Pneumatic manifold

G'day again.

Starting to re-populate the 'to-be-built' workshop ready for the insurance company's agreement on rebuild costs. Managed to get hold of a compressor to replace the one which was sea-damaged. I'm thinking of making a fairly permanent installation with the compressor in the rear of the carport rear wall - this backs onto the new w/shop. I'd like to run a feed tube through the wall and have a manifold outlet - 3,4,6?? Are such things available plus suitable feed tube and would it be feasible safety-wise etc.?

Any comments welcome

Rgds

Bill

Bill,

It sounds like a perfectly reasonable idea

and the components are readily available.

Glad to hear you are making progress.

MichaelG.

Hi Bill, if you run the tubing around the wall then you can attach outlets where you want. Bear in mind that if you have a long run and there is a temperature variation between the compressor and the outlets you may get condensation in the pipes. You need and air dryer in the system before the outlets and a drain cock at the end of the run. These are all items available from air product dealers and they have diagrams of how to do and what to use. There should be a drop towards the end of the pipework so that water can run down towards the end. I was draining every other day but my pipe run was some 100ft.Even then I sometimes got water out of the nozzle!

Clive

Michael, Clive and John, thank you.

I don't think I shall be using it for windy drills or similar - just running supplies for a couple of Wilesco and Mamod sets, so nothing too demanding. My previous compressors have been standard noise generators and I always viewed them with slight alarm ... anything that noisy MUST be about to explode!! The replacement is a Bambi, so much less wear and tear on the nervous system!! Location choice is between IN the w/shop, insulated, dry, dehumidified or in the carport high salt water humidity, variable temperature etc. so probably no contest!!

Rgds

Bill

Thank you, John.

That is an interesting point - presumably, over grass the humidity is increased? Very relevant here 'cos being within 30' or so of the sea, humidity levels vary between 50 and 90% - direct variation with the tide state! Makes installation INSIDE w/shop more sensible, methinks.

Rgds

Bill

I think for your needs the hard plastic pipes will be easy, all fittings are easy and cheap and no worries about water corrosion, still have to fit drains tho'. If you know a brewery /pub fitter they have allsorts of pipes and fittings, or an HGV fitter may be better. If I was starting out again I would get a good compressor and use air tools as much as poss.

Jack

Bambi compressors are much happier living inside. In air conditioned humidy controlled labs they can last for decades at moderate, guess 25%, duty cycle.

Clive

Hi Cornish Jack

Droppers are the way to go if you can hang them off the roof. Set them above head height, ideally as high as you can reach, Then make up a few short leads to plug into them when needed.

If you are fitting a dryer to your line it should be away from the compressor. Compressing air heats it; if the dryer is near the compressor the air will be too hot, above the dew point for water and the water vapour will condense out after the dryer defeating its purpose.

Regards
John