Plumbing a Compressor

KCM1582 · Nov 12, 2012

I finally got my CH VT6275 wired up and am starting to look at setting up an air system for it.

Right now I have a 3/4" flex hose from the compressor that drops to a 1/2" hardline into a DeVilbiss filter regulator. I have one outlet setup with the regulator and a 100 ft air hose, and I was thinking of using the other output to feed the rest of the system. Since I already have 1/2" piping in the system is there any advantage to running a 3/4"main with 1/2" drops, or should I just run everything in 1/2"?

I plan to mostly use regular air tools(impact, air hammer ect) occasionally painting, mabey some light sand blasting, and everything will be copper.

StaggeringGoat · Nov 12, 2012

1/2" should be plenty big enough for that useage...especially 1 tool at a time.

Al Bundy · Nov 12, 2012

Have you considered PVC? :lol_hitti

Black pipe is more highly recommended and lots cheaper than copper. HD will thread it for you for free.

Kevin C · Nov 12, 2012

Why not PVC?

Yes... I'm kidding.

Falcon67 · Nov 12, 2012

Ma, cut a switch off that tree - let the beatings begin. :lol:

1/2 inch line over about 100' would have maybe 1% loss, so 1/2" should be plenty good for everything.

KCM1582 · Nov 12, 2012

You know PVC might work.

kidding, however one associate at Home Depot did recommend it. :spit:

With how little I will actually need, the lower cost of black iron pipe is quickly lost in the more expensive connectors and having to go back to the store for custom cut pieces or renting a threading tool.

Thanks for all the input

Falcon67 · Nov 12, 2012

I put all mine together with stock fittings. A little planning goes a long way. I changed shops, pulled out all the piping and used it recently in the new shop. I only had to buy a couple of pieces and that was going from a 20x24 to a 24x40. Not a custom cut in the bunch.

KCM1582 · Nov 12, 2012

I tried planning it out as best I could but the inside dimensions of my garage just wont work, it's 23 feet and a few inches square so custom lengths are a must.

Slick111 · Nov 13, 2012

Just ran 65 feet in my 20 X 30 shop 22 feet along two walls with 8 double outlets with 43 feet up the wall and along the ceiling to a reelcraft down again to a main door outlet only had to cut & thread one pipe my local steel supply guy did it for 1 dollar per cut & rethred it can be done with planning and a tape measure.

StaggeringGoat · Nov 13, 2012

Last time I looked, copper and steel pipe weren't that much different in price. They both have their advantages - anybody that tells you one is better than the other doesn't know what they are talking about. In industrial applications, you will find both.

Plumbing a Compressor

KCM1582

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StaggeringGoat

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Al Bundy

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Kevin C

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Falcon67

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KCM1582

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Falcon67

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KCM1582

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