Compressor Shopping

Keep it simple.............a shut off valve between the source and all the air outlets........a pressure gauge / air-water separator & tool oilier............and if your going to paint ( not custom stuff ) I just have a separate filter and regulator I plug in on that line................and as far as piping.............I've had the same schedule 40 PVC pipe running through the shop for the last 3 decades without a leak , easy to add a location anytime..........Push on hose fittings and rubber hose for the areas that need flex.............I do shut off tank pressure at the end of the day and only run about 135 PSI line pressure.

 

Ohhh... Not at all keen on that change. Outside is better. Indoor space is precious, and these machines are fine outdoors. Just drain the tank and lines whenever you shut down. It does not need to be enclosed. Put it outdoors and close it in when you get to it. A chicken wire or hardware cloth enclosure is fine if you can stand the aesthetics.

Seriously, use black iron pipe. Trivial for a mechanically savvy installer. Look on Garage Journal for more discussion. I respect Tarry's opinion, but it's widely known that PVC for compressed air is dangerous. It's not rated for that pressure, and when it breaks it shatters into sharp pieces.

And I would never install an oiler. I would much rather put a few drops of oil into my tools before use, rather than have all my lines and hoses contaminated, and have to install an additional filter and regulator to paint.

 

Outside is the only way to go. The wife will make you move it out the very first time it starts so you might as well start outside. Steel piping is really easy and really cheap. The white pvc lines in the shop at dad's are over 40 years old without any ill effects yet. They were installed long before the internet said it is dangerous.

 

Click on the link here for detailed info.
Metal Piping eliminates moisture and air volume problems - TP Tools & Equipment

More about this contentious topic:
Copper or Black Pipe for Air Lines - The Garage Journal Board
1/2" or 3/4" air system? - The Garage Journal Board
PVC pipe air line explodes - The Garage Journal Board

I don't see the appeal of the nylon tubing... most installations are black iron, and it's easy to install. Promotes condensation in the lines (a good thing). And it's modular - you can take it apart and reuse the pieces in a different configuration should you so choose.

 

This Northern Tool is the solution I used. Been happy with it. I did lay the tubing outside in 90* heat to help uncoil it. My compressor is indoors, but then it's a detached garage shop. If I had thought about it I would have built a closet outside. I have seen schedule 40 explode. A piece of steel fell against it. Nobody hurt. We tried it again with no pressure and the steel bounced off. If I was to use PVC it would be schedule 80

 

That's the one I've got. Love it! American made

 

There's an ongoing debate on GJ about choice of black iron or copper. Both types have their fans, though seems all agree that metal pipe is better for cooling the air and promoting condensation. In terms of cooling, I have not seen any demonstrated superiority of one over the other. I like the modular character of iron, iron is tough, and my impression is it's a little cheaper, but some prefer to solder copper. The copper fans claim that black iron will rust, but I never see that and I almost always see water in my tank and drop. The inside of the tank is bare steel, so it's just as likely to rust as your pipe, and the pipe is pitched to drain to the tank or the drop. I do see a bit of red rust residue in my filter-drier, but never beyond there.

 

When we put the air system in my optical shop, we used copper with a refridgerated air dryer right after the compressor, Ingersoll-Rand 7.5HP 230 single phase two stage 80 gallon, runs 24/7. We the drain compressor every morning before start up. Air dryer has an automatic water drain valve. Never any moisture issues and the air delivers to the machinery at room temperature. Everything is computer controlled so had to be extra cautious with moisture. Our previous location had iron pipe with just a dessicant dryer. Water in the lines was always an issue. Lost a few circuit boards due to it. Running 165lbs through the system with no issues. Best air system I've ever used. Going on 11 years with no problems.

 

Woohoo!

 

KOOL....!

Cheese head.......