'Hard fix' Compressed air lines - How to, where from?

[Cloggsy]

We have our own Motorcycle Workshop at my work & my boss & I want to fit compressed airlines around the workshop from out compressor to run air tools from...

I've spoken to a couple of people who've said 'do it yourself,' but where do we get the kit from :?:

We need about 7 hook-up points arond the walls of the workshop & a couple of hook-up points from the roof above the bike benches...

Any help/advice greatly received ;)

Thanks in advance...

[Bez]

I have ordered air bits from here in the past.
https://secure.thorite.co.uk/index.html
They should have everything you need.


We used to run the supply lines in galvanised steel piping but running them in plastic would be quicker, easier and i would have thought cheaper.

[jimmy4237]

Find out where your local Partco branch is. They sell PCL air tool connectors, with the associated air hose adapters. Just run ducting around the walls, and use copper pipes with "T" pieces. Then solder the PCL adapters onto the copper pipes. Solder one end the PCL pipe to the the "T" piece. Then attach the PCL connectors onto the adapters using plumbers tape.

That's the way my mates workshop is plumbed out, and it works well enough.
Ask your local Partco branch for advice, or ask a main car dealer if you can see how their in-house workshop is set up for multiple air tool connections.

PCL adapter to cut pipe, solder cut pipe to "T" piece in main wall pipe ducting. Attach PCL air connector to adapter.

[RandyO]

Find out where your local Partco branch is. They sell PCL air tool connectors, with the associated air hose adapters. Just run ducting around the walls, and use copper pipes with "T" pieces. Then solder the PCL adapters onto the copper pipes. Solder one end the PCL pipe to the the "T" piece. Then attach the PCL connectors onto the adapters using plumbers tape.

That's the way my mates workshop is plumbed out, and it works well enough.
Ask your local Partco branch for advice, or ask a main car dealer if you can see how their in-house workshop is set up for multiple air tool connections.

PCL adapter to cut pipe, solder cut pipe to "T" piece in main wall pipe ducting. Attach PCL air connector to adapter.

I never seen copper pipe used for air lines, I don't think it will hold up to the pressure over time, copper is a soft metal

most places use iron pipe, make sure pipes pitch properly so moisture drains to a collector/seperator that has a drain valve

[mac]

I wouldnt suggest using copper pipe ( soft and prone to accident damage ).

If you can borrow/hire a pipe threading mc you could knock up a good system in half a day ( cold drawn galvanised steel pipe and fittings - lots of PTFE or bosswhite and hemp on the the threads ).

Your local eng hardware store should be able to get all the fittings ( for our workshop we have 1" pipework and fittings ).

Depending on your compressed air supply you may need and external oiler/water trap.

Not a lot to it mate - if you are stuck give me PM and i will spec. the job for you........

[timwilky]

Clive

Caution please. Remember in the lines the compressed air is still compressed and the lines are therefore a pressure vessel in their own right. I seem to recall your work is some kind of home/school, correct me if I am wrong.

Should god forbid something happen with one of these lines and one of your trainees is injured the first question would be who installed the system, what public liability etc.

For you own safety do not install air lines unless you are sure firstly you know what you are doing, you are using the correct material, ie either steel pipe or nylon pressure pipe etc. and most importantly a written instruction.

Sorry to be so negative as I have a compressed air ring in the garage at home. But then the only person to use it is me.

[amarko5]

Clive

Caution please. Remember in the lines the compressed air is still compressed and the lines are therefore a pressure vessel in their own right. I seem to recall your work is some kind of home/school, correct me if I am wrong.

Should god forbid something happen with one of these lines and one of your trainees is injured the first question would be who installed the system, what public liability etc.

For you own safety do not install air lines unless you are sure firstly you know what you are doing, you are using the correct material, ie either steel pipe or nylon pressure pipe etc. and most importantly a written instruction.

Sorry to be so negative as I have a compressed air ring in the garage at home. But then the only person to use it is me.

Well said Tim

contact your local Health and Safety to find out the regs mate, and make sure you at least meet the minimum requirements as you will be liable to prosecution if you do not.

better to get a quote from a firm, but you will still have to get the correct specs installed, and have all the standard operating proceedures and health and safety equipment necessary, especially so in a school enviroment.

and allways remember compressed Air Bitesssssssss (nicked from one of our safety posters) :lol: :wink:

[BigDog]

www.screwfix.com

[independentphoto]

Hi there,

Just for the record, the "Pressure Systems Regulations" (blah blah etc), or perhaps even more up to date legislation will apply in a place of work where the system hits a magic number arrived at through a formula. This calculates the pressure and capacity involved if I recall correctly. Check the HSE website for details.

Once again DON'T use copper pipe for an air ring mains (or branch). Than's an accident waiting to happen. If you want simplicity, with no threading etc involved, there are some proprietary systems on the market using either extruded plastic or aluminium and push & twist type joints. They look very neat and can be installed quickly. Not necessarily the cheapest vendor, but you could check with www.rswww.com for some info anyway. I know that they have some.

Good luck,

Garry

[donniej]

With 7 stations, I'd use 1/2" steel pipe. You can use hard plastic hose (like PEX) but it's usually only sold in 1/4" and with that small of tubing will not have sufficient supply capacity.

When I was in tech school thet used steel pipe that was about 1/2".

If you're lucky or patient you might be able to get some used pipe for free or cheap from a building being torn down...