Air Compressor Hoses...ideas on set-up

[9973720wb19]

i have a 60 gallon air compressor mounted to the floor (air value is 1/2 way down the tank on the side) and I'm tired of having to deal with a twisted hose and wrapping it up each time. However, I like the flexibility of not having a "fixed reel" to the wall (my ceiling is too high; I'd use too much hose to reach me and don't want a hose hanging where i pull in) because I'm concerned I'd loose the ability for the hose to easily come around the compressor, under and over other items and even outside a bit. I'm considering installing a auto-reel to the wall. could i see photos of some set-ups that work for y'all and can we discuss the pros and cons...

 

[Car Doc]

This may not meet code etc but I used sch 40 1/2 pvc to plumb my shop air in it has held up fine for probably 16 years now was cheap too.

I have a 25' hose here and there wrapped on a wire welder reel screwed to a wall stud.

 

[gmbracing]

this is my set up 2 harbor freight reel and rubber hoses

 

[Moombamania]

Car Doc....

Do you have any water issues in lines.

 

[Car Doc]

No not anything abnormal I have a water trap on my main hose I use all the time by my tool box and one in my paint booth.

Neither gets much in they rarely get drained plus I drain my compressor every nite it has a foot valve drain which is handy.

 

[dstig1]

Jeepers Car Doc, NEVER use PVC for compressed air lines. "Meeting code" is far from your primary concern. Injury or death should be more of a concern to you. The dangers of PVC airlines are well known, and real. People have actually been killed by exploding PVC airlines. The residual compressor oil degrades the PVC slightly, they are brittle at low temps, and generally not rated for carrying a compressible fluid (water is not compressible, gasses like air are). When they fail, they fail explosively and throw shrapnel at high velocities everywhere. Anyone around when it happens is at serious risk of injury.

If you are not personally worried about it, let me ask you this: Does anyone else ever come in your garage/shop? How would you feel if a kid/spouse/friend was injured by this? It is not just "internet lore" that this can happen. It is a real and significant danger. Iron or copper are the best, but I think PEX tubing has some good potential as it should not fail in the same manner as PVC does.

I won't lecture endlessly on this. A quick google search will give enough evidence to scare the wee out of you on this...

My 2 cents

 

[hawkeye08]

I had planned on using PVC for my shop airlines until I was told about the dangers. I have been getting a few sticks of copper pipe once in awhile and will be putting 1/2" copper airlines in. I have my compressor in a separate outbuilding with my pressure tank for our water system so I don't have listen to the noise when it runs. I plan on putting an 60 gallon air tank in the shop with a checkvalve in the line back to the compressor. Just need to get my lines run. Always another project it seems..

 

[RickB]

This may not meet code etc but I used sch 40 1/2 pvc to plumb my shop air in it has held up fine for probably 16 years now was cheap too.

I have a 25' hose here and there wrapped on a wire welder reel screwed to a wall stud.

Code? You have a time bomb.

 

[crazyal]

I had a bunch of left over 1/2 PEX tubing. I ran a main line using some 1/2" copper with a drain and ball valve shut off to cool and catch any water then I ran the PEX to all four corners of the garage with several quick disconnects. I pitched the PEX so no water could get caught in low spots. Works fine, it's rated for 180 psi at 100 degrees F and was real easy to install.

 

[9973720wb19]

gmbracing - thanks for the photo it was helpful. like you, I see you still held on to your hand pump grease gun after you got the air one :laughing: