Originally Posted by
country gent
My air manifold is so I can have the compressor outside the shop, so I dont need to listen to it run LOL. with te quick couples now Im only planning on one valve for the water drop. There will be 2 pressure gauges one on each wall. The important thing is the air drops come off the top of the mains so condensation dosnt enter the drops and enough fall to the main so condensate runs to the water drop. I will have 8 air couplers on each long wall for a total of 16 in the shop. thee will be 6 on the outside wall of the shop for in the garage. Basically there will be an air coupler on each side of the electrical outlets. Benefits of the manifold are 1) increase in stored air volume, some are enough that an actual air tank isnt needed. One can plant had a main air line down the center. 30' of 8" then to 30' of 6" to 30' of 4" and last 30' of 2". off of this were the individual lines. This provide enough volume that a tank wasnt really needed. My manifold from 1" and 3/4" will and around 6 gallons to the tank on the compressor. Maybe a little more. If I need to regulate air pressure Ill make a plug in regulator up to plug in where needed. Maybe 2. 2) the compressor is outside the shop where noise isnt an issue. It can run as needed. Listening to a compressor run for hours is tiring LOL. 3) saves floor space in the shop but the manifold does take up some wall space. 4) a couple shorter air hoses are all thats needed not as much running on floor to trip over. Im figuring 2 15' air hoses for general use and a 6-8 foot at each machine dedicated to that spot.
Mine will be black iron but have seen copper use also. ( where air purity was critical). Even the black Iron is pricey for a big manifold mine will have over 100' of 1" in it when done. I considered copper for awhile, soldered joints would be easier than threaded better seal and no rust problems but vibration in it can cause cracks. Im planning on 2 runs of 1" 30' long 8 stand pipes 1" by 6" tall 8 drops 1/2" by 6' and 2 couplers 12" apart on each side of the electrical boxes. The water drop line will be 3/8" X 7' to a valve and a short piece of 3/8.