Air Supply Lines

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J

jimbob91577

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I'm looking into making a dedicated air supply system to the gar...I mean shop but want to know the pro's/con's of using PVC versus other means.

My father in law has PVC air lines in his auto shop, and I've heard they can explode, but has anyone had this happen to them? What are the costs of using something like black pipe?

Thx
J
 
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OSHA says they are dangerous, Supposedly CPVC is a safer bet, I don't think OSHA approves them either, I can't figure out how, since the wall thickness is so much thinner on CPVC, I've had PVC air lines in my shops with no problems, but I've never had OSHA in my shops either. just be careful where you put you connectors, since either pipe will break easily enough. Black Iron 1/2 inch is pretty spendy, but would be a lot safer than PVC or CPVC.
 
Go the expense of the black pipe and stay clear of using PVC. IF the pressure is mistakenly increased and you have a rupture of the PVC lines you do indeed stand the risk of shrapnel from the fitting and/or the pipes hitting you, the kids, or anyone else standing nearby. :eek:

Black pipe is FAR superior in the long run. Not only is it superior since it is made for the use of air, you can also get the proper fittings with no problems at all. PVC to metal fittings are one problem I don't think you want to mess with as there are frustrations out the ying yang!

GO METAL ALL THE WAY.
 
I was reading about this subject recently on the web site of a PVC pipe manufacturer. They said it was extremely dangerous to use PVC for air supply lines and strongly recommended against it.

Please be safe and use a different material!! The money you save is just not worth the risk involved!!
 
I expect that copper will be more expensive to use; but unless you are experienced and have the special tools it will be a lot easier to work with than black pipe.
 
Do not spare the expense of safety for affordability. Where as it may cost you $20-30 for the pvc, I ranover 60 feet of black pipe for about $65. Find a local hardware store not the BORGs. It is well worth the peace of mind.
 
a guy in a shop had pvc pipe for years. one day, he was moving some stuff in his shop, hit the pipe and took a 6 stitch tour of the emergency room.....he now has copper pipe and according to him, some serious piece of mind.
 
I am in the Safety and Health Profession and have to wiegh in on this. PVC and all plastic pipes can and eventually will shatter and send shards out with tremendous force. A standard recommendation is that PVC be sleeved in metal conduit to contain the blast shards. OSHA recognizes this as a hazard and will cite employers for plastic air lines.

Black iron pipe is much less susseptable to rupture and if it does, will just split and not send any shards or material out as a missile.

Please be safe.
 
I had PVC in my production shop only because it was already there when I moved in and I'm here to tell you after it blew up 3 times I would never even think of using it again. I was just lucky that the pipe was up above the ceiling, when it blows (and it will) you will need a wardrobe change :smile-big:

Jay
 
I just installed this in my new shop. It is super easy to install. I was amazed at how easy it was to install and if you change you mind on the location of the air ports you just push the release ring and you can disconnect the pipe and reroute it.
 
The shop I used to supervise had pvc when I started. I tried to get them to change to black pipe, but they said it was not cost effective since pvc was there and had not had any problems. Corporate was giving a tour to prospective new customers when a machine operator grabbed a quick disconnect to plug in an air hose and the pvc exploded sending sharp pieces all over. Made a real impression on the tour. No one was hurt and that afternoon I was running 2 inch black pipe with 3/4 inch drops. My own shop has 1/2 black pipe and the cost was not that much more than pvc and the piece of mind is worth more yet. GO WITH THE BLACK PIPE.
 
for my 2cents I used 3/4" copper and it works just fine and easy to install(helps having a son who is forman for a plumbing contractor)
 
air line

up here in pa a few big shops are useing copper pipe
they found it works great and if need to add a drop u just need a pipe cutter
 
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