Air line size question

G

Grabbit

I was reading the manual for my compressor and is says to use 1/2 hard lines for anything under 50ft and 3/4 for anything over. Is the performance or CFM going to drop if I use 1/2 over 50ft? Copper piping is about 50% more expensive between 1/2 and 3/4 inch. A 10ft section is $10 for 1/2 versus $15 for 3/4. I know my compressor is already a bit under powered from what I've read on here. It is a Husky 60gal single phase 13.4 CFM@40psi, 11.5@90psi. I plan on using low CFM guns an going slow. I'm also shooting small VWs not 50s Cadillacs. Any thoughts?
 
Look at it another way. You already see your compressor as a bit too small, and if your VW work is not likely to stop tomorrow, then in all likelihood you may be replacing the compressor with a slightly larger one (more cfm) where the 3/4 line would make more sense for the added volume. I'd run the 3/4 and the air line will be ready for the future..
 
Honestly I do think of my compressor as a bit small but only compared to what info I've read here. I'm not looking to do large completes but that doesn't mean I don't want to do things right. The only thing I'm worried about is losing CFM. I'm going to do about 60 ft of copper line and then filters/desiccant. Im hoping 1/2 will suffice.
 
As long as you run the air at the compressor output PSI
through those lines the 1/2" won't hurt your CFM,
Now if you reduce the pressure to gun PSI's like below 40,
then it makes a big difference.
That's why it's recommended to run high PSI to the gun
and regulate it down there.
But at the output PSI of a compressor (above 100) you'll
never see a loss.
 
jcclark;37905 said:
As long as you run the air at the compressor output PSI
through those lines the 1/2" won't hurt your CFM,
Now if you reduce the pressure to gun PSI's like below 40,
then it makes a big difference.
That's why it's recommended to run high PSI to the gun
and regulate it down there.
But at the output PSI of a compressor (above 100) you'll
never see a loss.
Click to expand...

^ Good to know. That is exactly what I plan on doing. Sounds like I need to get going on this so I can get this thing painted while its warm.
 
I got 60ft of 1/2 copper line to plumb this thing. I need to go about 20ft horizontally which i will tilt towards the drain valves. Question now is will the remaining piping I have condense more water if plumbed horizontally or vertically?
 
Airlines.jpg

Thoughts on running the airlines like in the picture?
 
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