'Shop Air' Anyone got it installed?

[Kafer_meister]

We're hoping to add a compressed air 'ring main' to our workshop. It'll run off a 3hp/100ltr compressor initially. Has anyone here done this? What materials did you use for the piping/fittings? Which suppliers are any good? What sort of cost is involved? We'd want 3-4 'outlets', a decent filter and probably in the region of 15-20 metres of pipe.

Any help greatly appreciated

I didn't know if this was a brew room or tools and techniques thing, mods please feel free to move if it's in the wrong place.

Thanks
Jon

 

[tigler]

For small systems you can't beat this :-

http://www.johnguest.com/Home/applications/air-and-pneumatics/Air/Accessories/ALUMINIUM-PIPE.aspx

It's a complete system, pipe and fittings.

Easy to self install.

Or alternatively :-


http://www.durapipe.co.uk/Product/Detail.asp?BID=11

Slightly less convenient to use as the joints are assembled with solvent adhesive. Still a good system though.

 

[malcolm]

I reckoned it was a compressors thing

Is it a home or industrial workshop? The industrial ones tend to use steel and cast iron piping with all the water filtering done in the compressor room. I don't know what the rules and regs are. Home ones are less expensive and use the pipework as part of the water filtering system and regulators on each outlet (like this).

 

[Kafer_meister]

It's for an automotive workshop. We don't really get involved in car spraying or anything, so it's mainly to run air tools etc. Would be nice to get as 'clean' air as possible out of it though. I run a plasma, but that also has it's own filter built in.

 

[tigler]

Just use a filter trap on the compressor outlet then an FRL on each work outlet. That will take care of moisture in the system and lubricate air tools. If just air lines are also required at the work outlets then just add a port after the regulator but before the lubricator, that will provide oil free air blow off lines.
If you need any help with what to order or any 'how to do it's' I could drop over and help you out, I'm in Worcester too !
Compressed air isn't my living but I've had a fair bit of experience with it and have sorted a few installations for friends workshops.

 

[Kafer_meister]

Just use a filter trap on the compressor outlet then an FRL on each work outlet. That will take care of moisture in the system and lubricate air tools. If just air lines are also required at the work outlets then just add a port after the regulator but before the lubricator, that will provide oil free air blow off lines.
If you need any help with what to order or any 'how to do it's' I could drop over and help you out, I'm in Worcester too !
Compressed air isn't my living but I've had a fair bit of experience with it and have sorted a few installations for friends workshops.

That's a great offer, thank you. Our workshop is on Midland Road just by Shrub Hill. Would be great to meet you and pick your brains a little. Let me know when is convenient for you and we can sort something out.

Thanks again

 

[tigler]

Yeah, I know where that is. Should be able to sort something out for next week, will PM you when I know what the weeks doing.

 

[Stereophoney]

ah damn worcester shrub hill and your puff and steam railway

Sorry i seem to spent most of my nights up there fixing it

 

[Kafer_meister]

ah damn worcester shrub hill and your puff and steam railway

Sorry i seem to spent most of my nights up there fixing it

Our unit backs onto the railway there, I often see the Network Rail guys driving in and out of our yard.