Shop/Garage Air - ABS Piping

Does anyone have any success or knowledge of using ABS piping for garage air or in any compressed air system for that matter? It would be great to run some 1/2" ABS on the ceiling of my garage or on the walls that is semi-permanently connected to a compressor with some quick-release ports spread sporadically throughout the system for quick access. I know that PVC isn't OSHA rated to be used in pressure scenarios but ABS is. Any words of wisdom before I begin this DIY would be greatly appreciated!

 

As long as you use Duruplus abs pipe and fittings designed for compressed air.

 

I worked at a shop once that had plastic air lines that were pvc welded together. I was at my tool box, walked away and the fitting and PVC shot out and just missed me and my toolbox by inches. I was pissed because if that shit hit me it would have done some damage. It shot like 25 feet away and hit the wall.

 

Take it you can't just run to Homer and pick that up eh?

 

Hate to hear about that.... Hope you had some words with the shop owner about cutting corners!!

 

How much pressure can PEX hold? In my last garage I just used 1/2" copper with soldered joints, not sure if it was the right thing or not but I had no issues with it. At work they use black iron pipe.

 

We have always used copper and soldered everything together. No chance of anything exploding. There is a few kits out there though that look decent for the money. Let me try to find some links.

 

Roger that. I know that's the most professional install I was just brainstorming something quick and dirty for the garage

 

$157 RapidAir 1/2in. Master Kit, Model Number 90500

https://www.amazon.com/RapidAir-Mas...85RE2MQXGF7&psc=1&refRID=E0W3C62QR85RE2MQXGF7


Ive seen good things about these rapid air systems. Biggest flaw with these kits is the fittings.

 

I went the cheap route. I stopped by Harbor Freight. 3 water separators, multiple coupler kits, 3 and 4 way blocks, various lengths of 3/8" hoses. 2 hose reels.

So far I only have one hose reel setup. I plan on having air on both sides of the garage with water separators then splitting off for reels, CNC equipment, mill, lathe and extra hose connectors for whatever need comes up.

I need to move stuff around first since my wife didn't like my metal chips flying into her laundry area.

 

As long as you aren't using a cutting torch near it, it should be fine.

 

My shop is black iron pipe. I really couldn't imagine using anything else. I have so many things hanging from it, I need something durable.

 

Would you guys mind throwing up some pics to get my creative juices flowing?

 

Black iron pipe along the ceiling in the upper right of the pic.

 

I've heard a plastic air pipe explode when I worked at a circus tent. I was outside when it happened I don't know what kind of plastic it was, I think it was blue in color.Based on that experience I'd stay away from plastic if you can.

 

The thing with any plastic depending where you live.

Age and thermal Cycling makes it brittle as long as it is up and out of the way it might be a low cost air system.

Something is at the back of my brain about the shock waves in the system it will come to me about mid day .

Do you have winter keep the shop heated above freezing ??

Now you get into having the proper pitch so every thing drains .

The only thing I every used that was not black pipe was Synflex used in Air Brake Systems .

 

@Wyoming09

We live in Oregon so we have pretty mild winters and summers compared to most parts of the country. The garage is always above freezing and never above 90 in the summer. I didn't think about pitch, that's a very good point. Should the system pitch back to the compressor, or should there be a dedicated purge/drip valve in the system? At this point I think I'm going to just sack up and go the black pipe route, I don't want something exploding in the garage and damaging any vehicles/toys/family members.

 

Depends on how big of a shop your talking and how many drops your going to have.

Are you running a loop back to the Compressor or are you just going to dead end.

In theory every drop should have a drain valve and the main line should .

Set The system up Correct then no one ever drains things

I am used to where Moisture in the Air gets real Expensive !!

 

Save some headache and put a dedicated hose off the bottom of the compressor tank. Use this hose only for blowing the dust out of the shop. This works great for getting the water out of the tank. (I actually use mine to fill lawn mower tires as I don't care if there is a bit of water in those cheap tires)

 

@koditten that's a great idea my man!!