Air Compressor Set Up

[Ridger]

I just recently bought an air compressor for my home shop. Its a Quincy Q13160VQ 3.5-hp, 60 gallon, rated at 14.6 cfm @ 40 psi and 12.4 cfm @100 psi with 1/2 inch air outlet. I would eventually like to pipe it throughout my shop with 1/2 inch flexible air line with at least one air connector on each wall. My thought is to keep as much of the line 1/2 inch to avoid any restrictions. This got me started looking at air plugs and connectors and I didn't realize there are so many types and sizes. Most of what I currently use on my small compressor is I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT on a 3/8 inch hose. From what I can find out, the I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT are rated up to 30 cfm. I don't have any tools that are big air users (impact @ 8 cfm, plasma cutter @ 4.8 cfm) but would like to make sure I install a system that will handle larger cfm if needed.

I guess I'm looking for some guidance on which would be the best size air plugs and connectors to use without sacrificing too much loss of cfm. Would the I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT be sufficient or would you go with something larger? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I would like to know what you have for your air compressor setup and what are your suggestions. Thank you for your time.

 

[foobert]

I think you're over thinking it

Unless you are going to (briefly) run a huge sand blaster off that compressor, I doubt you'll ever find your couplers to be the issue.

Edit: as for the hard-line around the shop, I'd keep that at 1/2" as you mentioned -- hardly any cost savings in going smaller unless you are doing something silly like plumbing it with copper pipe

 

[fried1765]

I just recently bought an air compressor for my home shop. Its a Quincy Q13160VQ 3.5-hp, 60 gallon, rated at 14.6 cfm @ 40 psi and 12.4 cfm @100 psi with 1/2 inch air outlet. I would eventually like to pipe it throughout my shop with 1/2 inch flexible air line with at least one air connector on each wall. My thought is to keep as much of the line 1/2 inch to avoid any restrictions. This got me started looking at air plugs and connectors and I didn't realize there are so many types and sizes. Most of what I currently use on my small compressor is I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT on a 3/8 inch hose. From what I can find out, the I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT are rated up to 30 cfm. I don't have any tools that are big air users (impact @ 8 cfm, plasma cutter @ 4.8 cfm) but would like to make sure I install a system that will handle larger cfm if needed.

I guess I'm looking for some guidance on which would be the best size air plugs and connectors to use without sacrificing too much loss of cfm. Would the I/M 1/4" body, 1/4" NPT be sufficient or would you go with something larger? Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I would like to know what you have for your air compressor setup and what are your suggestions. Thank you for your time.

Congratulations on buying your Quincy!
I bought a 5HP, pressure lubed, 2 stage, 175psi, 20 cfm, Quincy, with 80 gal vertical tank, 30 years ago.
I still have it.
A magnificent blue piece of machinery!

 

[PaulR]

OP, I've got your exact setup, I went with the Rapidair line kit and everything I have is Milton Hi-flow.
I'm not a pro-mechanic, just a home hack, but you can def. notice the difference with the Milton HI flows.

 

[dlsmith]

I have a Quincy QT-5 I bought over 30 years ago. I change the compressor oil every 2 years, replace to inlet filter at the same time, and have had to replace the belt once. They are pretty much bullet proof.
I have a 32 X 48 building, and ran 1" schedule 80 ABS pipe around three sides of the shop, fed with a -16 Stratoflex hose from the tank, with tees at each pole, every 8 feet. When I had my trucks, I could run a 1" impact fed with a 1/2" hose on the far end of the line with very little pressure drop.

 

[DustyRusty]

I have 2 Quincy air compressors, one is a 60-gallon twin with a 5 HP Baldor motor, and the other is a QT5 2-stage vertical compressor with an 80-gallon horizontal compressor tank. You can't beat the quality of the Quincy. A few years ago, I came across a Quincy 100-gallon horizontal tank with two 2stage heads and two 5 HP motors, and it was priced right, at $1000, but it had 3-phase motors. I regret not buying it to this day.
I just bought 2 RapidAir Master 3/4" kits that were on sale at Runnings for $159 each. Even if you are going to use another brand, I would go to their website and use the layout diagrams that they offer for free. https://www.rapidairproducts.com/draw-it If you want the best advice about laying out your garage, then sign up for www.garagejournal.com. The guys on that site are extremely knowledgeable, and you can spend a day just reading and learning about air supplies. Personally, I would go with the 3/4" vs the1/2", since 3/4" will carry twice the volume of the 1/2" pipe. The rule of thumb is double the size and increase the capacity by 4 times. Doesn't matter if it is oil, water, or air.