Source wide bore flexi connection between compressor tank and air main

[Wildefalcon]

I'm planning out the air main for my new workshop, the plan, based on nothing much, is to go with the widest easily available pipework, and the John Guest 28mm aluminium pipe looks reasonably affordable.

Quite possibly massive overkill, I accept, but I don't want to be struggling to run a spray gun and air fed mask. I'm running two 3 hp compressors, one old school Ingersol Rand, and one semi decent Clarke, so should be able to supply enough free air to do this.

So that leaves a few problems, but the one that I'm struggling with is how to go from the compressors to the air main?

I think the standard fittings coming out of the tank are too restrictive, and was thinking of removing the large bung and using that to connect to the main, but I can't seem to find a large enough flexi hose. The biggest I can see is 22mm, and I can see no point in connecting that to 28mm pipework, might as well stick with 22mm.

Or is it a case of going to pirtek and asking for something to be made up?

Am I overthinking this?

 

[rtbcomp]

For a short length of flexi from the tank to your pipework 22mm will be fine. The resistance to air flow is a function of length x diameter.

Removing the bung and fitting a union there is a good idea, my Clarke compressor came with that arrangement as standard.

 

[Wildefalcon]

Should I put a lever valve somewhere between the tank and the air main?

Just thinking of being able to isolate either compressor, should i need to.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd put one on each tank, then you have the option of running 2 compressors + 2 tanks, 1 compressor + 1 tank or 1 compressor + 2 tanks

 

[armalites]

You really don't need to go to 28mm pipe for what you are doing. My 130CFM road compressor only runs 3/4 hose. Even some 1/2 or 3/4 braided PVC hose will be more than man enough and you can buy all the fittings and pipe for pennies.

A PCL XF 1/4 BSP coupling can flow 130CFM @100PSI and it has a bore of 7.4mm so i don't think you will have an issues.

If you go to Pirtek wear two pairs of pants because they pull one of them down for sure but their air hose is some of the nicest hose you'll find anywhere

 

[gordon stephenson]

There are lots of flexible stainless hose with a reinforced woven stainless covering, All sizes and lengths. We used them a lot in the chemical and refinery industry,

 

[Mee]

Short piece of 1" hydraulic hose, cheap as chips and readily available, fit standard BSP connectors to your tank.

 

[Eyebrows]

Sorry to jump onto a thread like this but where would you suggest obtaining a hose like that?

 

[Wildefalcon]

That's the challenge, as someone who is doing this as a hobby, access to useful stuff is very restricted, gone are the days when i am knocking about industrial estates and can just call into a place and get what i want.

City centre working is rubbish, it's just phones food and clothes, all of which i have plenty of.

Even machine mart is too far out of town!

 

[Wildefalcon]

And you are right, at 28mm it's over kill, but the price difference isn't much, the time is the same, and i have a thing about over specifying stuff, do it once, do it right, and never go near it again.

Thanks.

 

[Mee]

Sorry to jump onto a thread like this but where would you suggest obtaining a hose like that?

Hydraulic suppliers, engineering suppliers, pipe fitters, and machinery equipment dealers often have short lengths ready made up on the shelf as replacements.

 

[gt6s]

A hydraulics shop will make you up any hose ends length you want.

Laurence

 

[brightspark]

just use c couplings and standard 3/4 bore air hose also ball shut off valves