Spring Shop Project: Completed - Air System

[Jim Becker]

In a thread I started not long ago, I asked about what folks would be doing for "spring shop improvement projects" and indicated that mine was to finally get the piping in for my air system...using hoses was getting old. Well, I managed to complete it this week using a few evenings and some time earlier today for the final touches. This should really make a difference, not just in convenience, but also in "air quality", especially for spraying finishes since I decided to take the "overkill" route with filtration, etc.

Type L copper was used...58' of it almost to the inch. Coming from the DC/Compressor closet, the system branches to both ends of the shop following the main DC trunk and has 2 drops in the south end, one in the middle and two in the north end. The entire system slopes back to the closet in case any moisture gets by the filter(s) with a loop of flex to enable easy draining.

Below are a few pictures of the installation:

1. The compressor was relocated as part of this project to get it out from in front of the breaker box (code) and provide a convenient mounting location for the filtration and auto-drain. The 240 circuit was also moved, but that was very simple since it's just to the adjoining wall and still next to the breaker box...same wire, same box, same outlet. (I think I used different screws to mount it, however... )
2. The filters and auto-drain are mounted on the backer board. Both of those black cylinders are filters...one is a dirt/water filter and the other is a coalescing filter to also insure any oil stays put. The IR auto-drain that I picked up from EBay not long ago is mounted just below them. Works great!
3. Because the compressor is now located where the cyclone filter used to hang, said filter needed to be relocated. Square to round adapters were purchased and the cartridge assembly was hung in the corner where the compressor used to live. This is a MUCH better arrangement and leaves full access to everything.
4. This is a picture of the drain connection at the bottom of the compressor. I sliced up an old hose and used new ends to make assembly simple...tape the connectors, screw them into the fittings and then connect the hose with little hose clamps. This also eliminates the chance of a leaky quick-connect.

The next post will contain a few more pictures...of some drops.

[Jim Becker]

Additional Pictures:

1. This set of air drops at the north end of the shop provides a regular outlet (on the bottom) and a special filtered and regulated drop for spraying finishes with my HVLP conversion guns. Putting the regulator on it means I no longer need it on the gun which makes it fit into smaller places. The white thing is an additional drying filter to insure the air has no moisture going to the gun. This little construction isn't pretty, but it will work out well for my needs. That standard drop will also make it easy to bring air to the tractor bay or out to the parking area for auto service.
2. This drop is over my bench area
3. And finally, this drop over the lathe gets a lot of use, especially when hollowing.

[Sam Blasco]

jim, that looks way too neat and tidy for a woodshop. looks like valuable time was spent (wasted some might say) that could have been used making shavings for a cradle or rocking horse. ;}.. really, nice job.

[Jim Becker]

jim, that looks way too neat and tidy for a woodshop. looks like valuable time was spent (wasted some might say) that could have been used making shavings for a cradle or rocking horse. ;}.. really, nice job.

LOL! Cradle...no. One would hope that a 4 year old and a 5 and a half year old wouldn't need one. But a rocking horse is a nice idea...after the toy box, however.

On a more serious note, I do try to keep the shop reasonably clean for both safety reasons and because I like it that way. It's a good habit to get into...clean up at the end of the day or at least the end of the weekend. 'Less to deal with later and easier to find things. Oh, and I'm anal...

[Ken Garlock]

Jim, it looks like a nice tidy job. I do have one observation. On my compressor the compressor pulley is also a fan to blow air over the compressor. With the pulley cage close the back wall, are you going to get sufficent cooling air flow over the compressor?

Looks good

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Man Jim, the plumbing wasn't that professional at the Ford dealership I worked at. I'm still dragging a hose around....a stiff, short, always tangled hose to boot!

[Jim Becker]

Jim, it looks like a nice tidy job. I do have one observation. On my compressor the compressor pulley is also a fan to blow air over the compressor. With the pulley cage close the back wall, are you going to get sufficent cooling air flow over the compressor?

The fan/pulley is nearly 4 inches from the wall. I don't think there is any air flow problem...and the compressor rarely runs.

[Mark Singer]

Jim,

That looks like a great system! You really did a great job!
Did your Oneida come withe the Becker option or did you order it without since you have it already?

[Jeff Sudmeier]

Jim, it looks like you have a great air system set up there! I don't yet have a decent compressor, but I have saved this post for reference for when I get one and have to run my lines.

[Per Swenson]

Jim,

Nice Job.
What's next?
How about one of those dark blue and green
air sanders.

Per

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Looks great to me Jim. Smart idea to put the regulator & filter in the line for your spraying needs. What are you going to do to replace all the fun you had dodging hoses on the floor?

[Russ Massery]

Nice job, Jim I used 3/4" sch40 pvc in my last shop worked great. I haven't done it yet in this shop but I do miss having not to trip over the hoses on the floor.

[Jim Becker]

Nice job, Jim I used 3/4" sch40 pvc in my last shop worked great.

Russ, you do know that PVC is not rated for compressed gasses?...Be really careful that nothing smacks that pipe when it's cold.

[lou sansone]

Russ, you do know that PVC is not rated for compressed gasses?...Be really careful that nothing smacks that pipe when it's cold.

I agree with jim on this one. I have used copper all over factories where I have been a plant engineer, without any incident. I did have a system that I designed for another military application that used hundreds of feet of clear 2 inch pvc pipe. someone did smack it when it was depressurized and I did not know it at the time. Upon pressurization, that hairline crack failed and talk about an atomic bomb going off !!!! not a good thing

nice job in the air install jim

lou

[Wes Bischel]

Well Jim, I have you to thank for giving me the "kick in the behind" to get my system up and running. No where near as impressive as yours - just a small "Y" set-up - no where near 58'!

The new layout of the closet looks like it will make access to everything much easier - well worth the investment in time.

OBTW - is the auto-drain activated by a pressure kick or timer?

Wes