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Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 8:59 am
by Steve Stinson
Anybody have any experience running air compressor lines in your garage or shop? I am seeing a lot of information on line about not using pvc pipe for this purpose.
I have a compressor in the front part of my shop and need to get the air supply to the back (40' x 40' shop). I don't want to move my compressor to the back because we use it frequently to fill up whichever tire happens to be going flat at the time. The kits I see on line for this purpose cost a minimum of about $200, so it would actually be cheaper for me to buy a smaller second compressor than the piping kit.

The air supply I need in the rear of the shop is just to run an airbrush (painting top-secret fishing lures). :-D

Thanks in advance for any insight. - Steve Stinson

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 9:19 am
by doomtrpr_z71
My farm shop and home shop are both ran with PVC, it should be fine as long as its protected from UV light.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 9:44 am
by SCALAWAG
PVC works fine, my only suggestion is to use schedule 40 and not the thin wall and to secure it in place. I have three compressors that have been hooked up with it for over 15 years.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 10:39 am
by fishinfool
One of the auto shops I worked in used PVC for the shop air without any failures. I believe it was schedule 80 which is rated at 243psi, while schedule 40 is rated at 166psi. It might be worth the few extra dollars for peace of mind and durability.
If you are running pipe over a long distance(more than 20-30 feet), you might want to go with a larger diameter pipe. Probably 2" or more, this will help with stabilizing air pressure and volume in the system. If you are using any air tools like an impact gun or die grinder, they can deplete the compressed air supply rapidly, causing anything down stream to lose usable pressure.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 11:06 am
by Steve Stinson
Thanks guys. Looks like I will try the pvc approach first.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 4:34 pm
by edif
Make sure you use a piece of at least 300 psi hose from the compressor to the pvc bout 18 inches the vibration is what causes the pvc to fail . Experience talking.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 4:46 pm
by BillytheKid
I would use schedule 80. Just make sure you clean and primer the joints and you will be good to go.

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 5:54 pm
by Steve Stinson
Will do on both. Can you buy sch 80 pvc at Lowes or do I need to go to a commercial supplier?

Thanks for all the help. - Steve

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 2nd, 2018, 8:08 pm
by Blue spinner
I use PEK with crimp fittings
I think that is how it is spelled

Re: Air Compressor lines for shop?

Posted: October 3rd, 2018, 7:51 am
by BillytheKid