[barney]

any one use pvc pipe to plum there shop with air, wanting to know the ups and downs about using it

[Jake_Dragon]

It could break and send shrapnel into your head I was looking at the same thing at one time and told not to do it because it wouldn't hold up the to pressure under constant temperature changes.

Use carbon steel pipe as discharge pipe material. Never use PVC or ABS. (PVC is easy to work with, but will not allow the hot air to cool quickly enough to condense the water in the compressed air. Also, in case of a compressor regulator failure, if the PSI inside the line were to go above the rated safety capacity, the plastic pipe won't just split, but will actually explode, producing razor-sharp projectiles which are sure to damage property and person.)

http://www.oldsmobility.com/air-compressor-piping.htm

[DougGass87]

it worked in my brothers shop a few years ago, but the piece was only about 5 feet long and has stuf around it that would keep it fron killing you....

i really wouldn't suggest it

[oldred]

A lot of people use PVC and it will not be hard to find someone who will encourage you to also but don't do it PVC is a looser all the way around, it is dangerous and just the poor cooling proprieties alone, which will contribute greatly to moisture in the lines, is enough to avoid it. IMO copper is the way to go but black iron or galvanized pipe works good too. There is some concern about rust in black iron pipe or the plating coming off of the galvanized and the arguments may have some merit however I have installed and maintained a lot of air systems of all kinds for many years and this does not seem to be a major problem. A properly set-up system is going to have a filter anyway as there is always the chance of contaminates in any system no matter what it is plumbed with. PVC is illegal under OSHA rules and for commercial use about everywhere and for a good reason!

[home brew]

A primer on air compressor piping:

http://www.ecompressedair.com/library/piping.shtml

A thread on this site:

Picked up a "new" compressor and torch

[Kevin45]

Some people use it and it works, the MAJORITY of people on this site and other sites AND the compressor companies are dead set against it. Then again, two people playing Russian Roulette....one person is always a winner. You feel lucky?

[LanceM]

Ten years ago I put in PVC for air. Used it for a long time with no problems. Then after reading about the hazzards thought it was time to change. The Scary part came when I took it out. The PVC was brittle as heck, didn't take but a slight bend for most pieces to shatter, and I mean shatter! Never been a better day for me than when I replaced it.

Made me a believer, went with copper and have never looked back. For all the reasons above it's the way to go, safer, less moisture in the line, and I think it looks better if that's worth anything...

Lance