More air questions

[Mr Fro]

I've been inspired by the recent thread about "hard wiring" air supply. My compressor is now in the other side of the workshop and out from under the bench which is great!

I've run 22mm copper up the wall and below the joists to a drop down near my benches. Total run is around 7m. I used 22mm for the highly technical reason of that's what I had.

The questions I have now are regarding connections: My tank had 3/8" thread so I'll get a full bore 1/4 turn valve for that but how do I connect it to the 22mm copper? Chop a bit of air hose with some bayonets?

Next up is the regulator/drier - I've got a small 1/4" one kicking about somewhere. Is this good enough or should I be looking at something bigger? I'm not in to blasting or anything but would like to future proof myself.

Finally air hoses. What's a reasonable size? I've got a scabby 8mm plastic thing now so I'll be getting something nice and flexible probably 10m long. I'll be running the usual suspects - ratchet, impact wrench etc.

I'm mindful of adding restriction and undoing the point of the large bore copper or am I over thinking things?

Cheers,
Fro

 

[rtbcomp]

If it's a permanent installation I'd use hose tails rather than "bayonets" they're cheaper and let more air through. I prefer a short length of hose to absorb vibration rather than connecting the copper permanently, especially if the compressor is mounted on rubber feet.

I'd go for a 1/2 inch regulator minimum, if for no other reason it'll be easier to connect to your copper pipe, reduce to 15mm near the reg. and use a compression fitting. 15mm compression fittings have a 1/2 inch BSP thread. A 1/4 inch reg will be too restrictive for an impact gun. Fit the reg near where you use the air, not on the compressor.

10mm ID hose minimum.

 

[Mr Fro]

Thanks for that - I've seen whip tails - are they the ones?

I'm not connecting copper to the tank as I've only got a small compressor at the mo and will likely upgrade in the future.

I'll get a 1/2" reg on order along with some 12mm hose then. For connectors, I've seen PCL XF - are these the best to go for and are there only one size (i.e. 1/4")?

I really appreciate the info! :-)

 

[rtbcomp]

Whip tails tend to be used at the tool end, hose tails are the bits with a thread on and a barbed bit to grip the hose, used with a Jubilee clip &c.

http://www.thehosemaster.co.uk/bspt-hex-body-steel-hosetail

I'm not familiar with the PCL XF connectors, so I'll pass on that!

 

[Cobbler]

I've recently bought some PCL XF fittings to replace some ornery PCL ones & found them quite cheap in Screwfix, a lot cheaper than MM anyway.

Edit, just reading Rtb's comment, they are a higher flow rating than standard ones. If you blow through them, there is definitely less resistance to them as the bore is bigger. I got them for my windy gun. If I was setting up I think I would use them but make up an adaptor to convert between the two in case I wanted to borrow some other tool on the standard ones. This is what I've done as I have both types at the moment. I hope this helps.

 

[armalites]

I think what rtbcomp means is don't use a quick release at all in the fixed piping ie the flexy link to the compressor itself. You will need quick release for the other end though

 

[knighty]

anyone used plastic pipe for building air installations ?

I've got some I want to do soon... 20m run up high along the wall then about a 3m drop down to the air connections for use, probably 6 connections


seams a shame to buy all that copper... and 'proper' plastic air pipes are just as expensive.... found some john guest plastic pipe that's supposed to be good for 150 psi working pressure (I run 120psi)

 

[rtbcomp]

Rigid "plumbing" pipe may not be suitable, some types shatter if knocked when they're under pressure.

 

[Mr Fro]

Gotcha, thanks chaps. I'd probably make a right hash up without you lot. :-)

Nice website rtb - plenty of choice there.

 

[Mr Fro]

Spot on Mr Fuzzy - your plans sound freakishly similar to mine.

I'm hoping the reg is reversible as it'll be mounted on the side of a pier - don't really want the hose side facing the wall if I can get away with it.

Are you not planning on putting a shutoff valve at the tank?

 

[rtbcomp]

Regs have an inlet and outlet, you can't swap them. If you have a combined reg/filter you must mount them vertically with the bowl at the bottom.

 

[Mr Fro]

I've got one or two that have gauge ports front and back so they can be mounted with outlet to the left or right. I didn't mean sticking the feed in the outlet!

 

[rtbcomp]

LOL - you never can tell

 

[Mr Fro]

Guess I'm lucky in that respect - I made a steel storing rack and left a good bit of space underneath for the genny, compressor and stuff. I ordered all the bits anyway, so we'll see how it pans out if I remember to collect it all tomorrow.

 

[Mr Fro]

All the bits turned up today - the reg is reversible so good stuff there. The 1/4" nipples have quite a small bore but a rummage through my miscellaneous fittings box turned up some larger bore steel jobbies I forgot I had.

Only problem I have is I don't have the 22mm to 15mm solder reducers - must have used them up on the central heating . Ah well, trip to Ridgeons tomorrow then.

I'm not convinced in the 1/4 turn valve either - apparently suitable for high pressure gas but states max 5 bar on the valve itself...

 

[Mr Fro]

All done.

The flow is soooo much better than the built in reg and skinny lines. The outlet from the tank is a bit jiffy - a spade load of plumbers mate has done the job for now.

Total cost excluding the copper was only £68 - worth every penny!

Only downside is I'll now have to get a higher capacity tank to make the most of it all.

 

[awemawson]

anyone used plastic pipe for building air installations ?

I've got some I want to do soon... 20m run up high along the wall then about a 3m drop down to the air connections for use, probably 6 connections


seams a shame to buy all that copper... and 'proper' plastic air pipes are just as expensive.... found some john guest plastic pipe that's supposed to be good for 150 psi working pressure (I run 120psi)

I have hundreds of metres of 25 mm blue MDPE water pipe distributing air around the farm. Much is buried in trenches between buildings but I also use it exclusively to distribute air around the metal shop, welding shop and woodwork shop. Never had a problem with it, and it is so easy to modify / move / re-allocate.

 

[knighty]

ohh, I didn;t think I'd be able to fine decent adapters for 25mm MDPE pipe... but googled quick after you sugested and and thise would work well for me... EBAY LINK 20mm instead of 25mm, but 20mm should be more than enough for me :-)

 

[awemawson]

Yes those are the termination fittings that I use (except 25 mm) - basically a 'tap wall plate'

Really there should be a 'drain drop' going past the wall plate but I dry my air at source