Pipe for air compressor??

[woodguy1975]

Originally Posted by Splinter

Ummm,,,Interesting product.

Has anyone here used this product?

I'm an engineer and have installed a number of large manufacturing lines. We used this kind of tubing system all over them. It is great and super easy to install and reconfigure. The 1/2" is good up to something like 15 CFM. If you need more flow than that you can step up to their Aluminum piping system for the main runs or just use black iron, copper, or whatever. You can buy the tubing and fittings from vendors like Air Components or Mcmaster Carr, but pricing it out component wise for what they provde rapidair is a very cost effective solution. Those Aluminum headers are a fraction of the cost compared to what I could find from other suppliers.

Good Luck,

John

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by Alan in Little Washington

Who doesn't recommended grade L for compressed air lines?

Here is what the Copper Tube Handbook says:

"Compressed Air—Use copper tube of Types K, L or M determined by the rated internal working pressures as shown in Table 3. Brazed joints are recommended."

Since 3/4" grade L is rated at 700 psi and 1/2" almost as much, I don't see why not! And you don't have to braze it either. See my earlier post for the link.

All my 175 psi air lines are grade M copper.

Alan,
Page 20 of the Copper Tube Handbook only has compressed air for use with Types K & L.

[Alan in Little Washington]

Originally Posted by JimmyC

Alan,
Page 20 of the Copper Tube Handbook only has compressed air for use with Types K & L.

I guess it is how you read it- on pp 20, compressed air is not listed (might have been an omission), under grade M, but nowhere does it say that it should NOT be used for compressed air, in fact my quote from the handbook says the opposite. As I said in my first post the working pressure rating of grade M far exceeds the requirement.

The only possible disadvantage (not a danger or hazard) with the thin wall grade M, it that it is easier to puncture- easier than grades K or L, but it is NOT EASY to puncture. You will pierce any of the grades if you put a nail or drywall screw into them.

You can mix grades and switch between drawn and annealed if you have a situation where it is easier to bend it rather than use fittings.

Frankly, for suitability, ease of use, availability of pipe and fittings at local vendors, and cost, grade M is the only way to go IMHO.

[JimmyC]

Alan,
It sounds good to me. I picked up, through CL, 20- 1/2" x 10' lengths for $40 so I will use it and some 3/4" for main headers. The longest run that I'll need is about 60', so I'm hoping that it works. But either way I'll be running 3/4" for the heavy use air tools.

Thanks.

[JimD]

The rapidair system looks good to me. Have to think about it for awhile but possible Christmas request. I have been wanting hookups on both sides of the shop instead of having to run a long flexible line across the shop and I also would like to put a drop in the other garage. I used the calculator of their website to check airflow. They say you can get over 10cfm at only 40 psi through 100 foot of their 1/2 hose (3/8 id). They calculate over 25 cfm at 150 psi. My compressor will only supply about 5 cfm so I think it should be big enough for me, even with more drag from the flexible hose.

Jim

[Alan in Little Washington]

Originally Posted by JimD

The rapidair system looks good to me. Have to think about it for awhile but possible Christmas request. I have been wanting hookups on both sides of the shop instead of having to run a long flexible line across the shop and I also would like to put a drop in the other garage. I used the calculator of their website to check airflow. They say you can get over 10cfm at only 40 psi through 100 foot of their 1/2 hose (3/8 id). They calculate over 25 cfm at 150 psi. My compressor will only supply about 5 cfm so I think it should be big enough for me, even with more drag from the flexible hose.

Jim

Since my compressor is at garage level and the piping for my second floor shop runs along the garage ceiling, it was easy to put a drop in the garage with a regulator to fill bicycle and car tires.

[woodguy1975]

Originally Posted by JimD

They calculate over 25 cfm at 150 psi. My compressor will only supply about 5 cfm so I think it should be big enough for me, even with more drag from the flexible hose.

Jim

You'll love the install. They even give you the cutter for the tubing. All you have to do is cut and push in... done. I honestly tried to price out the system from parts via Mcmaster Carr and Air Components and couldn't match their price. The nice thing if you want to do something special you can always buy components to suite you need since everything is standard pushin fittings.

Good Luck,

John