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10-31-2010, 05:31 PM | #1 |
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pvc to plumb air compressor?
has anyone used the 400psi pvc to plumb there shop air compressor before?
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10-31-2010, 06:07 PM | #2 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Bad idea... PVC can handle the pressure just fine, problem is if you bump into it or overstress it mechanically you end up with shrapnel.
http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html |
10-31-2010, 06:45 PM | #3 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
I asked that same question a few years back before plumbing my shop for air lines to a guy I knew who worked where they did it once. Don't do it, was his reply.
Like it was explained to me, if and when it breaks, and it will, it is shrapnel. One of his co-workers was nearly killed when an air line at his work broke. Missed his co-worker but pvc pipe penetrated an exterior steel sided wall. The company replaced all their air lines after that incident. I stayed with hard pipe. Just my two cents. I thought it sounded like a good way to go at the time too having read about it, but...safe is better. Mark
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10-31-2010, 09:40 PM | #4 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
My shop is plumbed with the PVC and I have not had problems. There were a couple of leaky joints in the origianl installation, but those are now gone. It has been there for 6 years. I have the connections clamped on both sides of the air chuck and it does not move. My compressor maintains the max pressure of 175 PSI.
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10-31-2010, 09:55 PM | #5 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
thanks for the replies .. i was just run maybe 5' up the wall to the hose reels and clamp it to the wall...
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10-31-2010, 09:58 PM | #6 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
I ran mine up the wall and went all the way around a 40 X 40 shop. I dropped down to each area that I wanted to have a connection point, to let moisture have a dead leg collection point.
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10-31-2010, 09:59 PM | #7 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Get the cross linked PVC it doesn't explode like regular pvc. Its similar to PEX
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10-31-2010, 10:16 PM | #8 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
NO, NO, and NO! PVC cannot be used for compressed gasses. End of story. Ask any manufacturer or seller of the product. That's what they'll tell you, and it's not because they're trying to make money off you. The fact is PVC plumbing systems aren't even allowed to be air pressure tested like copper lines are.
PEX on the other hand is a very affordable alternative. If you're only running 5 feet copper will be about $10, use it. Not only is it stronger and safer, it will also help cool your air, while plastic insulates it.
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10-31-2010, 10:16 PM | #9 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
pvc also deteriorates over time due to age and the stress cycles of being pressurized and depressurized ... what's fine today may very well be a grenade tomorrow.
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10-31-2010, 10:31 PM | #10 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
I have mine run in pvc also, I've read of the dangers of it, but for the ease of installation and cost comparisions to black pipe I'll take my chances. I keep my regulator set on 95 psi usually and it has been installed for over 5 years with no issues.
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10-31-2010, 10:49 PM | #11 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
I used pvc once upon a time..Ended up replacing all of it with pipe..
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11-01-2010, 02:07 AM | #12 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
PVC in a commercial shop, is fineable by OSHA. There IS an ABS that is rated for air, but it is colored differently then the store stuff (and priced up there with metal).
There is also a pex that is rated for air (NOT ALL PEX IS). But it is harder to come by and doesn't have the line cooling effects. |
11-01-2010, 05:04 AM | #13 | |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Quote:
Cost comparison...really? How much did you spend on your air compressor? How much did you spend on your air tools? Quit being cheap and spend $50 on the proper air lines. It's not THAT expensive. If you can't afford proper plumbing, then use an air hose. They are cheap and plentiful. There is NEVER an excuse to use PVC. There is no room to argue. Copper pipe runs about $1-2/foot depending on the size, will never rupture, looks better, and works as an air cooler/dryer. Using PVC for air lines is about the equivalent of using extension cords to wire your house. As far of "ease of installation" goes, it doesn't get any easier than the new "sharkbite" fittings. Works with copper, PEX, and PVC. Not that copper pipe is hard to solder in the first place...
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'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville. Last edited by Sillyoldman; 11-20-2010 at 12:47 AM. Reason: removed inappropriate language & Troll |
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11-01-2010, 09:05 AM | #14 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
seems some have a death wish.
all it takes is a failling jack handle to hit it just right and BOOM black iron or copper are not that much more.. |
11-01-2010, 10:26 AM | #15 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
the ones that use PVC seem to b the same that use the lazyman rubber fuel lines//why do it right when you do it quick and cheap seems to b the motto
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11-02-2010, 07:08 PM | #16 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
When you build on a budget, you get creative. I built the 40 X 40 shop with concrete, metal walls inside and out, lighting, and insulation for $23,000. It has served me well. The PVC pipes were a crazy idea that a friend of mine did to his shop and we both have had great luck.
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11-02-2010, 09:03 PM | #17 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Well, The shop I work at (50x200) was plumed with PVC 28 years ago. I've been there 20 years, Haven't yet had any issues with busted pipes but they are ran and mounted properly to ward off any unsuspecting accidents.
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11-02-2010, 09:41 PM | #18 | |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Quote:
People that say "haven't had any issues yet" are idiots. I could store old dynamite in my shop and it might not blow up. Then I could tell everybody how safe it is to store. It only takes one "yet" to KILL someone.
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'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville. Last edited by Number21; 11-02-2010 at 09:42 PM. |
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11-02-2010, 10:48 PM | #19 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
You work for OSHA ?
Or just one that has to make a mountain out of a mole hill ? I'll let you know when the roof blows off..... Or maybe I won't.
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93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. "Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!
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11-02-2010, 11:07 PM | #20 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
You don't have to work for OSHA to know the rules...PVC air lines is not acceptable anywhere, anytime. It would be the same as if the found bare copper wires strung around for the electricity.
And yeah, I've worked in a shop that OSHA shut down because they didn't like one tiny little thing and kicked everyone out and shut off the power. .
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'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville. Last edited by Sillyoldman; 11-20-2010 at 12:46 AM. Reason: removed inappropriate language |
11-03-2010, 09:16 PM | #21 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
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11-04-2010, 03:15 AM | #22 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
I'll bet that they can't pick up PVC shrapnel with an x-ray.When the doctor has the scalpel in his hand and mentions"exploratory surgery" won't you be glad you saved a few bucks on air plumbing(you're going to need that money to give to the doctor)
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11-04-2010, 05:50 AM | #23 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
Exactly. It's only a matter of time before there's a picture floating around the interweb with some guy who has a giant peice of PVC sticking out of his eye ball. Do you want to be that guy?
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'73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville. |
11-03-2010, 08:51 AM | #24 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
seems like the wronger they are the louder they proclaim the virtue
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11-03-2010, 09:08 AM | #25 |
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Re: pvc to plumb air compressor?
From the OSHA article I linked in the very first reply above:
Information Date: 19880520 Record Type: Hazard Information Bulletin Subject: The Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe in Above Ground Installations. "When PVC piping explodes, plastic shrapnel pieces are thrown in all directions." "'We're seeing more incidents of explosive failure, and we're citing more employers for using PVC air system piping,' said Paul Merrill, senior safety inspector in L&I's Spokane office. It's probably just a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured in one of these explosions unless everyone pays more attention to the manufacturer's warnings,' Merrill said. Last year, a section of PVC pipe being used for compressed air exploded 27 feet above a warehouse floor. A fragment of the pipe flew 60 feet and embedded itself in a roll of paper. Fortunately, nobody was in the area at the time. A PVC pipe explosion in a new plant in Selah broke an employee's nose and cut his face." "PVC piping buried 3 feet underground at a Yakima manufacturing plant exploded, opening up a crater approximately 4 feet deep by 3 feet across." http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html Last edited by lakeroadster; 11-03-2010 at 09:13 AM. |
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