Advice about fixed workshop piping

[James87]

Have just got keys for our new unit, have a 250ltr Clarke 3 phase compressor and a 16amp 150ltr Clarke. Supply for both is there. I'm wanting to run both in (tandem I think) so the smaller comes on when the larger one is struggling during high demand jobs.

What size and type of pipework am I needing as looking to sort this as priority

Unit is 25m long and want 4 pcl female fittings along the wall that I can connect up to. Piccy attached.

 

[brightspark]

depends on what you are running it in. also are you going to make it a ring main round the building

 

[James87]

depends on what you are running it in. also are you going to make it a ring main round the building

Was planning to go down just the one side with an outlet at each block pillar (there is another not in the picture.

And no idea what to run it in or what size

 

[brightspark]

Was planning to go down just the one side with an outlet at each block pillar (there is another not in the picture.

steel or copper ???id use 22 mm or 25mm

 

[MetalMonkey]

It depends a lot on what you are going to be using them for as BS says.

Seems a pretty small installation in all honesty, I've got ten regulated outlets in my home workshop - but that's for the convenience of not having trailing hoses everywhere.
If you are going to be using four die grinders flat out 24x7, its going to be a different specification to just occasionally plugging in a windy gun.

As a starting point I would suggest a ring main, that way you can add take offs easily if your requirements change. I really like the John Guest airline stuff, they do an aluminium version for more commercial installations, but if you want a really robust solution it will be black pipe - however, that will be a lot more effort to install.
I would think 28 or 22 ring with either 22 or 15 drops would be sufficient depending on the size of the regulator (if any) you are using. Don't forget to allow for drain points and slope on the pipework.
Have you also considered retractable hose reels?

 

[James87]

It depends a lot on what you are going to be using them for as BS says.

Seems a pretty small installation in all honesty, I've got ten regulated outlets in my home workshop - but that's for the convenience of not having trailing hoses everywhere.
If you are going to be using four die grinders flat out 24x7, its going to be a different specification to just occasionally plugging in a windy gun.

As a starting point I would suggest a ring main, that way you can add take offs easily if your requirements change. I really like the John Guest airline stuff, they do an aluminium version for more commercial installations, but if you want a really robust solution it will be black pipe - however, that will be a lot more effort to install.
I would think 28 or 22 ring with either 22 or 15 drops would be sufficient depending on the size of the regulator (if any) you are using. Don't forget to allow for drain points and slope on the pipework.
Have you also considered retractable hose reels?

Retractable hose reels could work. Mostly will be used for windy guns, air drill in some cases and plugging in plasma cutter, will be a paint booth going in at some point which I'll likely feed separately.

Was planning on drops halfway between each pillar. If using copper would theh need to be sweated or can compression joints e used

 

[armalites]

If you've got 3ph would it not have made more sense to buy a big Hydrovane? You wouldn't have need two compressors

 

[James87]

If you've got 3ph would it not have made more sense to buy a big Hydrovane? You wouldn't have need two compressors

My 250ltr died part way through a job so had to go and buy another the same day(bloody machine mart) so I'm stuck with the two for now unfortunately.

 

[brightspark]

wouldnt use retractable hoses they reduce the cfm flow and retain moisture turning in to water and sits in the coil

 

[Bornfree]

1" galvanized sloped towards the rear with a drain leg each side. And drops in 1/2" galvanized, face the tees upwards and put a 180° bend off the tee to drop down. This helps to keep moisture in the main line.

 

[Brad93]

Sod the piston compressors get a hydrovane or similar! So much quieter. Once you’ve had one you’ll never go back.

 

[brightspark]

Sod the piston compressors get a hydrovane or similar! So much quieter. Once you’ve had one you’ll never go back.

its all down to price and availability i have 3 piston comps and a screw comp

 

[James87]

..

Sod the piston compressors get a hydrovane or similar! So much quieter. Once you’ve had one you’ll never go back.

I don't have a spare 2k right now its definitely on the cards when it comes to replacing one in the event of one dying though

 

[Brad93]

..



I don't have a spare 2k right now its definitely on the cards when it comes to replacing one in the event of one dying though

yeah they are spendy! Definitely do it when the time is right.

we done our workshop in ¾” aluminium pipe which is wrapped in a blue plastic and goes together with plastic fittings. One leak so far.

 

[brightspark]

if you were getting a hydrovane it would have to be low hours because spares and servicing would cost a packet if worn

 

[armalites]

wouldnt use retractable hoses they reduce the cfm flow and retain moisture turning in to water and sits in the coil

That really does depend on the unit. I have 3, one has an 8mm hose and it runs everything fine. I have one that has 1/2 BSP fittings on it and the only thing restricting the flow is the PCL XF fittings as they have a smaller bore than the hose.

I understand the moisture concept but I've had retractable units for 20+ years and never really found it an issue.

 

[brightspark]

That really does depend on the unit. I have 3, one has an 8mm hose and it runs everything fine. I have one that has 1/2 BSP fittings on it and the only thing restricting the flow is the PCL XF fittings as they have a smaller bore than the hose.

I understand the moisture concept but I've had retractable units for 20+ years and never really found it an issue.

moisture will pass through air tools but not good on blasting and spraying

 

[8ob]

Cracking workshop James, can’t comment on air size but I have 3/4” with 1/2” drops all around the place and never run short on supply. You can always add a receiver at the end of the line to increase capacity.

Bob

 

[brightspark]

Cracking workshop James, can’t comment on air size but I have 3/4” with 1/2” drops all around the place and never run short on supply. You can always add a receiver at the end of the line to increase capacity.

Bob

and will also help cooling. i use one not for extra air mind

 

[MetalMonkey]

In an industrial installation I don't think I would use copper personally. It makes a great condenser, but I would be concerned about it getting damaged in a busy workshop, especially if there are other people working there.
It might also be worth checking to see if there are any rules and regulations - not the sort of thing you bother with as a home gamer, but could be a whole tin of worms there.

we done our workshop in ¾” aluminium pipe which is wrapped in a blue plastic and goes together with plastic fittings. One leak so far.

That sounds like the JG stuff, there is a Blue Nylon plastic version and a blue plastic coated aluminium version. They use push fit fittings and are dead easy to install and amend.

wouldnt use retractable hoses they reduce the cfm flow and retain moisture turning in towater and sits in the coil

The cheap ones are quite a narrow bore, but if you go with the proper commercial grade ones they take large bore pipe and won't be restrictive.
If a water trap is fitted prior to the reel and a drain leg and there shouldn't be any water getting to the hose.

I've found the best thing is to build a condenser, which can be as simple as a few lengths of metal pipe, gets rid of 90% of the water at source before you feed into the ring main.
Water traps on my regulators are always bone dry now.