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!

 

[GSD-Keegan]

I recently bought Milton high flow couplers…on Amazon. I did notice an increase in flow compared to my old brass couplers. However these new couplers are aluminum and I wouldn’t buy them again. My routine habit developed over the years is to disconnect the air tool and drop the hose to the floor. This marked the coupler up pretty quick…and eventually bent the outer sleeve on the female quick connect. They nick up pretty quick with sharp nicks to cut up the hands. One already garbage after a few drops to the garage floor. My fault for buying as other people doing reviews warned me of this issue. Going back to brass couplers next time…

 

[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.