Is PVC for line really bad????

[gonzalo medina]

I keep hearing copper or galvanized steed to do this but I have a tight budget right now. My compressor is set up in a small garage and friends keep saying I could get away with pvc. It seems easier to work with. Anyone done there plumbing with pvc???

[phoelsch]

Nothing wrong with PVC. I know of a few wood finishing shops that are running their entire shop with PVC. They are running main line air preasures at about 125 psi. Calculating the CFM that you need will determine the size.

[gonzalo medina]

I know professional shops must use steel or cooper to meat regulations but I don't have the extra money right now. I have a few pals that are using pvc for years now with no complains. I don't plan on staying long where I am at any way.

[hardtailjohn]

I had PVC blow in a shop once.... it will NEVER be anywhere near me with compressed air in it again!!!!!!!!! It blew razor sharp shards of PVC, some up to a foot long, everywhere in the shop... they were sticking in the walls, ceiling, airplanes, benches..... luckily we were at lunch! It's not an isolated incident either... I've talked to quite a few people that have seen the results.. PLEASE, don't scrimp.... spend a few dollars more and get some good black iron pipe...or just get a good 1/2" ID hose for the first joint of hose...it's not worth the risk of that stuff blowing!!! I can attest, if I had been in that shop when it blew, I seriously doubt I'd be here to tell you about it.
JH

[gonzalo medina]

Finally some good war storys

[FORDification]

I've heard the same stories...you might get lucky and NOT have an incident, but when/if you do, it'll be catastrophic. Heck, even copper line is better than PVC, and is what I'm using in my shop.

[jor]

There's several in depth discussion of the PVC vs. black pipe vs. copper on the hotrodders.com site. There is also excellent reference material for plumbing and compressor choice. They even reference fordification a couple of times. The discussion is at http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/pvc-air ... 08824.html

You'll find some proponents of PVC but the general consensus is that it is a mistake.

If the link doesn't work, just go to http://www.hotrodders.com and get into the Garage - Tools discussion. Good luck.
jor

[gonzalo medina]

Cool I'll just wait till I could afford th better stuff. What size of pipe should I use?

[FORDification]

Cool I'll just wait till I could afford th better stuff. What size of pipe should I use?

Check out the following link on my Oldsmobile site...it should answer all your questions:

http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm

[jor]

In addition to Keith's great info, check out the TPTools site here http://www.tptools.com/lp2/Tech_Notes.html and choose Air Line Hookup. Incidentally, TPTools is a great company to work with imo.
jor

[gonzalo medina]

There diagrams look great but it looks a little over kill for a small garage. I will use steel but do you have to thread those pipes your self? I priced cooper and thats definatly not going to happen. Would plumbing stores have what I need including the ball valves.

[Kurt Combs]

I haven't had any black iron threaded lately, but a few years back the local hardware store would cut and thread if you took them the dimensions. They charged by the threaded end.

[FoMoCo]

I've always run PVC for air systems. I have an I/R 60 gallon in the basment and run pvc to a retractible hose reel in the basement and I run a line the length of the house and into the garage. I had trouble blowing enDs BUT! it was because I did not adhere the joints properly. I feel as though I secured the pipe and wraped the the exposed potions in foam piipe insulation. I may be a false sense of security but I feel though it's fastend securely and if blown apart shouldnt damage anything.

Nick

[lightning_msd]

scary stuff

[Badd F100]

I used L grade Copper pipe. Cost about $220 to do about 90' of plumibing, Home depot had a sale on copper pipe, so i could not resist. Best choice I ever made.