Compressor metal pipes and set up.

[Weldinator]

Ive been told via a heating engineer that for air pipes, galvanised steel pipes should be used for air supplies rather than copper. With this in mind, im thinking steel would be far cheaper/stronger than copper and they can be died for fitment.

For my small garage set up im planning on fitting some pipes in a step system from low to high to reduce water build up etc. What have others here done to build their own set ups and what did you use to connect the pipes together, did you flare or die the pipes ?

My compressor will be a max of 150psi 10 bar when i buy that one that is, my current one is 14cfm, 3hp direct drive 50 ltr. It will be used with air tools and painting, short spells of painting/tools though.

What would be the recommended thickness of the copper and steel pipes for the above compressors ?

I'm also im going for 1/2 inch sizes all round, so what would be the recommended tube size for my set up, i thought 15mm would be the ideal size.

 

[rtbcomp]

I've used 15mm copper from Wickes at 10 bar without any problems. Use 1/2 inch BSP threads on your regulators &c, 15mm compression fittings have 1/2 BSP threads.

 

[Premiershipman]

15mm copper is what I have round my garage and my compressor is the same spec (3HP 150L 10Bar).

Shady

 

[Shox Dr]

Use Hep2O or similar, far cheaper than Steel or Copper, faster and easier to fit.

 

[Piero]

Have a quick look hear if you have not allready

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/air-system.htm

 

[Fazerruss]

toolstation sell compressed air pipe and fittings in black plastic. It looks just like the speed fit plumbing type stuff.

 

[eil]

Use Hep2O or similar, far cheaper than Steel or Copper, faster and easier to fit.

I know you have done it and had no problems Shox, but they don't recommend it for compressed air though.
http://hep2o-uk.wavin.com/hep2o-uk/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html
If that is the ones you are referring to.

 

[MattF]

Ive been told via a heating engineer that for air pipes, galvanised steel pipes should be used for air supplies rather than copper. With this in mind, im thinking steel would be far cheaper/stronger than copper and they can be died for fitment.

You'll never reach pressures on a standard compressor system where using copper would be an issue. It's an old school train of thought on the whole iron vs copper thing. Either will do the job. Copper tube is supplied in different grades of hardness though, if I recall. Can't remember what the term for it is, offhand, but there is a half-hard, (not annealed), copper pipe which is likely more suitable for compressor setups.

 

[brightspark]

22mm copper is the best to use if u want to pipe up in a fixed system. a good unrestricted flow and good heat dissipation . i cant be bothered and use a large bore flexible hose and a water seperator on both ends

 

[Weldinator]

Thanks for the replies, good info too.

Im thinking steel pipes would be cheaper yet give me no worries with strength, in case i get the wrong type of copper too.

Ive found a place that sells steel pipes and will call them sometime next week to check prices out. My step dad Mick has plenty of attachments and elbows etc. The long flexible plated pipes on the compressor tutorial going to the copper ones i couldn't find anywhere. After speaking to my step dad and him showing me all of his collection of them, they are just plumbing/boiler pipes. I thought compressor accessories shops/places would sell them but they dont.

I would need to get special elbows though, maybe costing more cash if i used 22mm pipes. Ill look into it and ask Mick if he has any spare, he should have with sheds full of bits

 

[rtbcomp]

The long flexible plated pipes on the compressor tutorial going to the copper ones They're a bit of a luxury really, any flexible air hose will do. You only need steel braided pipes if you're connecting them to the pump rather the tank because of the heat.

Steel pipes can corrode on the inside, whilst copper ones don't.

 

[dannyp]

i've used copper and blue plastic water pipe.

blue plastic is be be best bet for covering distance as it's cheep but fittings are quite pricey but then again it bends round corners . so ive just Teed off where i want outlet and used copper for that.

its running upto 150 PSI and dealing with huge amounts of air at times 150 CFM continus is not uncommon

 

[madkayaker]

You might struggle to find steel pipe that's small enough as it probity starts at 1 1/2 bsp. It will be stronger than copper but it might be more expensive as its a more specialist plumbing part. Also you need a stock and die to thread it and hemp and glue stuff to join it (have used insulation tape when pushed!) I used 25mm blue water pipe for mine as its quick and easy to install or for a nice looking job use copper as many others have done.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd certainly use plastic for outside runs - won't get nicked by pikeys.

 

[MattF]

I've always been wary of using owt plastic outside, personally. Its UV resilience ain't exactly great, and the prospect of fragile plastic several years down the line ain't a compelling one. As you say though, it's a lot less appealing to thieves.

 

[rtbcomp]

Good points Matt, the plastic I use is that braided airhose, been OK for a few years so far.

White plumbing plastic should be avoided, apparently if it's knocked whilst under pressure it can shatter and form sharp shards.

 

[pedrobedro]

All the plumbed in air pipes and steam pipes in the last place I worked were steel and it has been running for 50 years with only new piping added to the old when it was extended. The compressor there now is a massive hydrovane in a room sized case and it is almost silent.

 

[Weldinator]

Once ive researched the copper and steel pipes ill decide then, i think copper maybe the best all round option. All the other bits and bobs i'll need i can get from my step Dad, just need to buy the pipes. It will be fitted inside the garage, so no worries about them being taken.

Some good points so far, thanks for the information and tips etc.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

From the tutorial on this forum, I was under the impression that copper was better for moisture/air separation than steel?

 

[tigler]

You only need steel braided pipes if you're connecting them to the pump rather the tank because of the heat.

Depends on the type of braided hose. Some of it is just normal rubber with the braiding, which won't be any more resistant to heat than any old hose. The braid does not contribute to heat resistance.
Only the correct type of NBR or EPDM rubber will have a high continuous temperature rating. For the outlet of a compressor pump, if a flexible is needed, stainless steel convoluted hose is the best thing to use.