Let's talk compressed air

[Jeff V.]

I need some input. I've finally gotten fed up with not having access to my air compressor. It's jammed in the back of the garage behind my old truck engine, among other assorted junk.

There's a big void space on the one side of my garage where the HVAC ducting comes up out of the basement. My plan is to knock out some drywall and move the compressor into that space. There's no power in there, but it's close enough to the back wall that I can run a short extension cord for now. That's all easy enough for me to do.

I want to buy some of this stuff to run lines across the ceiling and up to the front by the doors.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... iping-kits

I'm thinking a hose reel between the two garage doors so I can run a hose outside for tires, or between the two spaces inside the garage. I also want a quick connect in the ceiling near the middle so I can hook up air tools.

What I need to figure out is some upgraded fittings and accessories. I don't know what I need as far as a line dryer or anything else. I also need a recommendation for some good quick connect fittings. The parts I have now leak pretty badly from the quick connect portion of the fitting. The threaded parts are fine.

If you guys have any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them.

[DCIV]

I keep the seals on my quick connects oiled and none leak. They also apparently have different sizes and then universal ones. I try and get the same.

Other than that I don’t have anything to add, I would also love a ceiling drop down as mine is hung like a garden hose and often gets in my way.

Coop

[Jeff V.]

There's a ton of good info here. Looks like they also have some project builder tools as well.

https://www.rapidairproducts.com/technical-faq

[DCIV]

When I ran line from my air compressor to My garage I had to use rubber line as everything was already in place. I’m sure it will last 20 years. But I’m mad I couldn’t have mental.


Coop

[Jeff V.]

Is your stuff inside the walls or on the surface?

This kit is stupid cheap. I think it's nearly everything I need.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools ... _200367525

I need to measure, but my napkin math says I only need ~50 feet of tubing. I'll just need a few additional fittings and clips for mounting it.

[ChargerX3]

I have a neighbor who ran the whole thing via traditional PVC pipe. Its held up fine for several years now. That would be a nice cheap investment.

Pics of garage situation?

[DCIV]

Ran mine through the trusses. It’s all inside.


Coop

[Jeff V.]

Everything I've read says PVC is a dangerous choice. It's brittle and it breaks down in the presence of things like compressor / air tool oil.

No pics at the moment. Maybe later.

[Chris GTO TT]

Strange most professional shops have pvc runs for their drops from a larger central compressor. It's usually pressure rated for 300psi and holds up well to most things :d ontknow:

[Jeff V.]

The kit I'm looking at is flexible HDPE.

There's nothing wrong with plastic tubing. It's PVC specifically that's not recommended.

https://www.hoseandfittingsetc.com/our- ... compressor

https://www.cp.com/en-us/compressors/ex ... air-system

[ChargerX3]

Yea, i was a little shocked that he was using it, but it seems to work good enough. If you were using it daily I would recommend another route for sure. Occasional use though might not be a terrible choice though.

I've been contemplating something like this for my garage as well. Although I think I will go all copper just for looks. Might even polish it all up. Only problem I have is my compressor is sitting between the two bays and isn't in a permanent position, so its just the long flexy line for now.

[Jeff V.]

I honestly don't think I could do PVC any cheaper once you factor in all the fittings. The RapidAir kit is pretty tough to beat for the money.

Copper would look cool. I just worry it would discolor over time. I also don't feel like trying to solder joints a few inches away from drywall.

[DCIV]

There are different sizes of pvc schedule 40 and 80 I think. I agree that pvc should not be used it’s not made for pressure. But the thicker stuff would be fine.


Coop

[Chris GTO TT]

Huh interesting on the pvc. I was also looking at the rapid air kit because my compressor is in the alcove the water heater was supposed to go in, but we have a tank less heater. It's out of the way but I'd like to have the hose reel in the center of the garage... 2 years later and I still haven't done anything :d oh:

[Jeff V.]

Getting back to hardware...I guess I don't need a regulator since my compressor has one built in. It also has an auto-shutoff at 150 psi.

So coming straight off the compressor, I guess I'd want a ball valve for maintenance shutoff, and then a tee. One end would go to a quick connect where I could keep a short coil of hose for odd jobs, and the other end would go out to the main branch in the garage.

I'm just not sure if it's worth incorporating any kind of filters or dryers or even an aftercooler. I don't foresee ever painting with this setup. It'd be nice to not be blowing a bunch of wet air into car tires though.

It's out of the way but I'd like to have the hose reel in the center of the garage... 2 years later and I still haven't done anything

That's right where I'm at. I've been screwing around with enough leaky tires lately that I've finally hit my breaking point.

[DCIV]

I have been wanting to put a regulator and dryer on my side of the garage for a while as I only want like 20psi when pressure testing it 15 for powered coating and 100 when sandblasting. I’m changing mine all the time.


Coop

[ChargerX3]

I would put in a dryer. Saves any of your air tools as well from condensation.

[vr4]

[quote=""Chris GTO TT""]Strange most professional shops have pvc runs for their drops from a larger central compressor. It's usually pressure rated for 300psi and holds up well to most things :d ontknow:[/quote]

I've never worked in a shop that uses plastic of any kind. It's either been copper or iron.

[Jeff V.]

Here's the situation I'm working with.



My only real problem is getting underneath or above that stupid I-beam that runs the width of the garage. I need to see how flexible the hose is.

[ChargerX3]

Can you run it on the East wall until you get past the steel beam? Then run it across the ceiling?

Or put the compressor at the south center little wall between the 2 bays? The further you get that noisy thing away from any shared interior walls the happier your spouse will be.