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We plumbed our machine shop with Schedule 80 1” PVC back in the early 80’s when we built it. Biggest mistake we ever made. The lines from the compressor sitting outside started failing within 6 months, guess the UV made the PVC brittle. So we re-piped with steel pipe from the outside into the building and to the input side of the filter/regulator unit. Then over the next 10 years or so, it continuously failed and blew apart, starting closest to the compressor (we assumed heat in the air might have been the culprit) but gradually got to the point where we had failures throughout the shop.

Exploding PVC pipe or fittings is nothing to be nonchalant about, when they let go, you get a missiles of small plastic pieces headed somewhere. We were just lucky nobody ever got hurt, probably because most of the lines were 16’ overhead and the pieces lost a lot of the force by the time they went down to shop level.

Since then I won’t plumb with anything but copper. It is or at least was at that time, against code to use anything less than schedule 80, and it had to be the gray industrial stuff. We checked at the time and although it was “legal”, I sure wouldn’t do it again.

Brian Lamb

blamb11@...

On Jan 28, 2017, at 7:04 AM, George george954679@... [felder-woodworking] <felder-woodworking@...> wrote:

A lot of people I know use Schedule 40 or Schedule 80 PVC pipe to plumb their air lines. A friend/neighbor uses Schedule 80 in his automotive repair shop. He installed it over 10 years ago. He has two 60 gallon compressors operating in tandem providing air for ? 3-4 mechanics working simultaneously. They are in there wrenching 8-10 hours a day,5-6 days a week. ?Roland Johnson wrote an article in Fine Woodworking a number of years ago warning against PVC. He thought it could explode if you hit it sharply with something. I guess it's possible, but I have 3/4" Schedule 40 in my shop and feel completely safe with it. Take that last statement for what it's worth. I haven't seen any proof one way or another. I'm no expert. PVC, hung with conduit hangers. Quick, cheap and easy.

On Jan 22, 2017, at 8:13 PM, Brian Lamb?blamb11@...?[felder-woodworking] <felder-woodworking@...> wrote:

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You can use “Sharkbite” fittings on copper lines. The do have the stainless grippers, but you can slide a tool (I usually use an open end wrench the right size) to un-compress the bite portion and slip the pipe and fitting apart. It is important to properly deburr the pipe inside and out so it doesn’t cut the o-rings, but if done right, they don’t leak.?

I have some in household water applications that have been in place for many years now with no leaks, and I used a few in spots in my current shop for the air lines. I tend to solder segments of the airlines together on the ground, then lift them in place and assemble with a sharkbite. Back when I did it, about 7 years ago on this shop, the fittings were still rather pricey, but they have come way down.

Brian Lamb

blamb11@...

On Jan 22, 2017, at 2:32 PM, Luckensmeyer David?dhluckens@...?[felder-woodworking] <felder-woodworking@...> wrote:

A warning about that blue aluminium air pipe. There are many brands, but from what I've seen they all work similarly/the same. It's a quick system design, usually with plastic fittings and aluminium pipe. Joints are push fit and thread-tightened together, using rubber o-rings to complete a joint.?

This system is comparatively expensive and does NOT work. I have it, and hate it. No matter what I do, it leaks at the joints. I have been meticulous in preparing and cleaning joints. However, leaks persist. The plastic fitting can only be tightened "so much" which is sometimes not "enough". If the joint has any sideways pressure on it, it leaks. The joint is supposed to be reversible so it can be re-jigged and re-used. Nope! Sure, you can get a given joint apart, but there is a steel serrated washer inside which helps close the o-ring fit around the pipe as it is threaded tight. This serrated washer bites into the aluminium pipe surface. When taken apart, the pipe surface is "raunched" up and rendered useless without cutting off the chewed up end. Otherwise you get leaks. Even the plastic fittings can't be reused. Guaranteed to leak. I've found the fittings I have are single use only.?

This system is supposed to be quick. Which it is. It's supposed to be reusable and reconfigurable. Which it is NOT. It is supposed to be leak proof. Which it is NOT. It is supposed to be good value for money. NOT in my opinion!

Maybe some of you have had a very different experience with the blue stuff?

Warm regards,

David Lucky

On 23 Jan. 2017, at 6:57 am,?andy.giddings@...?[felder-woodworking] <felder-woodworking@...> wrote:

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I recall seeing this guy's install on YouTube - he's based in Belgium so not sure the brand of tube is even available here - does look like a neat and quick install?