What psi max are those guys using copper running??
Not sure but copper is rated much higher than PEX or Maxline tubing. Copper is around 600psi I believe, the others are closer to 200psi.
At this point I’m considering going with copper. My main run will only be around 30’ with 2 drops and even doing a manifold setup with valves will not cost that much and will out live me.
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Be aware bud, at Home Depot and others there is light duty copper pipe and heavy duty 1/2". Type C and B if I remember right, use the light duty stuff for your manifold, it is plenty strong and transfers the heat better.
For the rest of your runs it is your choice, there is not much difference in price but it does add up.
Edit: also look for the “toxic” flux, it can not be used for drinking water applications but it is fine for this and it is a pleasure (almost fun) to use compared to the non-toxic stuff.
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Forty feet is really nothing to worry about. You shouldn’t lose even 1 psi of pressure. And your 3/8 line has plenty of flow capacity for a plasma cutter like ours. In the past, I’ve had to run my Eastwood Versa Cut 40 on 50 feet of 1/2 rubber hose hooked to 100 feet of 3/8 rubber hose hooked to 25 feet of 1/4 coiled poly and had no issues.
I have a RapidAir setup in my 30x40 shop. Works very well and no issues since install. The only leaks I had when setting up were the fittings at the manifold. A little extra Teflon tape on the threads fixed that. 10/10 would buy again.
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The 3 layer Maxline normal use 200psi, has a burst rating of 700psi. The single layer RapidAir most install, is only rated for 150psi normal use, not sure of burst there, but it is cheaper. Ease of install and mods, and a complete kit, is why I chose it (Maxline).
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The Copper Pipe types are M, L, K, with M being the thinnest walls of the three and is the most common in box stores, although you can find type L in box stores as well. The pressure rating is dependent on the diameter of the pipe with 1/2" M=420PSI, L=613 PSI, and K=758. 3/4" M rating is 346 PSI.
Ref: Copper Tubes Type K, L and M - Working Pressures vs. Size
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Dang it is nice to have smart people to hang with, would have taken me all day to dig up those facts, thanks for the clarification!
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Lot’s of good info here.
I’m seeing quite a few videos on DIY dryer manifolds made of copper pipe with drops and valves, also aftercoolers, anyone doing this? And/or what brands of water separators/dryers won’t break the bank. I’m already going with copper so it’s not much more work/$$.
I feel like I’m luckier than a lot of people because I looked at the weather for the next few days and the humidity will be 8-15% and that’s what it’s like here a lot of the time.
Something I’m noticing in all these manifold dryer setups is lot’s of 90 deg fittings and I’m curios how adding 10 or more additional 90’s will affect flow/cfm delivery. I found some info on fluids but the compressed air info is just formulas which are over my head. I’m thinking the effect/loss is less with copper because the fittings are not as restricted as with PEX or similar tubing.
Without going into all the math on piping losses, the short answer is not enough to worry about it. Go up a pipe size if you are still concerned.
this is true.
compressed air for this type of work you can forget about cfm loss.
I run a major hospital and we have air lines running from the plant compressor up through 7 stories of the building with so many bends you can not imagine…mostly on 1/2" copper lines…and from top to bottom there is no determinable difference.
if you are running laboratory equipment and a automotive shop on the same compressor…then I might worry a bit…
I personally installed Orange 1" CPVC Fire sprinkler piping in my Garage. The cost to ME was Right ( FREE) being in the Fire Protection Industry and Licensed Plumber. Its 300PSI rated with drains at each drops could even be used underground. Copper is expensive depending on runs, and Steel eventually rusts. You can used Pex but would only Recommend PRO PEX but requires an Expansion tool and specific fittings, Standard Pex w/compession bands or clamp NOT Recommended . Don’t Exceed PSI rating of piping. Just My Opinion and Experience. Hope this Helps
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Digging this back up now that I have a compressor.
I have a manifold built with 3/4" copper pipe with three legs and drops/valves. I’m trying to figure out where to put the regulator. Should I go from the compressor to the regulator as soon as possible and then go in to the manifold? Also, should I use a regulator with a filter, or a regulator only in that location? There will be a large desiccant filter after the manifold and likely a smaller filter near the drop for the Plasma.
My 2 cents, have a regulator and main filter combo after the compressor before the manifold to step down the pressure from 150psi to about 110psi and also to prevent any oil, water, particles from contaminating your downstream runs. Then on each leg put a regulator right at each outlet to tailor the pressure for each drop. Use a drop with an integrated drain on the bottom to allow you to drain out any moisture that could collect there over time. I tend to use my drops for different purposes like one for air tools, another for my plasma cutter, Painting, etc. Each of those drops tend to work best at a different pressure. On the plasma drop, my Hypertherm 45xp has a filter right on it to catch any other containment’s.
Had a lot of fun soldering all those fittings😉
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bandaid1998, do you run into any issue with scale/rust in your lines? Looks like you are using cast iron pipe?
Regular 1/2" white pvc pipe has been used in my Fab Shop at 150 psi with no problems for years now. An oldtimer with a fixit garage and tire shop said he had been using 1/2" white pvc lines that have been in his shop since his dads dad started it. I think people get to hung up on using the latest greatest thing that is out there when a lot of times the cheaper shit works just fine. Oh and I live in Mi and have 150’ underground from one building to the other.
I don’t know if that’s necessarily the case or just that one that exploded can leave someone with a jaded view of risking the shrapnel damage. Like everything though, it’s a risk/cost benefit thing.
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Go with rapid air Maxline master kit. $170 for everything you need for the lines anyway. Manifold, 3 drops, elbows, T’s, 100ft 1/2 line, tools. Maxline is rated higher than standard rapid air line sold at the cheaper price. Installed one kit down one side of my shop, love it, so bought another for the other side…
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