Garage Air?

kirk · 01-09-02, 03:37

One of the things I did get in the garage this fall was a small air compressor and a retracting hose reel.

I have a 50' hose reel up on the wall. That is an improvement over a bundle of hose on the floor. But now that I have it.... Its not as neat as I thought it might be. (I'm worried about the hose retracting and banging metal air fittings against the paint jobs.)

I'm thinking an upgrade would be to run a hard airline to the end of the garage, where a hose can connect (for filling tires in the drive way.) and either a smaller overhead reel, or drop down curly hoses.

How do you do it?

Brad · 01-09-02, 06:48

Do what I do: slip a bicycle innertube over the end of the chuck. You can still work the release through it but it helps give the end a little cover in case of an accident.

Curly hoses are bad news. They jump out of your hand and are dangerous and a paint chip risk.

Overheads are nice but you still have to be careful.

I did the piped air method a few years ago. (use galvanized pipe and fittings at home depot) It was ok but you still ended up having lenghths of hose you had to deal with.

My first choice is an overhead reel. But I have a wall mount reel and like that very much.

Redcar GUY · 01-09-02, 07:01

Brad- good Info!!!!!!!!!!

kirk · 01-09-02, 07:29

Yes, excellent idea with the inner tube. I will do that. It is just screaming for a cover like that.

I appreciate your input on the other methods. They don't seem as neat now either. I'm for sure going to use it a good while as-is. Lots more to do in the garage yet.

banzaitoyota · 01-29-02, 05:47

For a good source of parts and ideas order this:

http://www.tptools.com/CatalogReques...4RT7K2EGWG72D8

banzaitoyota · 01-29-02, 05:58

http://www.tptools.com/StaticText/ai...4RT7K2EGWG72D8

JasonO · 07-11-02, 01:05

Does anyone have pictures of their hard lines? I am thinking about doing this in my own garage.

Jason

geekysteve · 07-11-02, 01:15

My $.02:

Despite how hard I work to try and keep my air lines dry, moisture always seems to accumulate in the air lines. So, here's a tip that I saw on one of the "garage shows" on TNN.

When running an airline, be sure to avoid placing the outlet fitting at the bottom of a pipe. Take a "T" fitting, put a water trap on the bottom of the T, and then run your hose fitting just a little higher up. This will make sure that all of the moisture runs to the water trap, and not to your airline.

A pic would probably help:

SCOOBY14B · 07-29-02, 01:40

I am wanting to run air form my compressor in my basement into my garage upstairs. Went to home depot and the smallest pvc they had was 1/2" sch40. Was looking for 3/8.

Anyone that has done this give us your layout and any pics.

NattyBumppo · 07-31-02, 07:30

Quote:

Originally posted by SCOOBY14B
I am wanting to run air form my compressor in my basement into my garage upstairs. Went to home depot and the smallest pvc they had was 1/2" sch40. Was looking for 3/8.

Anyone that has done this give us your layout and any pics.

I've never seen pvc used for air lines and since pvc is mostly used for waste lines, traps, etc, you may have a tough time finding pipe that small anywhere. Mostly galvanized steel is what I've seen for air lines.

germancarnut · 07-31-02, 08:45

Actually, PVC air lines are becoming more common - easier to work with and less expensive than galvanized. I think you would be better off using 1/2" instead of 3/8" to get more stable pressure and volume - is there a reason you don't want to?

One other thought - you may want to check with the local building code police to make sure PVC is approved for air lines in your area.

laynlow · 07-31-02, 09:36

I agree. PVC airlines are very common. 1/2" pipe is fine. Most of that stuff is rated for 300psi so 135-150 psi isn't a problem. In fact, the only shop I remember having steel lines was a factory with a bunch of pneumatic sewing machines. High volume and high pressure made steel necessary.