# Plumbing an air system. **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [May 8, 2009, 10:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497 "2009-05-08T10:11:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![suzukiriderman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/suzukiriderman/32/7421_2.png) [@suzukiriderman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/suzukiriderman)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 10:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/1 "2009-05-08T10:11:43Z")
Does anyone here know how to do this the right way? I can run pipe and connect it but I want this done right. This will be with 1 1/2" pipe. Any websites that can assist with this? ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 10:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/2 "2009-05-08T10:27:00Z")
Umm, what? I’m sure I could answer all of your questions, if I knew what you were asking. Pressure? Flow rate? Application? Air source? Wet? Dry? Oily? Other contaminants? Outdoor installation? Connections? Threaded? Welded? ---
**Author:** ![suzukiriderman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/suzukiriderman/32/7421_2.png) [@suzukiriderman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/suzukiriderman)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 10:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/3 "2009-05-08T10:33:28Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > Umm, what? I’m sure I could answer all of your questions, if I knew what you were asking. > > Pressure? > Flow rate? > Application? > Air source? > Wet? Dry? Oily? Other contaminants? > Outdoor installation? > Connections? Threaded? Welded? I didn’t think those things would really matter if someone knows how to run an actual air setup like in a shop. I’m not trying to just stick some pipes together. pressure: 120-160 psi. flow rate: 375 cfm application: media blasting Dry, filtered air hence the need for proper plumbing. I currently use a hose. Indoor installation 1 1/2" threaded connections with ball valves and drop-offs. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/4 "2009-05-08T11:01:14Z")
Is 375 the peak flow, or average flow? I’m not too familiar with media blasting, but if your flow profile is just short bursts it’d probably be a lot cheaper to use smaller piping and have a buffer tank at your point of use. Just a though if you’re looking to save money. If you don’t want a buffer tank cluttering up your work space then a big line is a good idea. There doesn’t really seem like there’s much to this. What type of pipe are you going to use? Iron? Galvanized steel? Use teflon tape on all your threaded connections. Don’t overtighten them. Pressurize the system and spray all the joints with mildly soapy water to check for bubbles. Keep in mind that a “bad” leak won’t show up with this method though. But anything that bad you should be able to feel. Put a ball valve at all your points of use so you can isolate any problematic connections/equipment. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 12:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/5 "2009-05-08T12:16:19Z")
Is 375 CFM the peak flow of your compressor? ---
**Author:** ![Maksim2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@Maksim2000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Maksim2000)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/6 "2009-05-08T13:51:25Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > Is 375 CFM the peak flow of your compressor? That’s a nice compressor… ---
**Author:** ![97FormulaWS-6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/97formulaws-6/32/7384_2.png) [@97FormulaWS-6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/97FormulaWS-6)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/7 "2009-05-08T13:52:30Z")
That’s a crazy compressor right there… 375CFM is industrial size… ---
**Author:** ![Maksim2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@Maksim2000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Maksim2000)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/8 "2009-05-08T13:58:43Z")
1.5" you’re probable stuck using black steel pipe and NPT fittings. Will probably be too pricey to run type L or K copper. As long as the air is dry the steel shouldn’t be an issue. Type L is probably ideal… ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/9 "2009-05-08T13:59:16Z")
> [@Maksim2000](#): > > That’s a nice compressor… > [@97FormulaWS-6](#): > > That’s a crazy compressor right there… 375CFM is industrial size… he runs a media blasting business… ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/10 "2009-05-08T18:24:13Z")
> [@Maksim2000](#): > > 1.5" you’re probable stuck using black steel pipe and NPT fittings. Will probably be too pricey to run type L or K copper. As long as the air is dry the steel shouldn’t be an issue. Type L is probably ideal… Why not PVC? ---
**Author:** ![n20junkie](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/n20junkie/32/7396_2.png) [@n20junkie](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/n20junkie)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/11 "2009-05-08T19:04:41Z")
1 1/2 pvc cannot safely contain those pressures. Ever see what happens to a 1 in PVC pipe when its under pressure and hit with something. You will swear a bomb went off in the shop. Metal dents. plastic shatters. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/12 "2009-05-08T19:07:11Z")
Yea Ill give you that. I didnt think about something breaking it. ---
**Author:** ![Maksim2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dec6dc/32.png) [@Maksim2000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Maksim2000)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/13 "2009-05-09T20:26:14Z")
> [@n20junkie](#): > > 1 1/2 pvc cannot safely contain those pressures. Ever see what happens to a 1 in PVC pipe when its under pressure and hit with something. You will swear a bomb went off in the shop. Metal dents. plastic shatters. Yeah, what he said. You might be able to use PEX if you really want to run plastic. Might build a static charge tho. Oh yeah, if you run steel pipe make sure you allow for water drainage by putting tees on transitions to vertical runs and ball valve at the bottom to release dirt and water every once in a while. Edit: [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/5/8/589fa14716e33c8bb16e52dba811dcecc2c20ace.jpeg) ](https://www.webbikeworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/compressed-air-line-layout.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![walter](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/walter/32/7202_2.png) [@walter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/walter)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 9:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/14 "2009-05-10T09:01:47Z")
^ link doesn’t work, just go to [http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/compressed-air/](http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/compressed-air/) ---
**Author:** ![JEG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jeg/32/7246_2.png) [@JEG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JEG)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/15 "2009-05-10T10:23:45Z")
What about galvanized pipe? I’d imagine that should work no problem as long as you have the proper diameter pipe. edit: if you need help building the system let me know. I was a plumber for 2 years. ---
**Author:** ![Bronco32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bronco32/32/7358_2.png) [@Bronco32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bronco32)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/plumbing-an-air-system/67497/16 "2009-05-10T15:05:28Z")
Jesse you still having the moisture problem on hot days?