[SEL] OT-OT- air lines in shop?

[David Rotigel]

Those of you that are as ignorant about PEX pipe as am I might want to  
take a look at: http://www.pexinfo.com/ and/or
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=PEX+pipe&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
	Dave

On Oct 30, 2010, at 1:24 PM, Tim Christoff wrote:

> Has anyone ever used PEX pipe?  I was thinking of trying that out,  
> it works better than copper for water and will go 200psi plus it is  
> super inexpensive.
>
> Tim Christoff
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "P. Johns" <enginepaul at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Oct 30, 2010 10:28 AM
>> To: The SEL email discussion list <sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
>> Subject: Re: [SEL] OT-OT- air lines in shop?
>>
>> A couple of quick notes:
>>
>> The wall thickness of the copper won't matter, L has a thicker wall  
>> than M.
>> That makes for a minor difference in flow quantity)
>>
>> Copper "pipe" is called that by the plumbing industry, it is 'tubing'
>> according to the manufacturer. When you by compression fittings for  
>> 'pipe',
>> the 1/2" pipe uses 5/8 fittings, the 3/4 uses 7/8. Pipe is a  
>> nominal size,
>> tubing is actual outside dimension. So you get solder fittings in  
>> pipe
>> sizes, compression fittings in tube sizes.
>>
>> 1/2 pipe (of any type) will move a lot of air, probably enough for  
>> any air
>> tool commonly used; remember it is under high pressure - usually  
>> two times
>> or more than normal water pressure. I have used 1/2 galvanized -  
>> years ago -
>> and had plenty of volume for an auto shop; copper will deliver more.
>>
>> I have use both iron and copper for shop lines, but that was before  
>> this
>> modern poly plastic stuff was availabe and I don't see why  
>> something like
>> Pex wouldn't work EXCEPT for oil in the line at, or near, the
>> compressor.That may be dealt with by a sediment, or moisture trap.  
>> You
>> shouldn''t need a log drip leg, as the length won't make what falls  
>> into it
>> (moisture) any heavier. I always used a needle valve at the bottom  
>> of the
>> leg and sometimes left it open slightly while running.
>>
>> I have seen plastic pipe used, but I'd be afraid of it shattering  
>> from some
>> accident. I don't think (but don't know for sure) that it will  
>> burst from
>> any reasonable pressure. I just don't like the chance of physical  
>> damage
>> from some accident. Others would be better informed as far as  
>> safety goes -
>> and inconvenience as was mentioned.
>>
>> Perhaps, in you situation, you could leave the compressor with  
>> copper (or
>> galvanized) and then run cheaper and easier to use plastic along the
>> ceiling, then come down with copper again.
>>
>> Slope the overhead downward, toward the end of the run, so it will  
>> drain
>> moisture easily; 1/8" to 1/4" per foot should work fine.
>>
>> That's all I can think of for now - if there are any questions,  
>> just ask.
>>
>> Paul in California
>>
>> PS: My training in Plumbing Engineering was back when we uased  
>> pencils and
>> paper for calculations, so I never paid much attention to plastic  
>> pipe.
>> PPS: Nice shop
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>
>
> Tim Christoff
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