Compressed air system

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Hi Gents spotted this on the sister site for woodwork and thought is was of interest

**LINK**

You can link through to the web site.

Cheers JohnF

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Looks to be ££££.

Wonder if Polyplump pipe with proper compression fittings from Plumbase et al would be up to the job? Can't see plumbers pushfits being strong enough but the collet type are rated for 10 bar and go up to 16 mm OD pipe so if you don't need too much air.

Clive.

[Alan Waddington 2Participant @alanwaddington2]

Posted by Clive Foster on 05/12/2016 01:06:32:

Looks to be ££££.

Wonder if Polyplump pipe with proper compression fittings from Plumbase et al would be up to the job? Can't see plumbers pushfits being strong enough but the collet type are rated for 10 bar and go up to 16 mm OD pipe so if you don't need too much air.

Clive.

John Guest Speedfit, do a plastic push fit system specifically designed for compressed air.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

the plastic speedfit work well and is quite cheap from Toolstation tho has an interesting property that as air is switched on you hear a strange creaking sound as the joints compress the seals

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

When I plumbed in my compressed air system in my workshop I used 15mm copper pipe, had no problems with it running at 120PSI.
Mark P.

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Plumbing in a compressed air circuit is on my to do list. I have faith in the speedfit fittings having worked on the moulds for them years ago.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Domestic water supplies are often over 100psi ,so the plastic pipe should be safe.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

If you don't need massive air flow volume why not do it in 6mm nylon. Push fittings are available, it's easy to run anywhere you like and it's reasonably cheap. Same stuff as the coiled coloured air hoses see everywhere.

regards Martin

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

From £178.80 + VAT for starter kit.

I have a bundle of cu tube to use, bought years ago, and as usual mocking me for ignoring it/them.

Recovering from last night's marathon session with 5year old performing energetic 'plays' for us.

Geoff – Where does she get all that energy from!? I could do with some.

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

Nooging around t'net I found this about pressure testing PolyPlumb piping and joints :-

————–

Pressure testing of the Polypipe 'Polyplumb' pipe system is essential however a successful pressure test using the following steps is not a guarantee of complete and correct installation and only ensures that pipes have been inserted into fittings passed both the ‘o’ ring and the grab ring. If pipes have been scored or scratched during the installation process a high pressure test as below may not highlight these issues.

 

1st fix installations

 

Pipe and fittings only should be tested. The system should be completely filled using water at not more than 20°C at a test pressure of 18 Bar which should be applied for not less than 15 minutes and no longer than 1 hour.

Joint security can be checked visually and by tugging at joints.

 

—————.

 

18 bar is just over 260 psi. So looks like the cheap option will do fine for the likes of us.

 

 

6 mm nylon is a nice system, works a treat on my Range Rover P38 air suspension set up, but the pipe isn't uber cheap and you need to watch out for manifold and adapter costs when going up to normal BSP, air connector and pipe sizes. Had to do a mixed system recently with a couple of 6 mm pipe sections going up to the usual sizes and was quite surprised how the bits'n bobs added up. Nothing fancy. Just a basic compressor pressure switch control system with an extra unloader valve circuit.

 

Clive.

Edited By Clive Foster on 05/12/2016 11:09:26

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

From £178.80 + VAT for starter kit ?

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I think my plastic blue 15mm tubing + fittings for a 5 – 6m run along a wall up + over a door + pressure reducer etc near lathe + mill cost about ?60 + still have enough tubing + fittings to extend out to another work bench – but agree it is the small bits that add up.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

From £178.80 + VAT for starter kit ?

Nah! Buy 2 and get one free! Honest it says so on the website!

Get together with a couple of mates, mind, because otherwise there might be a lot of some pieces left over!

[JonParticipant @jon]

For £214 it will only do a basic setup 5m long with a couple of drop points.
Look nice but unless don't know what to do with money there are other proven routes.

15mm copper pipe no problem taking 20BAR, I have tested mine using soldered and compression fittings where necessary and theres a lot of them
Think bought 10 lengths of copper tube, elbows, T joints, 3 stop cocks, 5 female sockets and a pipe bender for around £50 and at least 7 times more than above link.
Few years ago plumbed in the old compressor tank as extra storage for the bead blaster via filters and a regulator. Could do with redoing the layout to cool the air down, longer the better with U drains etc.

[David JuppParticipant @davidjupp51506]

The big attraction of some of these systems (the one linked, or the plastic ones) is time savings at installation, reduced need for specialist tools, less messing about fixing leaks. This can more than justify paying a bit more for materials. If you have the tools and expertise, and are not being charged for your own time, the sums might look very different.

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Hi all,

sorry but galv pipe is the only way to go……temp prob's with plastic and more problems if it gets a knocked

moving machinery etc……I run my system ar 135psi………besides I can hang my coat on it……

easy fit anything is always expensive……if its only for a small w/shop buy the nearest length of rubber air line of flebay and use a double connector to add on extra……normal pipe clips will hold it to the wall….

often, there are good offers for air line and fittings in Lidil, been offered twice this year……..

Clogs

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

galvanised .? . . . . surely black iron is more traditional !

0

Martin

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Hi Martin,

bit of a Magpie, like the shiny stuff……Clogs

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Perhaps a counsel of perfection, but try to have the take offs pointing vertically upwards, to reduce picking up the moisture that will be in the compressed air.

Ideally, you will have installed a water separator, (which you drain regularly, if it has no auto drain function), between the compressor and the ring main.

The standard advice, given by the professionals is that when the compressor is shut down and left for any time, leave the reservoir drain tap open. Again, ideally, the ring main should also have a drain at the lowest and furthest points.

Hope that this helps

Howard

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