Running workshop air - school me!

[whm_fab]

Hi Gents,

So im getting close to running compressed air around my workshop for everything from air tools like impact gun, die grinders, air saw etc to plasma cutter.

After trying to do as much research as i can (ive over-researched) and now im bamboozled with what setup i need in certain parts.

Few things i do know that ive settled on:

- - The main line around the workshop which will be about 40/50m will be 1/2" PEX (no not PVC before anyone has a heart attack)

- - The drops will also be 1/2" PEX

- - The fittings will all be PCL XF


What im confused about and what i need help with:

I'm totally confused about the threaded fittings and internal bore to suit certain tools, with BSP/NPT 1/4" , 1/2" etc etc.

I suppose my main query is the most fittings i see are actually 1/4" BSP. In theory does this make the flow advantage of running 1/2" pipe around the shop a waste of time? will 1/4" BSP fittings run say a die grinder or DA ? or do i need all 1/2" fittings??

Same with the regulator/drier at the compressor - most of them i see are actually 1/4" BSP fittings - again do i need to find a 1/2" reg to take advantage of my 1/2" supply piping?

Or, am i over thinking it and will 1/4" BSP run everything i require absoutly fine?

Thanks!!!

 

[HughF]

I'd run the whole lot in 16mm pex-al-ex underfloor heating pipe, use 16mm/1/2" wingback elbows and 1/2" Euro style fittings

 

[cheb]

I ran 15mm copper round my workshop, the threaded ends are 1/2" as that's what I could get, I couldn't find 15mm push fit to 1/4" BSP. I used John Guest black push fit fittings.

One suggestion from me is that you use safety couplings, I've gone for PCL ones. They release the air pressure and only then can you disconnect the fitting. Flailing air hoses are irritating.

https://www.pclairtechnology.com/pr...uine-pcl-couplings/safeflow-safety-couplings/

 

[Munkul]

I ran mine in MDPE blue pipe

If I was doing it again I'd use 16mm OD pipe and push fittings, we really rate the stuff installed at work for new installations. Most of it control air for valves etc in 6-12mm.

 

[JonE]

16mm pex-al-ex underfloor heating pipe

I'd use 16mm OD pipe and push fittings

I've been pondering how to run the air around my workshop, I was originally thinking black MDPE, just because I had some pipe already, but the fittings are bulky & relatively pricey..

This thread has just prompted me to order a sample length of 16mm pex-al-pex, and a few (alpex-plus) push-fit fittings to try out.

 

[HughF]

I really like the stuff because it bends and retains its shape so easily.

 

[willie.macleod]

If you see any new self builds then worth checking to see if they have any lengths, joins under the floor aren't the done thing so you tend to end up with a lot of lengths of surplus pipe which are likely to be free to take. As Hugh says it is nice stuff to work with.

 

[qwakers]

i ran mine in 15mm pe-x. is fine. has been for more than 15 years. (2 different garages...)

only thing id do different is run it in 22mm next time.

 

[James1979]

I've been pondering how to run the air around my workshop, I was originally thinking black MDPE, just because I had some pipe already, but the fittings are bulky & relatively pricey..

This thread has just prompted me to order a sample length of 16mm pex-al-pex, and a few (alpex-plus) push-fit fittings to try out.

Black alk is old and there are loads of different sizes. Getting fittings for it is a pain in the ****.

I did mine in blue alkathene pipe with push fits. Drops in copper 15mm as that’s 1/2 bsp which makes life easy. Went for pcl fittings at 1/2 bsp which went straight on.

also made a drier from a water filter which was also 1/2 so it was easy really

 

[Screwdriver]

All good info and useful to know what people are installing in their own workshops. Only comment I would make to the OP is in the deign stage, put any disconnects well away from eye/ear level and remember some humans are six feet tall or more.

 

[waldershelf]

My garage is piped up in 1/2" copper with 1/2" fittings all round user points are normal PCL type and I have virtually no pressure drop for the pipe runs and air volumes I use. Mine is a pretty standard double garage, if you are doing a larger workshop you need to do pressure drop calculations for the pipe runs and outlet consumptions you are planning. get it wrong now and you will end up really frustrated, there are calculators available online to help.

 

[James1979]

For interest....

 

[brightspark]

My garage is piped up in 1/2" copper with 1/2" fittings all round user points are normal PCL type and I have virtually no pressure drop for the pipe runs and air volumes I use. Mine is a pretty standard double garage, if you are doing a larger workshop you need to do pressure drop calculations for the pipe runs and outlet consumptions you are planning. get it wrong now and you will end up really frustrated, there are calculators available online to help.

bang a 22mm copper pipe round its good for cooling and good for 90cfm without loss

 

[whm_fab]

i ran mine in 15mm pe-x. is fine. has been for more than 15 years. (2 different garages...)

only thing id do different is run it in 22mm next time.

Why so??

 

[whm_fab]

Black alk is old and there are loads of different sizes. Getting fittings for it is a pain in the ****.

I did mine in blue alkathene pipe with push fits. Drops in copper 15mm as that’s 1/2 bsp which makes life easy. Went for pcl fittings at 1/2 bsp which went straight on.

also made a drier from a water filter which was also 1/2 so it was easy really

Hi james,

Thanks for the reply this sounds like what I'm looking to do. Could you post photos of your setup ? Especially where you adapted the PEX to copper and also the way you adapted the copper drop to the PCL outlet?

Thanks!

 

[James1979]

Will do in the morn. It's all off the shelf at the farmer supply. Just push fits in the blue pipe And the 3rd leg of the t i used a alk to 1/2 bsp coupling. Compression fitting from that to 15mms water pipe for the drop then compression fitting which gives 1/2 bsp again sounds a lot more than it is really. Just built with what I could get and what I had

Oh yeah, I did no calcs! Island engineering - use what ya got

 

[8ob]

Same as some of the above, hep20 at hi level with copper drops to backplate elbows with PCL`s screwed in. Blue mdpe buried all around the yard between buildings.

 

[James1979]

Same as some of the above, hep20 at hi level with copper drops to backplate elbows with PCL`s screwed in. Blue mdpe buried all around the yard between buildings.

Love those toolchests

 

[qwakers]

Why so??

higher flow rate. i have no issues of 15mm but more is always better, and it would give more overhead.

 

[Parm]

Same as some of the above, hep20 at hi level with copper drops to backplate elbows with PCL`s screwed in. Blue mdpe buried all around the yard between buildings.

your not making friends