Workshop Compressed Air Distribution.

[pwdrive]

Proper job Alan.

Lawrence.

[AlanBeckett]

Thanks Gents.
Now I think about it I have got some real Iron Fittings in the Pneumatics Drawer.

Alan

[Retired]

Hi,

Very well done Big Al I'm impressed. Our incoming water pressure was around 10 bar so the copper tube should be safe enough especially if you adjust the compressor pressure gauge to the maximum psi of your most demanding air tool.

What an asset it is to own a lathe and know how to use it; you got a nice production line going with turning the fittings but I think clean up afterwards would have been a pain? Turning brass is delightful but can prove dangerous because the waste material comes away as razor sharp shards which fly everywhere and is difficult to clean up around the tool post and carriage areas; I always seem to end up with a single shard stuck in a finger giving me electric shocks every time I touch something and as by this time my hands are always dirty I'm unable to remove the shard until I come up into the bungalow; do you suffer the same problem Alan?

The plastic pipe clips you have used are convenient and cheap but these tend to become brittle with age and tend to break; did you consider using copper saddles?

http://www.wickes.co.uk/copper-saddle-ba...rce=123_74&tmcampid=104&tmad=c&tmplaceref=PPC_ggl_0006635&tmcustom=mkwid|W5fPyZGt_dc|pcrid|7531858372|match||plid|&gclid=CL-GgdWKo7wCFdShtAodNlYAfA

I have considered plumbing my garage compressor in but for my use I simply wheel the compressor to where needed however when I wanted compressed air in my workshop to the rear of the bungalow I bought a new SIP compressor. This SIP compressor is only a small one but was supplied with a nice brad nailer; it proved a big disappointment though because the noise was most unacceptable; on the wooden workshop floor the compressor rattled the whole bungalow. I've since converted the garage into my workshop so the compressor noise is better contained.

What a lovely project though Alan and an inspiration to us all thanks for sharing it. Safety is a major consideration when playing around with compressed air and worth mentioning because many novices will be viewing this thread.

Have you installed an air/water separator and it will be interesting to learn how your pipework reacts regarding accumulating water which is difficult to eradicate but important if paint spraying?

An interesting thread Alan; keep up the good work.

Time I wandered into the garage before another day slips by.

Kind regards, Col.

[Yorkie]

Re pipe-clips, I just checked to see if they still use the term for 'stand-off' clips, which I thought was quaint even when I started as an apprentice back in 1954 'School Board' clips.

They were apparently given that term in the early 1900s - which sticks to the present day - because School Boards insisted on pipework being spaced from the wall so they couldn't harbour dust and germs. (Still didn't stop kids being treated with that ghastly purple 'gentian violet' ointment on sores on their faces, hands and arms, and being ostracised as 'lepers' by other kids - nothing to do with pipe-clips of course!). Happy days

(A bit like the term 'hospital radiators' which were smooth cast iron radiators and each single column could be reached through with a hand duster).

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p92644?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=googleshopping&utm_campaign=googleshopping&mkwid=1RoXsCxJ&pcrid=26799562823&gclid=CJ_8xO6so7wCFeXLtAodOgIAOw

[AlanBeckett]

Yes young Col, Brass is wonderful to turn but the Swarf is horrible. I spent some considerable time cleaning down, with the aid of the Air Line of course. I think I've got a bit of Swarf embedded in one of my fingers so a bit of Needle-work is called for. I always wear Safety Glasses but I can't turn in Gloves. Of course it was all a waste of time but easy enough. I should have asked the Old Plumber from York first, but who looks for 'Iron' when you want 'Brass'

I'm not a particular fan of that type of Pipe Clip, it's just that I had a job lot. I do indeed have some Copper Saddles but the thought of drilling twice as many holes put me off somewhat. I prefer the wrap-round type but that would have meant going out to get some.

There is indeed an Air/Water Separator and Pressure Regulator installed. It's set to 90 psi which in my experience is the usual 'Factory Air' pressure. Most of my tools seem to call for that Pressure. The Compressor also has a reasonably big Tank which catches a lot of water as well, and of course a Pressure switch so it doesn't run all the time. The switch trips at 150 psi. It'll do for the Pit.

Indeed young Col, get on with that Bandsaw so that you can attack the Lathe before Winter really sets in. I do this sort of job at this time of year because I can do some Metal Bashing and so on but small Components are a bit of a strain with freezing fingers.

Alan

[Tedzed1]

Excellent job Alan, I am most impressed.

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks for the link David; the School Board Clips are very reasonably priced.

We are alike Big Al in not wearing gloves at the the lathe which would be extremely dangerous anyway and goes exactly opposite to my training; no loose clothes to be worn; no rings or watches and long hair tied well out of the way whilst operating moving machinery of any kind. Gloves are OK for cleaning up though and for keeping my hands dry as I go around with the oil can.

As you say Alan 90 psi is plenty for a home workshop and a lot less than this for smaller air tools like spray guns; my HVLP paint spray gun runs at something like 26 psi and the last time I ran it I was as usual in a hurry dodging my cloud; I couldn't understand why it created such a fog until I noticed the compressor regulator was set at over 100 psi? (I can't get used to the bar system?). I'm sure you would be at home air boring down the pit Alan if your compressor trips at 150 psi? What hp is your big compressor?

Yes Alan I need to complete the bandsaw and to this end I applied the final top coat of paint to three of the components this morning so with luck I can start re-assembling it tomorrow then I can make a start on the Lorch lathe which I'm very much looking forward to; it's delightful working with frozen fingers (NOT). At last I'm now comfortable working in the garage with good lighting and heating but for most of the year the doors remain firmly closed against the weather. I don't mind brush painting but I do mind just how long it takes in allowing a full day between coats; I've seen a nice little Bergen touch up spray gun whilst at Rufforth Auto Jumble costing around £15; next time I visit I'll have a close look because I believe these are HVLP guns and could be very handy.

The rain has finally stopped but it's a black hole.

Kind regards, Col.