not see any comments about soldered copper fittings on half inch copper pipe.
It is not like it will be a solid cionnection because at both ends it would be attachinh to hose which would be loose so vibration not an issue. (reel has short hose coming it off it to connect compressor end to and compressor has short hose (quick connect) for tool or reel connections to come off ............has anyone fed their garage with copper soldered pipe ? If they have then obviously good soldered connection can handle 150 psi ....thoughts

I used the the brand that was sold by the store I purchased the barbed fittings, they appeared a little wider.
Dont over tighten.

Copper Pipe / Soldering... Too much trouble, equipment to solder, then you still need to hang the stuff.

check out the copper pipe psi rating, if the pressure is ok for your compressor and you want to solder all the connections... go for it.

 

[Big Barn]

Then the shop did one of two things or maybe both... One - use the wrong size fitting for the hose being use. The barred fitting should hold the connection by itself, the clamps are just a safety added thing. Two - tightened the clamps,too tight. If the screw type clamp is tightened too much they will cut the hose, defeating the Barr fitting and a screw clamp can be twisted and break. I have seen the screw clamps on radiator hoses cut through the hose and leak... all in proper install. Again, over 10years with no failure, ran 175 psi in system without problems.

I didn't see the setup personally, but I suspect you are right.

Terry

 

[George2615]

TSC has 1/4" NPT hose ready made in short lengths. Also have other sizes available. They will work for your air compressor.

CountyLine® 1/4 in. x 36 in., 5,000 PSI Hydraulic Hose - Tractor Supply Co.