Thread: PVC for shop air lines

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There have been some good discussions on The Garage Journal board on the subject of using plastic for air lines as well as alternatives.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ight=Air+Lines

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ight=Air+Lines

Also, some good general info on air lines and design here:

http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm

if your going to use it get sch 40 /600 psi . i have it in this shop 12 yrs, last shop 13 yrs and the shop before 10 yrs. i have never had a failure. but i also see no reason to run more than 80 lbs of air pressure.

I went with something like this. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...5476_200415476
I can't remember the brand name, but it's safer than PVC yet relatively cheap compared to copper, and flexible to run around the shop. If I was planning on using my big compressor regularly(i.e. more than once in a blue moon) I'd go with the copper setup.
I just got this stuff with visions of maybe painting the truck myself when the it is ready!

Actually here is the starter kit I got.
http://www.rapidairproducts.com/

Or theres this one www.garage-pak.com

Wow !!!!!! I just checked out that "Rapid air system.
What a rip-off.
Over $800 to do just a 3 bay shop
My shop is over 3000 sq ft, ran all the air lines in 1 " copper,outlets
every 10 ft all around, plus plumbed 2- 80 gal compressord and the spray booth and only spent around $300 in pipe, fittings ,drains etc.
Less than 8 hrs and it was done ( over 250 soldered joints)

I worked in a big shop that used it. We never had a problem and it was easy to modify. But still I never trusted the stuff, wouldn't do that in my own shop.

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Wow !!!!!! I just checked out that "Rapid air system.
What a rip-off.
Over $800 to do just a 3 bay shop
My shop is over 3000 sq ft, ran all the air lines in 1 " copper,outlets
every 10 ft all around, plus plumbed 2- 80 gal compressord and the spray booth and only spent around $300 in pipe, fittings ,drains etc.
Less than 8 hrs and it was done ( over 250 soldered joints)

Kit I bought costs 139.00 now, and less last year. It has a hundred feet of line.
One kit did everything. When I priced copper it was 11.99 per 10 ft length, then there was all of the elbow fittings and adapter pieces(significantly more. 100 ft copper pipe alone would cost 119.99, not to mention fittings, etc, and time to assemble vs. solder joints. If I had a professional shop, yeah copper would be what I bought, but for home, weekend use the kit I mentioned is cheaper and easier to install. A good alternative to copper at about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost factoring in time and materials. Steve.

I have it in my shop, And never had one problem... Like shine said they are good for 600psi ... Just don't trip over your hose in pull it off the wall..

I install air lines for body shops & industrial for a living.
PVC has NEVER been approved for air.
PVC is not approved for anything above ground. Even water.
The problem w/ PVC is it will shatter as it ages. Take a new piece of PVC & it bends very easily. Strike it with a hammer. In most cases, it will flex.
Now take a piece & either leave it in the sun or stick it in your 110 degree garage for a year. PVC has no UV protection & drys out above ground.
Then try to bend it. It will break & shatter. Hit it with a hammer. It will shatter like glass. Now picture those shards flying at you when that 80 psi line fails.
Urban myth? I've seen the results when PVC fails.
Copper or black steel is what we use.