OT again..copper tubing

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Roy Suomi

Well-known Member

• Aug 20, 2008

• #1

Does anyone have a clue where to get soft copper 5/8" I.D. and 3/4" O.D. ...I need about 3 feet for an air compressor...I tried Graingers and various plumbing "houses" nearby..They have a thinner wall for refrigeration or thick wall 3/4" soft copper for home waterlines..

 

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steamnjn23

Member

• Aug 20, 2008

• #1

several years ago i worked on my air compressor. found my tubing in the HVAC dept. of home depot

 

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msb

Well-known Member

• Aug 20, 2008

• #1

Have you thought about having a hydraulic hose made to fit the compressor. It will out last a dozen copper lines.Well maybe two.lol. Try your NAPA store.

 

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Rex in Australia

Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Copper is not the best on a compressor. It work hardens under heat and vibration, ends up breaking.
Try steel and put some loops in the line to minimise the stress on it.
Rex

 

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rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

I agree on the hydraulic hose. Might even be less expensive.

 

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El Toro

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

I would go with the hydraulic hose too. This is
only No5 (5/16), but you can get any size with different end connections. I would get the swivel nuts and use tube fittings. Hal
PS: I made this one up myself.

 

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El Toro

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

That is Aeroquip hose and fittings. Hal

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

I used something like this except it had 3/4 tube size on each end...

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?operator=keywordSearch&search_type=keyword&QueryString=teflon+tubing&cm_mmc=PPC%3a%20Google-_-TPN%20-%20Plumbing-_-Teflon%20Tubing-_-teflon%20tubing



MAY GOD BLESS THE USA

 

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NCWayne

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Got to agree with the posts suggesting a flexible line vs copper. I've seen many compressors tied in with copper and sooner or later all of them had the problem described in the other posts, the line work hardens from vibration and heat and cracks. Funny thing is it always seemed to happen when the compressor was really needed. The only thing I will say different is get a line made up that is actually for air service, don't get a "hydraulic" line. With a true "hydraulic" service line the rubber will eventually deteriorate from the heat, especially right at the compressor discharge, and dry air and start leaking also. I watched that happen on our shop compressor within about 4 years (but it was a used line to begin with so that probably shortened it's life too). Many hydraulic shops will have the proper type hose to make up the line you need for air service or you can often get one premade through somewhere like McMaster Carr ot MSC.

 

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Leroy

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

I believe that is stanard type L tube and it is measured by inside diameter while refrigeration tube is measured on OD. My compressor is smaller than yours, uses only about a 3/8" line but the orignal aluminm tube was replaced 20+ year ago with copper and it is still good, the line is only about a foot long tho

 

Steve A W

Member

Location

Northwest Indiana

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

I worked on compressors for ten years and we allways used refridgeration copper tube.

You need to make a loop in the tube to relieve
the vibration. We never had one returned.

Put a nice pollish on it and it will ad to the
good looks of your shop.

 

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souNdguy

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

How hot do you think hyd oil gets?

soundguy

 

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Don c

Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Like Steave A W said, put a loop in line for vibrations, used them on a lot on large ref. systems..

 

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HENRY E NC

Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Try an air conditioning supply house. The problem is they sell it in 50 foot length. Go to your local large Air conditioning instalation co. They will sell you by the foot. Dont be surprised by the price. Nuff said Henry

 

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Glen D Anderson

Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Most hyd. oils and system components start to fail after 200 deg. F or so............compressor discharge temps CAN be over 300 deg. F. depending on press. and CFM.................

 

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Glen D Anderson

Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Not sure where exactly you need to install the line................if it's the compressor discharge copper and steel will work...........also a flexible version that uses a teflon liner and a braided stainless steel cover is available from most hyd. hose manufacturers(looks nice and is easy to work with)...........if it's the supply line from the compressor tank, many types of hose will suffice providing they're of adequate pressure rating..............

 

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Roy Suomi

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

AC tubing is too thin.... .035 compared to .060 thickness

 

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NCWayne

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

As Glen stated the air discharged from a compressor can get much hotter than hydraulic oil is typically allowed to get. That is only part of the problem though. What usually happens, for want of a "chemical" explination is that the rubber dry rots. With hydraulic oil it stays saturated and pliable, with nothing but huge amounts of hot air going through it it"s just like putting it in an oven and cooking it.
Like I said I"ve seen it happen on our shop compressor. I"ve also seen it happen several times to the air line on the drill booms of a customers machines. He"s got 4 drills and they each run a 1 1/2 inch hydraulic line nearly 20 feet long. The line only carries at most 140 psi and 250 CFM but because of the way their tensioned over the hose follower/carrier they have to run hydraulic hose simply for the strength and resistance to stretch and kinking given by the steel braid. The typical life of one of these hoses, before it dry rots and fails, is in the neighborhood of 3 to 5 years max.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Refrigeration grade copper is thicker wall than water tubing.Will work fine.If you cant find any ,send me your address. I have some scrap left over from refrigeration work I have done.Won"t cost you anything.

 

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Roy Suomi

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

Hey Tim , That would be great if you would send a piece..I need about 3 ft. to be on the safe side..I'll reimburse your freight charge ...Roy Suomi 10594 Ridgewater Dr. Painesville , Ohio 44077

 

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souNdguy

Well-known Member

• Aug 21, 2008

• #1

3-5ys on a soft, flexing line exposed to the elements ain't that bad.

soundguy

 

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NCWayne

Well-known Member

• Aug 22, 2008

• #1

Yeah, 3 to 5 years isn't that bad but if you use the proper type line it'll last alot longer. The way I've always looked at things if a job's worth doing it's worth doing right. Not to mention doing it right once usualy costs less than doing it half way right twice.

 

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Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

• Aug 23, 2008

• #1

I will be working out of town the first of this week. Will send it out ASAP.