In 1984 I worked in a small factory in Indiana. It was lunchtime and I and a friend were out in the parking lot looking at a new car I'd just bought (my first brand new car). We heard a horrible series of explosive/cashing/falling sounds from inside. We rushed in, and the newer half of the factory was a shambles. Shelves knocked over, supplies scattered all over the floor, lighting fixtures hanging by their wires, pieces of PVC pipe in shattered pieces, total chaos and carnage. That side of the factory was plumbed with PVC for air, all of the plumbing hanging from the ceiling on chains with drop-downs at the individual stations and machines. It cracked somewhere and a chain reaction happened which took out pretty much all of the PVC on that side of the factory. Fortunately, it happened at lunch, and no stragglers were left behind, someone would have been hurt or killed if everyone had been working. The older half of the factory that used iron pipes for the air supply was totally unharmed. I'd never consider running air through PVC after that. Way too dangerous.
Many years ago my dad had PVC air lines in his garage/auto shop. I don't know exactly what triggered it (I vaguely recall something about there being two failed safety valves) but my mom and I were in the yard nearby when it blew. Even from a distance the sound was really something. He was actually in the building when it happened and for the few seconds until he came out the door yelling "I'M OKAY!" I was dreading what we might find in there. There were sharp chunks of PVC just everywhere inside.
Does PVC piping decompose by ageing? I only remember 2 20 years old large BIC lighters (still about 2/3 full?, the type with adjustable flame size), those one day had lost all the remaining butane gas. The yellow plastic of it was full of fine cracks those made it leak (hopefully not at an ignition source). I am not sure if the butane chemically reacted with the plastic, or if they generally crack by pressure after a while.
When my father redesigned his shop. He bought a used cargo container. Put his compressor in there. Then ran 2" diameter pipe around the inside of the shop and to his spray booth. He used much larger than normal pipe to effectively increase the storage volume of the tank. It was a large compressor. I think 250 gallons. But I believe the 200'+ of pipe doubled that, allowing for a very steady flow. He also had a dryer to remove excess water from the air to prevent contamination of the automotive paint. The compressor rarely turned on but when it did it was quite muted. You'd hear a low rumble. But I thought it was pretty ingenious. So I share his thoughts with you and your followers so they might carry on for him.
Mine is right under my main work bench it’s steel frame with plywood sides and I lined it all with insulation and despite how close it is it’s really quiet
A couple of days to install air lines, sounds like a "One day build" to me, Adam. We'd love to see it. It inspires us to do the same and it really is a game changer 😉
I use the soft polyurethane pneumatic tubing that you can buy in bulk from a company like automation direct, and push connect fittings to get it all routed. Ends up being cheaper than anything I could find and is rated for industrial automation so it's not going to fail
I use to work as a compressor tech/pipefitter. Aircom or Prevost air piping is a really good way to go for adding air infrastructure. Its all aluminum, the fittings are super simple to put together and maintain, and it's easy enough to mount if you get the black brackets that they make for them.
I have helped my now, ex boss's, brother remove this kind of system from a building which the tenant moved and told my boss and his brothers they could have whatever was left. So we took the system out and put it up in the shop I was working at. Very easy to take down and set up! And made so you can customize it to your needs very easily!
"Every shop is an externalization of a philosophy of how to work. And that philosophy is eihter coming from the person who runs that shop or the group of people who utilize that shop." Savage 7:04. Quotes like this are the gold i mine the internet for.
Our thanks to Tested members Trevor Flowers, MrMobius2011 and Bertrand Le Roy for their questions and support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam a question: th-cam.com/channels/iDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA.htmljoin ArtBin storage boxes with removable dividers: amzn.to/3g5IQgy Thin ArtBin storage boxes: amzn.to/2LKHfig Double Deep ArtBin storage boxes: amzn.to/2WMwmmw Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
I like to use standard air hose for distribution but where it will be used, I put a 10 gal tank, all running tank pressure. Regulate the pressure after the branch tank. You can get aluminum tire fill tanks pretty cheap that fit between your rafters or go under a bench. Mount them upside down so that you can create a drip leg/drain. BTW, I worked in an office where they used PVC for compressed air. It was hilarious because every few weeks a union or fitting would blow apart. Boss finally had us replace everything with black pipe after we come in on a Monday morning to a compressor with a dead motor. Some fitting had blown and the compressor can continuously until it fried the motor. Good 5HP electric motors aren't cheap.
THANK YOU for the tirade against PVC air lines. It's a battle I fight all the time with people who don't understand how PVC can be rated for use with compressed liquid but not for compressed gas.
The air delivery issue hits close to home with me, for so many aspects. Systems and processes that I know if I dedicated a day or two for each issue, I could put in hassle free, automated, or semi-automated solutions. But I struggle to put that time aside, instead preferring to jump through whatever hoops are necessary at the time. Each time I lose maybe five or so minutes, and in my mind I tell myself that is acceptable. But over the course of a year, I've probably used up the four or five work days I need to correct everything, in working through extra efforts that would be solved. It is something I really am going to attempt to rectify. Both in terms of getting those alterations made, and in trying to move my mindset from "Validate why it is okay to waste this time a few minutes here and there" over to "It is okay to devote a couple of days to my infrastructure needs, to provide a better work conditions, and service, long term."
A friend bought a house with a garage that had been set up to work on cars. He and I were removing the (poorly executed) PVC air piping that was installed by the previous owner. We were working out there in winter; and we were shocked by how easy the pipes broke once we removed the hangers and started ripping stuff out. PVC air systems? Yeah, bad idea.
I use to install/repair air compressors and air lines. I remember one job at a scissor lift rental place where I had to remove old pvc air lines. Once I depressured the line I didn't have any need for any tools other than a hammer to remove their old lines. I was almost completely able to rip and snap the pipe off the wall by hand. The hammer was just for smashing any pipe fittings that were giving me trouble.
We did 3/4 copper at work 17 years ago and ZERO issues. At a previous shop they ran an 1-1/2" black iron grid with plugged Ts every 10'. Then T'd down with copper. I am working on combining my garage compressor and house compressor with 1/2" orange PEX. So when I need a lot of air both compressors will run together.
You could operate a Kanban system, where you have a little slip of paper at the back of the drawer which you pull out and drop in a pile when your remaining quantity falls to a limit, that pile of paper is then your reorder list.
For cheap storage I have used plastic peanut butter jars. I have many implementations of them including the typical "screw the lid to the underside of the shelf" approach and a rack I made that looks like a giant spice rack. They are cheap (free), clear, so you can see what you have, and the plastic is very resilient.
Compressed air pex is available, it’s very affordable, lots on kits available on amazon with push to connect fittings included. High pressure rated . HIGHLY RECOMMEND Let’s start a campaign for a video of him updating his compressed air system, I bet with a certain amount of likes we could get him to do it!
As a retired plumber, I cringe whenever I see anyone using ANY plastic pipe on a compressed air system. Manufacturers sheet says "DO NOT USE ON COMPRESSED AIR"
i use uponor press fittings for air, water and gas. it has a metal layer so no chance of bursting. and no chance for rusting as the internal layer is nylon.
I like PEX for air and have used it in my home shop for years. I use a UV Rated PEX which has a 12 vs 1 month UV rating period. The PEX also isn’t subject to any direct UV exposure. I’d never use PVC or CPVC. I have a friend that used polyethylene for an air line between his shop and house, though it’s underground, he hasn’t had issues with it in like 20 years. I would look at the pipe/tubing specifications and go from there; PEX is rated, at least the one I use, to around 250 PSI at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
I'm curious as to why. Static buildup? Chance of failure? I can see where it would have a higher failure rate, but it seems like a burst plastic air line would be an inconvenience at best.
@@talyrath Hard plastic pipes, PVC, CPVC and ABS cannot withstand the pressure spikes that occur in compressed air, and the failure would be explosive, with shrapnel thrown everywhere at the failure site, ask me how I know. Soft plastics, like PEX, PE and vinyl are more forgiving to pressure spikes. Also most PEX and PE pipes are rated to 200 psi @ 80 degrees F. where PVC, CPVC, and ABS are only rated to 150 psi at 78 degrees F.
I once saw a pressurized schedule 80 PVC pipe get bashed. It blew off a chunk of 2 inch cap that deformed the end of a shotgun barrel it hit. Thankfully no one was hit, but its basically like a grenade going off in your shop when it fails in that scenario. Whatever you choose to run make sure its not something that turns to shrapnel when it fails.
a tip for re ordering, put the stuff you have used up in a bin that you can use to go through at the end of the day nd make a list of how much stuff you used and then check if you need to order more i have an old 25 liter thinners drum i turned into a "dead labels" bin, i use that to dump the stuff i use during the day or week and make a list when i have the time to do it, if i just chuck the used up stuff straight in the trash i can forget easy great call on the pvc, never thought about impacts from shop stuff
For Storage in my Garage (I'm a Small Engine Mechanic), and in my Den (For storing Model Paint for Styrene Model Vehicles), I have found that using Tackel Boxes and Organizers from "PLANO" to be of great Build/Form/Function!
Thanks, Adam! I've been struggling with sorting my pen nibs and it was like, Doh! One of these trays would be perfect with what I've got and ordered a very inexpensive set of tray boxes. Don't know why I've been struggling with Altoid tins for so long!
For my small part storage I utilize fishing lure boxes. They're cheap and easy to find at sporting good stores. They're pretty reliable too, and customizable.
you get 'silent' compressors now , its really nice Ofc not completely silent but enough so that if i fire it up on a sunday my neighbours won't be annoyed at me. Its so much better than normal compressors
PEX B with crimp Rings is a great way to run air. I got a cheap manifold tap set from Harbor Freight, but the piping was crap. So, I used standard packs with crimp rings and brass fittings, and it worked out really well. Also, it's a lot easier and faster to do than sweating copper. So someone who isn't an expert at plumbing and do it.
My thoughts on air. I own a machine shop and used to do a bit of steam fitting so based off that experience. My shop is plumbed with 1/2" copper and I HATE it. In fact I hate it so much I will be ripping it all out and redoing it with sch40 black iron pipe. It is a lot more work, and a lot less convenient if you aren't set up to thread cut pieces of pipe as you go. But it's a forever system you will be happy with. Copper gets dented, copper gets belt, even anchored as well as is practical if someone yanks on a hose they can damage the copper line it's attached to. It's just not well suited to exposed piping in a shop.... Also at least in Canada you are required by code to use the heavier type L copper and either braze or silfos the joints, not soft solder. The other option (as bad as it looks) is to run PEX. It's fast, cheap, and safe. Won't shatter like PVC, and you can bend it to run in awkward places. It's ugly, but I'd put it somewhere between copper and black pipe performance wise
I used to be an industrial air compressor technician and if you want easy installation without the sketchy of pvc then you should try aluminum pipe. It's fairly new to the compressor game but honestly is a fantastic solution.
Your right theres a little country store below my house stop buy one year when it was cold weather middle of the winter and he had a propane heater plumbed in with pvc I said oh my god no way I told them they have a death wish
NOTE: An important part of COMPRESSED AIR PLUMBING that is not often talked about is; the plumbing should cool the air and then separate the water that falls out from it. Ideally after coming out of the tank and rising to the ceiling you'd want a large diameter long run of slightly downhill sloped pipe where at the other end is a tee fitting. tee fitting installed so the leg is out the top of the long run, from this vertical up leg you u-turn and come down to where your regulator/drier/ point of use is. The long run can then continue slopped downhill to other top tapped points of use -or- when terminated be elbowed down to a drain valve. This system is optional for intermittent air usage, but if running continuously where the tank will ultimately become warm/hot your air will remain free of moisture.
Hey Adam and team! Do you have any tips on how to get back to basics with a work shop? For Christmas I’m cleaning and organizing my grandpa’s work shop. It’s been in chaos for years and he doesn’t enjoy the space anymore. All I wish, is to see him again at his lathe with his big papa smile.
I did my Air lines with 1/2 in type L copper pipe and Viega ProPress fittings. Ferguson plumbing rents the press tool and that made it a simple system to install. My compressor is in a shed in my back yard and the majority of my air access points are in the garage on the other end of the house. I did ProPress because I am terrible at sweating copper and the time needed for each joint with the press is only a few seconds.
Remembering to restock something might be the one thing that pushes me toward using Alexa eventually. I just need "sharpies" in my cart so I see them the next time I buy something. It doesn't have to be the brand, style, or quantity I need, just the thing. I can sort the details out at the computer or on my tablet later. I just trust Amazon even less with a microphone than I trust Google, and I barely trust Google. But Google is already on my phone.
ArtBin are made by Flambeau (the tackle box company). They also make the same type boxes, but with ZeRust dividers to help prevent rusting. The one for fishing tend to cost less for some reason.
This can apply to normal household things too. I always have plenty of soap and that kind of thing. Its always cheaper to buy that kind of stuff in bulk and you will use it all eventually. Once you open that last package of toothpaste or whatever order more right away, don't wait until that one is empty and you are out of toothpaste.
Have you considered using a kanban system or other lean tools for ordering supplies? Basically the last box of a supply has a card on it with reorder info, store quantity to order, etc. That way when you open your last box of anything you are reordering. The card with order info is called a kanban.
At my previous job (IT administration, just like now but at another organisation) I was kinda jealous one day when I was there to assist the Dräger contractors with the software side of some testing PCs that had to be connected to our network. Basically new setup for one of our fire department buildings, large compressor in a separate room that was well insulated with some large high pressure buffer tanks (rated for higher than 300 bar that the breathing air cylinders take). Really nice custom made steel pipes leaving the compressor room through the ceiling, passing over the hallway to the equipment room and coming down into the room there again. Then from there high up along the walls to the breathing mask test stations and the cylinder filling manifolds. Wouldn't mind something along the walls just as neatly out of the way like that at home although I would be totally fine with just regular shop use pressures in the system, both the price on those and the periodic certification tests on high pressure cylinders is a big nope from me if it's not needed. But for that I'd first need more space than my current shed, I don't even have the luxery of having the compressor far away (10m at most) or contained in an insulated setup. So a reasonable tank size so it doesn't have to run too frequently and a long line is what I have to deal with along with hearing protection headphones that have a mediocre sound quality + bluetooth makes its use acceptable. Not that good audio quality would really be all that noticeable with the attenuated noise that still makes it through when using tools.
I would love to see a video on the soundproof box you made for the air compressor. I tried something like that for my compressor and it barely helped at all.
The doorbell gets me every time, as i have the same tone. My friend is away for christmas so I am dog sitting, and they leapt up when they heard the bell thinking it was her 😢
Adam, look into the semi rigid nylon air lines used for industrial processes. Push to connect fittings (it's what sharkbite fittings were modeled after) Its a very flexible system, and you can change it around easily and re-use fittings. It might be a good solution for you.
PEX tubing is incredibly flexible and is capable of handling those pressures. Easier to install than PVC and it can absolutely handle impacts without shattering.
PEX works fine for compressed air. No shatter risk like PVC. Handles 150 PSI no problem. Just make sure any area with potential UV exposure is enclosed to protect it from that.
On the topic of storage, you do not have to buy everything at once. Try a few different options, and see what works for you. The "leftover" storage items usually find a use in the end, too, so there is no need to worry about making "wrong" choices. :)
ive put air in a couple of small workshops and i can say im fond of semi ridged/SharkBite systems like rapid air has also defiantly agree putting the compressor in a separate room make a world of difference one other thing to note for people considering air in there shop for the first time different compressors are very different in noise levels a big compressor has a much lower register and is a loot less annoying than something small like a portable pancake compressor, for me the quietest compressor heads ive come across came from California air tool, i had an old husky that wore out and was able to just get the compressor head from California air and replaced it was able to reuse the tank and pressure switch, the sound level was night and day
I started buying Sortimo boxes after your video. Had sorting boxes before that,but they were not versatile enough for my system. I’m trying to make a shop, where I can build or repair something without going I to the hardware store or auto parts store to get parts for my build/repair. Like wires, connectors, nuts, bolts, etc. organising my shop is a real struggle and mostly it’s a chaos 😬
Does your air compressor have access to an exterior wall or a sanitary drain? We plumbed the drain to a valve mounted onto a brace and then ran a pipe out the wall. But we do not have neighbors. If you have a sanitary drain you could run a hose to that and tap a fitting into it. Either way, when you periodically purge water from the pressure tank we can just stand there and open the valve and let the water flow outside until we quit hearing water moving through the valve and only air. That saved us from bending over to get to the valve on the bottom of the tank and we do not get water onto the floor.
I will have to disagree about PVC compressor line. I installed it in 2 Honda motorcycle dealerships where I worked, one in Chicago and the other in Atlanta, and it remained in service with little to no incident for 20 years in each shop. We used the 1/2 in 600 psi schedule 40. I returned to the Chicago shop after 10 years and was able to easily extend it into a second building and that building's basement. Granted, the owner was cheap and we should have had a second compressor, but that's not the point. No matter what you use, put valves at every convenient location so that you don't have to depressurize the whole system to do maintenance.
For unbuilt Lego, i have about 200 10l Rotho plastic boxes - they are great and fit neatly into Ikea Billys. Inside those boxes is zip-lock bags for stuff i wanna sort deeper than 10l.
There is a compressed air distribution system for workshops. It uses aluminum pipe with a clever clamping system for each tap. It showed up on the market a couple of years ago but for the life of me I can't remember the name. The pipe was blue and all you had to do for a tap was drill a 1/2" hole and put the clamp on.
Steve Summers and Keith Rucker both have great videos on their channels on shop air infrastructure. Steve's is more home shop sizing, Keith's is super shop sized.
I keep a notepad in my apron and I make lists. Most of my immediate needs are automotive and Ive got a few of those suppliers nearby as well as a truly wonderful "little bit of everything" ACE hardware five minutes away. That said I have decided to avoid using Amazon if at all possible. I might use the amazon cart as a shopping list but I will look for other sources first. Yep it totally smacks of virtue signaling but I am tired of having to suss out the vendor and reviews for quality; but most especially Im done with Amazon's WalMart behavior. Im sure Im not the only one and folks who count on affiliate links on amazon as a way to wet their beak should probably take note.
Might want to check out Edd China's workshop video where he installs air lines all around his shop (a segment sponsored by sharkbite, so you can guess how the lines are connected).
I worked in a car detailing shop some years ago with a pvc air system. Was all good untill a air line got tangled around the undercarriage of a truck we cleaned. When the truck got backed out it pulled the hose and shattered the pvc, which launched the metal quick connector into low earth orbit....luckly no one was in thr building except the person backing the truck out, but if it hit anyone it would have killed them no doubt.
Worse situation I've heard of of using PVC as air lines was a line running over some sort of a bin full of something like sawdust. A fire starts in the bin, melts the PVC and it created a blast furnace.😬
The plant I work in had pvc pipe all through it years ago after about 5 years it will spontaneously blow apart in random spots, schedule 40 black pipe everywhere now
I use Alexa with various shopping carts/lists (grossly organized by type of need) that I just yell out to if I notice I'm low on something. No stopping to get a list and write it down. "Alexa, Put number 42 drill bit on tools list"
A company I once worked for managed their whole tool ordering and usage with an Excel sheet. And they were an industrial machining Shop. Maybe you could buy some of those Mini pc's an put them around the work Shop they can Start on a timer an can access that excel sheet
Adam if you ever hire for a shop assistant I'm sure tons of people (myself included, I'm a college age artist, engineering student) would be champing at the bit to have that job xD
Worked in industrial food factories for decades. I've done removal and installs of production lines in buildings brand new to 100 years old. I've seen all manner of convayence of compressed air in a building, I don't think I've ever seen any of that pvc line ever used. One of my former temporary fab shops was in a 30 by 80 foot room that the compressors were in (that place was way to small), there was no escaping the sensation of the 50 hp auxiliary screw compressor kicking in.
I did some work in an abandoned WWII era machine shop. They had a separate small brick/block building just for the air compressor. Very smart. They also had a overhead crane that you moved back and forth manually. A chain hung down that ran through a 3' dia wheel on the top. I was AMAZED that you could put pressure on that chain with your pinkey finger and the hoist moved.
In 1984 I worked in a small factory in Indiana. It was lunchtime and I and a friend were out in the parking lot looking at a new car I'd just bought (my first brand new car). We heard a horrible series of explosive/cashing/falling sounds from inside. We rushed in, and the newer half of the factory was a shambles. Shelves knocked over, supplies scattered all over the floor, lighting fixtures hanging by their wires, pieces of PVC pipe in shattered pieces, total chaos and carnage. That side of the factory was plumbed with PVC for air, all of the plumbing hanging from the ceiling on chains with drop-downs at the individual stations and machines. It cracked somewhere and a chain reaction happened which took out pretty much all of the PVC on that side of the factory. Fortunately, it happened at lunch, and no stragglers were left behind, someone would have been hurt or killed if everyone had been working. The older half of the factory that used iron pipes for the air supply was totally unharmed. I'd never consider running air through PVC after that. Way too dangerous.
also totally illegal according to osha.
Many years ago my dad had PVC air lines in his garage/auto shop. I don't know exactly what triggered it (I vaguely recall something about there being two failed safety valves) but my mom and I were in the yard nearby when it blew. Even from a distance the sound was really something. He was actually in the building when it happened and for the few seconds until he came out the door yelling "I'M OKAY!" I was dreading what we might find in there. There were sharp chunks of PVC just everywhere inside.
Does PVC piping decompose by ageing? I only remember 2 20 years old large BIC lighters (still about 2/3 full?, the type with adjustable flame size), those one day had lost all the remaining butane gas. The yellow plastic of it was full of fine cracks those made it leak (hopefully not at an ignition source). I am not sure if the butane chemically reacted with the plastic, or if they generally crack by pressure after a while.
@@AerialTheShamen I'm not sure...
When my father redesigned his shop. He bought a used cargo container. Put his compressor in there. Then ran 2" diameter pipe around the inside of the shop and to his spray booth. He used much larger than normal pipe to effectively increase the storage volume of the tank. It was a large compressor. I think 250 gallons. But I believe the 200'+ of pipe doubled that, allowing for a very steady flow. He also had a dryer to remove excess water from the air to prevent contamination of the automotive paint. The compressor rarely turned on but when it did it was quite muted. You'd hear a low rumble. But I thought it was pretty ingenious. So I share his thoughts with you and your followers so they might carry on for him.
Mine is right under my main work bench it’s steel frame with plywood sides and I lined it all with insulation and despite how close it is it’s really quiet
A couple of days to install air lines, sounds like a "One day build" to me, Adam. We'd love to see it. It inspires us to do the same and it really is a game changer 😉
oh god yes
I use the soft polyurethane pneumatic tubing that you can buy in bulk from a company like automation direct, and push connect fittings to get it all routed. Ends up being cheaper than anything I could find and is rated for industrial automation so it's not going to fail
We just used pex tubing in our shop. Easy to adapt to npt at your outlets to fit quick connects.
The old military adage of "amateurs think of tactics, professionals think of logistics" applies to workshops, too. Quite a lot of things, in fact.
I use to work as a compressor tech/pipefitter. Aircom or Prevost air piping is a really good way to go for adding air infrastructure. Its all aluminum, the fittings are super simple to put together and maintain, and it's easy enough to mount if you get the black brackets that they make for them.
I have helped my now, ex boss's, brother remove this kind of system from a building which the tenant moved and told my boss and his brothers they could have whatever was left. So we took the system out and put it up in the shop I was working at. Very easy to take down and set up! And made so you can customize it to your needs very easily!
"Every shop is an externalization of a philosophy of how to work.
And that philosophy is eihter coming from the person who runs that shop
or the group of people who utilize that shop." Savage 7:04.
Quotes like this are the gold i mine the internet for.
Our thanks to Tested members Trevor Flowers, MrMobius2011 and Bertrand Le Roy for their questions and support!
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I like to use standard air hose for distribution but where it will be used, I put a 10 gal tank, all running tank pressure. Regulate the pressure after the branch tank. You can get aluminum tire fill tanks pretty cheap that fit between your rafters or go under a bench. Mount them upside down so that you can create a drip leg/drain.
BTW, I worked in an office where they used PVC for compressed air. It was hilarious because every few weeks a union or fitting would blow apart. Boss finally had us replace everything with black pipe after we come in on a Monday morning to a compressor with a dead motor. Some fitting had blown and the compressor can continuously until it fried the motor. Good 5HP electric motors aren't cheap.
THANK YOU for the tirade against PVC air lines. It's a battle I fight all the time with people who don't understand how PVC can be rated for use with compressed liquid but not for compressed gas.
The air delivery issue hits close to home with me, for so many aspects. Systems and processes that I know if I dedicated a day or two for each issue, I could put in hassle free, automated, or semi-automated solutions. But I struggle to put that time aside, instead preferring to jump through whatever hoops are necessary at the time.
Each time I lose maybe five or so minutes, and in my mind I tell myself that is acceptable. But over the course of a year, I've probably used up the four or five work days I need to correct everything, in working through extra efforts that would be solved.
It is something I really am going to attempt to rectify. Both in terms of getting those alterations made, and in trying to move my mindset from "Validate why it is okay to waste this time a few minutes here and there" over to "It is okay to devote a couple of days to my infrastructure needs, to provide a better work conditions, and service, long term."
A friend bought a house with a garage that had been set up to work on cars. He and I were removing the (poorly executed) PVC air piping that was installed by the previous owner. We were working out there in winter; and we were shocked by how easy the pipes broke once we removed the hangers and started ripping stuff out.
PVC air systems? Yeah, bad idea.
I use to install/repair air compressors and air lines. I remember one job at a scissor lift rental place where I had to remove old pvc air lines. Once I depressured the line I didn't have any need for any tools other than a hammer to remove their old lines. I was almost completely able to rip and snap the pipe off the wall by hand.
The hammer was just for smashing any pipe fittings that were giving me trouble.
We did 3/4 copper at work 17 years ago and ZERO issues. At a previous shop they ran an 1-1/2" black iron grid with plugged Ts every 10'. Then T'd down with copper. I am working on combining my garage compressor and house compressor with 1/2" orange PEX. So when I need a lot of air both compressors will run together.
You could operate a Kanban system, where you have a little slip of paper at the back of the drawer which you pull out and drop in a pile when your remaining quantity falls to a limit, that pile of paper is then your reorder list.
For cheap storage I have used plastic peanut butter jars. I have many implementations of them including the typical "screw the lid to the underside of the shelf" approach and a rack I made that looks like a giant spice rack. They are cheap (free), clear, so you can see what you have, and the plastic is very resilient.
Compressed air pex is available, it’s very affordable, lots on kits available on amazon with push to connect fittings included. High pressure rated .
HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Let’s start a campaign for a video of him updating his compressed air system, I bet with a certain amount of likes we could get him to do it!
As a retired plumber, I cringe whenever I see anyone using ANY plastic pipe on a compressed air system. Manufacturers sheet says "DO NOT USE ON COMPRESSED AIR"
i use uponor press fittings for air, water and gas. it has a metal layer so no chance of bursting. and no chance for rusting as the internal layer is nylon.
I like PEX for air and have used it in my home shop for years. I use a UV Rated PEX which has a 12 vs 1 month UV rating period. The PEX also isn’t subject to any direct UV exposure. I’d never use PVC or CPVC. I have a friend that used polyethylene for an air line between his shop and house, though it’s underground, he hasn’t had issues with it in like 20 years.
I would look at the pipe/tubing specifications and go from there; PEX is rated, at least the one I use, to around 250 PSI at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
I'm curious as to why. Static buildup? Chance of failure?
I can see where it would have a higher failure rate, but it seems like a burst plastic air line would be an inconvenience at best.
@@talyrath Hard plastic pipes, PVC, CPVC and ABS cannot withstand the pressure spikes that occur in compressed air, and the failure would be explosive, with shrapnel thrown everywhere at the failure site, ask me how I know. Soft plastics, like PEX, PE and vinyl are more forgiving to pressure spikes. Also most PEX and PE pipes are rated to 200 psi @ 80 degrees F. where PVC, CPVC, and ABS are only rated to 150 psi at 78 degrees F.
@@micahrogers4928 huh, thank you. I've never seen plastic pipe fail like that, it's always just split lengthwise.
I once saw a pressurized schedule 80 PVC pipe get bashed. It blew off a chunk of 2 inch cap that deformed the end of a shotgun barrel it hit. Thankfully no one was hit, but its basically like a grenade going off in your shop when it fails in that scenario. Whatever you choose to run make sure its not something that turns to shrapnel when it fails.
Thanks again for answering my question on the stream and reposting I hope others find it as helpful as me :)
a tip for re ordering, put the stuff you have used up in a bin that you can use to go through at the end of the day nd make a list of how much stuff you used and then check if you need to order more
i have an old 25 liter thinners drum i turned into a "dead labels" bin, i use that to dump the stuff i use during the day or week and make a list when i have the time to do it, if i just chuck the used up stuff straight in the trash i can forget easy
great call on the pvc, never thought about impacts from shop stuff
For Storage in my Garage (I'm a Small Engine Mechanic), and in my Den (For storing Model Paint for Styrene Model Vehicles), I have found that using Tackel Boxes and Organizers from "PLANO" to be of great Build/Form/Function!
Similar here as well. I have around 250 Plano 3700 series cases. No they are not the most durable but they are good enough for what they cost.
Those are excellent. I used to build folding knives as a hobby and used those same bins for all the little balls, bearings, pins, tiny screws, ect
The Plano tackle boxes are so incredibly versatile. We use them as paramedics to hold our medications
I have like 8 tackle boxes for my different hobbies that have special tools. helps cut down clutter a TON
Thanks, Adam! I've been struggling with sorting my pen nibs and it was like, Doh! One of these trays would be perfect with what I've got and ordered a very inexpensive set of tray boxes. Don't know why I've been struggling with Altoid tins for so long!
I’m just now noticing your Wilton vice on the bench over your right shoulder. Very nice!
For my small part storage I utilize fishing lure boxes. They're cheap and easy to find at sporting good stores. They're pretty reliable too, and customizable.
you get 'silent' compressors now , its really nice Ofc not completely silent but enough so that if i fire it up on a sunday my neighbours won't be annoyed at me. Its so much better than normal compressors
PEX B with crimp Rings is a great way to run air. I got a cheap manifold tap set from Harbor Freight, but the piping was crap. So, I used standard packs with crimp rings and brass fittings, and it worked out really well. Also, it's a lot easier and faster to do than sweating copper. So someone who isn't an expert at plumbing and do it.
My thoughts on air. I own a machine shop and used to do a bit of steam fitting so based off that experience.
My shop is plumbed with 1/2" copper and I HATE it. In fact I hate it so much I will be ripping it all out and redoing it with sch40 black iron pipe. It is a lot more work, and a lot less convenient if you aren't set up to thread cut pieces of pipe as you go. But it's a forever system you will be happy with. Copper gets dented, copper gets belt, even anchored as well as is practical if someone yanks on a hose they can damage the copper line it's attached to. It's just not well suited to exposed piping in a shop.... Also at least in Canada you are required by code to use the heavier type L copper and either braze or silfos the joints, not soft solder.
The other option (as bad as it looks) is to run PEX. It's fast, cheap, and safe. Won't shatter like PVC, and you can bend it to run in awkward places. It's ugly, but I'd put it somewhere between copper and black pipe performance wise
I used to be an industrial air compressor technician and if you want easy installation without the sketchy of pvc then you should try aluminum pipe. It's fairly new to the compressor game but honestly is a fantastic solution.
I had never considered distributing air with PVC. The thought makes me cringe, so I'm glad my instincts were right on that one. Hope no one got hurt!
Same
Your right theres a little country store below my house stop buy one year when it was cold weather middle of the winter and he had a propane heater plumbed in with pvc I said oh my god no way I told them they have a death wish
@@tonythompson9049 propane plus pvc pipping and inside wow that was a death wish
@@tonythompson9049 that's...horrifying.
NOTE: An important part of COMPRESSED AIR PLUMBING that is not often talked about is; the plumbing should cool the air and then separate the water that falls out from it. Ideally after coming out of the tank and rising to the ceiling you'd want a large diameter long run of slightly downhill sloped pipe where at the other end is a tee fitting. tee fitting installed so the leg is out the top of the long run, from this vertical up leg you u-turn and come down to where your regulator/drier/ point of use is. The long run can then continue slopped downhill to other top tapped points of use -or- when terminated be elbowed down to a drain valve. This system is optional for intermittent air usage, but if running continuously where the tank will ultimately become warm/hot your air will remain free of moisture.
Hey Adam and team!
Do you have any tips on how to get back to basics with a work shop?
For Christmas I’m cleaning and organizing my grandpa’s work shop. It’s been in chaos for years and he doesn’t enjoy the space anymore. All I wish, is to see him again at his lathe with his big papa smile.
Thank you for answering my question!
I’m with you dude. I want my stuff when I need it.
I did my Air lines with 1/2 in type L copper pipe and Viega ProPress fittings. Ferguson plumbing rents the press tool and that made it a simple system to install. My compressor is in a shed in my back yard and the majority of my air access points are in the garage on the other end of the house. I did ProPress because I am terrible at sweating copper and the time needed for each joint with the press is only a few seconds.
Remembering to restock something might be the one thing that pushes me toward using Alexa eventually. I just need "sharpies" in my cart so I see them the next time I buy something. It doesn't have to be the brand, style, or quantity I need, just the thing. I can sort the details out at the computer or on my tablet later. I just trust Amazon even less with a microphone than I trust Google, and I barely trust Google. But Google is already on my phone.
On the next episode of Tested: Adam plumbs his shop for compressed air.
ArtBin are made by Flambeau (the tackle box company). They also make the same type boxes, but with ZeRust dividers to help prevent rusting. The one for fishing tend to cost less for some reason.
This can apply to normal household things too. I always have plenty of soap and that kind of thing. Its always cheaper to buy that kind of stuff in bulk and you will use it all eventually. Once you open that last package of toothpaste or whatever order more right away, don't wait until that one is empty and you are out of toothpaste.
Have you considered using a kanban system or other lean tools for ordering supplies? Basically the last box of a supply has a card on it with reorder info, store quantity to order, etc. That way when you open your last box of anything you are reordering. The card with order info is called a kanban.
I made an extension tube for my 60 gallon compressor drain. A 90° bend, tube, ball valve and tailpipe. Works great and very very easy to access.
I was thinking of putting a solenoid valve on mine so I can put it on some kind of timer switch.
At my previous job (IT administration, just like now but at another organisation) I was kinda jealous one day when I was there to assist the Dräger contractors with the software side of some testing PCs that had to be connected to our network. Basically new setup for one of our fire department buildings, large compressor in a separate room that was well insulated with some large high pressure buffer tanks (rated for higher than 300 bar that the breathing air cylinders take). Really nice custom made steel pipes leaving the compressor room through the ceiling, passing over the hallway to the equipment room and coming down into the room there again. Then from there high up along the walls to the breathing mask test stations and the cylinder filling manifolds.
Wouldn't mind something along the walls just as neatly out of the way like that at home although I would be totally fine with just regular shop use pressures in the system, both the price on those and the periodic certification tests on high pressure cylinders is a big nope from me if it's not needed. But for that I'd first need more space than my current shed, I don't even have the luxery of having the compressor far away (10m at most) or contained in an insulated setup. So a reasonable tank size so it doesn't have to run too frequently and a long line is what I have to deal with along with hearing protection headphones that have a mediocre sound quality + bluetooth makes its use acceptable. Not that good audio quality would really be all that noticeable with the attenuated noise that still makes it through when using tools.
What would it take to have you do a video on upgrading your compressed air situation? That is definitely a video I'd love to see.
1 inch sch 40 steel pipe covers our 10k sq foot shop. Taps every 40 ft. @120psi
Schedule 80 PVC is awesome for air set ups. No chance it will shatter, super durable, cheap and easy to set -up.
I've seen a couple of shops now that are run with PEX it's quite nice if properly installed with SharkBite fittings.
I would love to see a video on the soundproof box you made for the air compressor. I tried something like that for my compressor and it barely helped at all.
The doorbell gets me every time, as i have the same tone. My friend is away for christmas so I am dog sitting, and they leapt up when they heard the bell thinking it was her 😢
Adam, look into the semi rigid nylon air lines used for industrial processes. Push to connect fittings (it's what sharkbite fittings were modeled after) Its a very flexible system, and you can change it around easily and re-use fittings. It might be a good solution for you.
PEX tubing is incredibly flexible and is capable of handling those pressures. Easier to install than PVC and it can absolutely handle impacts without shattering.
PEX works fine for compressed air. No shatter risk like PVC. Handles 150 PSI no problem. Just make sure any area with potential UV exposure is enclosed to protect it from that.
On the topic of storage, you do not have to buy everything at once. Try a few different options, and see what works for you. The "leftover" storage items usually find a use in the end, too, so there is no need to worry about making "wrong" choices. :)
Yes!! Love the topic!
ive put air in a couple of small workshops and i can say im fond of semi ridged/SharkBite systems like rapid air has also defiantly agree putting the compressor in a separate room make a world of difference one other thing to note for people considering air in there shop for the first time different compressors are very different in noise levels a big compressor has a much lower register and is a loot less annoying than something small like a portable pancake compressor, for me the quietest compressor heads ive come across came from California air tool, i had an old husky that wore out and was able to just get the compressor head from California air and replaced it was able to reuse the tank and pressure switch, the sound level was night and day
Air lines work great when on a retractable reel !😎👍
I started buying Sortimo boxes after your video. Had sorting boxes before that,but they were not versatile enough for my system. I’m trying to make a shop, where I can build or repair something without going I to the hardware store or auto parts store to get parts for my build/repair. Like wires, connectors, nuts, bolts, etc. organising my shop is a real struggle and mostly it’s a chaos 😬
Does your air compressor have access to an exterior wall or a sanitary drain?
We plumbed the drain to a valve mounted onto a brace and then ran a pipe out the wall. But we do not have neighbors. If you have a sanitary drain you could run a hose to that and tap a fitting into it. Either way, when you periodically purge water from the pressure tank we can just stand there and open the valve and let the water flow outside until we quit hearing water moving through the valve and only air. That saved us from bending over to get to the valve on the bottom of the tank and we do not get water onto the floor.
I will have to disagree about PVC compressor line. I installed it in 2 Honda motorcycle dealerships where I worked, one in Chicago and the other in Atlanta, and it remained in service with little to no incident for 20 years in each shop. We used the 1/2 in 600 psi schedule 40. I returned to the Chicago shop after 10 years and was able to easily extend it into a second building and that building's basement. Granted, the owner was cheap and we should have had a second compressor, but that's not the point. No matter what you use, put valves at every convenient location so that you don't have to depressurize the whole system to do maintenance.
Same reason you NEVER use PVC as a fireworks launch tube. A failed lift will result in PVC shrapnel going everywhere.
ABS stretches/tears instead of shatters. That's what I've learned to use, or the good old standard...cardboard.
I think you meant Huot drill bit cabinets, which believe it or not is pronounced "Hewett"
They're amazing. I use them for my taps and dies as well
For unbuilt Lego, i have about 200 10l Rotho plastic boxes - they are great and fit neatly into Ikea Billys.
Inside those boxes is zip-lock bags for stuff i wanna sort deeper than 10l.
Just ordered my first set of sortimo 6 cases should help keep my small garage more organised.🇦🇺👌🏼
The best method for compressed air systems is to use PEX. It's cheap, easy to setup, and does not burst/break like PVC.
May as well run a few vacuum lines for dust collection while you're already running air lines. It won't really be any additional labor.
There is a compressed air distribution system for workshops. It uses aluminum pipe with a clever clamping system for each tap. It showed up on the market a couple of years ago but for the life of me I can't remember the name. The pipe was blue and all you had to do for a tap was drill a 1/2" hole and put the clamp on.
Sounds a lot like RapidAir FastPipe
Maybe you are thinking of AIRnet. This is what I use in my shop for air distribution.
I have always seen "NOT FOR PRESSURE" on all PVC pipe. It is hard enough to drill and bolt together without it shattering.
Steve Summers and Keith Rucker both have great videos on their channels on shop air infrastructure. Steve's is more home shop sizing, Keith's is super shop sized.
I keep a notepad in my apron and I make lists. Most of my immediate needs are automotive and Ive got a few of those suppliers nearby as well as a truly wonderful "little bit of everything" ACE hardware five minutes away. That said I have decided to avoid using Amazon if at all possible. I might use the amazon cart as a shopping list but I will look for other sources first. Yep it totally smacks of virtue signaling but I am tired of having to suss out the vendor and reviews for quality; but most especially Im done with Amazon's WalMart behavior. Im sure Im not the only one and folks who count on affiliate links on amazon as a way to wet their beak should probably take note.
Might want to check out Edd China's workshop video where he installs air lines all around his shop (a segment sponsored by sharkbite, so you can guess how the lines are connected).
Pays to check to see if someone else already made the suggestion :) Completely agree.
Please can you show us your sound proof cabinet for your Compressor? Would be really useful!
There's plastic tubing rated for compressed air, but it has thick walls.
Your door bell is the same tone as my parents clock and I live next door I heard it and thought dear God it can't be that loud
I worked in a car detailing shop some years ago with a pvc air system. Was all good untill a air line got tangled around the undercarriage of a truck we cleaned. When the truck got backed out it pulled the hose and shattered the pvc, which launched the metal quick connector into low earth orbit....luckly no one was in thr building except the person backing the truck out, but if it hit anyone it would have killed them no doubt.
Sorting and storage is a journey. Just make a plan and adjust with your experience
Great input on PVC!
Worse situation I've heard of of using PVC as air lines was a line running over some sort of a bin full of something like sawdust.
A fire starts in the bin, melts the PVC and it created a blast furnace.😬
Huot makes the drill indexes and cabinets. Wonder what brand bits he buys?
I sense a conspiracy, Adams most used drill bit is 42 and the meaning of life is also the number 42. There has to be a connection. 🤔
The plant I work in had pvc pipe all through it years ago after about 5 years it will spontaneously blow apart in random spots, schedule 40 black pipe everywhere now
I use Alexa with various shopping carts/lists (grossly organized by type of need) that I just yell out to if I notice I'm low on something. No stopping to get a list and write it down. "Alexa, Put number 42 drill bit on tools list"
PEX is ok. It expands and bubbles, then pops like a plastic bag without shrapnel and only at like 600 psi
Racco boxes are great
A company I once worked for managed their whole tool ordering and usage with an Excel sheet. And they were an industrial machining Shop.
Maybe you could buy some of those Mini pc's an put them around the work Shop they can Start on a timer an can access that excel sheet
Does it bother you when you realize the cost of expendable exceeded the cost of actual materials?
Adam, how do you manage heat buildup in that soundproof environment for your compressor?
Adam if you ever hire for a shop assistant I'm sure tons of people (myself included, I'm a college age artist, engineering student) would be champing at the bit to have that job xD
"slay the dragon of my lego collection"... You have a lego collection?!?!?! Please showcase it some day!
I feel like I could walk around my shop for 3 weeks just organizing and still not be done.
Worked in industrial food factories for decades. I've done removal and installs of production lines in buildings brand new to 100 years old. I've seen all manner of convayence of compressed air in a building, I don't think I've ever seen any of that pvc line ever used. One of my former temporary fab shops was in a 30 by 80 foot room that the compressors were in (that place was way to small), there was no escaping the sensation of the 50 hp auxiliary screw compressor kicking in.
I did some work in an abandoned WWII era machine shop. They had a separate small brick/block building just for the air compressor. Very smart. They also had a overhead crane that you moved back and forth manually. A chain hung down that ran through a 3' dia wheel on the top. I was AMAZED that you could put pressure on that chain with your pinkey finger and the hoist moved.
compressed air, pvc piping, i see you like to live life on the edge.
Hey Adam, check out Prevost aluminum tubing.
Sounds like its time for a 1-day shop-infrastructure build... =D
always use steel pipes for compressed air systems!
Follow up question; what's the difference between a popsicle stick and a tongue depressor?
Tongue depressors are wider and longer. Much better for mixing epoxies and paints etc
Adam try out Kanban or the likes.
Those are intended to offload the anxiety outside of you heaf to paper cards.
Lol i need the savage Santa mug, and the measure once cut twice patch 🤣
Darice boxes are readily available for a buck or two at thrift stores
Rapidair Fastpipe is what you should look into if your looking for a quality Solution for your compressed air needs
what about Pex tubbing for compress air
Who would use PVC for an air system?
Curious to know what you use the pipe cleaners for?
I like using hem for cleaning mass air flow sensors (automotive) and other things with small orifices.
The closest thing I have to this is inventory management in games like Monster Hunter