New Compressor Recommendations

Pulled iron pipes and just as I suspected they were full of rust. Ended up going with 3/4 copper and shark bite fittings. I have a HF air dryer. How far do y’all recommend for the air dryer to be from compressor? Is 20 ft of copper enough between compressor and dryer?
I personally think 20ft is ok. Throw a coalescent filter in between for oil.
 
Not with sharkbite fittings that I use v

Don
You get air tight seal with them? I was going to build a manifold with 40ft or so of copper I think I’d go broke with the shark bite route. I could see just doing straight runs it wouldn’t be too bad though.
 
Those driers (not high intake temperature) need the air cooled down before air enters. Lots of variables as to how high the temperature of the air leaving your compressor will be, and how much it will cool through the copper. 20 feet will probably be fine, 30 feet would be better. I have a water trap and a coalescing filter right before the dryer.
 
You get air tight seal with them? I was going to build a manifold with 40ft or so of copper I think I’d go broke with the shark bite route. I could see just doing straight runs it wouldn’t be too bad though.
Yep no leaks. Not cheap though.

Don
 
Has anyone ever experienced any issue with contamination from copper? Maybe from flux, sweating joints, etc?
I have sweated joints in my setup now. Never any issue. Never an issue at places I've worked that had copper lines I don't see how it could be an issue. Irregardless proper filters would take care of any contamination.
 
I am collecting 3/4 pipe and fittings right now. Have to buy a little every week or so to soften the blow.
I have sharkbite fittings i use at work but never thought of using on air lines. Good to know
 
I am collecting 3/4 pipe and fittings right now. Have to buy a little every week or so to soften the blow.
I have sharkbite fittings i use at work but never thought of using on air lines. Good to know
I actually just finished my copper install last night. I used the sharkbite fittings and they sealed up tight without any leaks. It is strange to come in my shop and not have any air leaks lol. I for sure have to play music now to avoid the awkward silence in my shop.
 
To be safe when running copper air lines, clean the ends if the tubing with sandpaper and the fittings with a fitting brush, and use a mild flux like Rectorseal Nokorode. Stay away from any flux marked as "self cleaning" as they all have acids in them that will corrode any metal they contact over time. The only way to get rid of the residue is to flush the lines with hot water.

Given the price of copper tubing and fittings, and fittings like sharhbites in particular, it's hard to justify using anything other than PEX for air lines in a small to medium size shop. The burst strength is about 3X the highest air pressure you'd ever run, and if it springs a leak down the road it doesn't explode like PVC. Just keep it out of direct sunlight and it'll last for years. The crimp ring fittings aren't expensive, and stainless ones are actually a bit cheaper than brass.
 
it's hard to justify using anything other than PEX for air lines in a small to medium size shop. The burst strength is about 3X the highest air pressure you'd ever run, and if it springs a leak down the road it doesn't explode like PVC. Just keep it out of direct sunlight and it'll last for years. The crimp ring fittings aren't expensive, and stainless ones are actually a bit cheaper than brass.
Once you've used PEX, you won't even consider anything else.
 
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