Burying A Compressed Air Line

[@fatboyfester]

A huge thumbs up from me for calling 811 before digging !! As a gas utility worker we see lots of hit lines by home owners and contractors that don't bother with calling for locates !

[@BrittLouWho]

My boyfriend and I are renovating our home right now and we both watch your videos! Thank you!!

[@muaddubby]

Can't tell you how inspiring it is to see a woman get into all these types of jobs. My little girl watches me do them a lot, and its good to know she'll have female role models in this are as well. Very well done!

[@BradFLHT]

First of all, I think April did a fantastic job. I read some of the comments below, IF she wants to combat the moisture in the line all she needs to do is install an in-line coalescing filter at the discharge of the compressor tank. That will collect the liquids and particulates exiting the tank with the air. Since she ran the line out of her shop under ground and then through the attic, the compressed air will go through several temperature changes and that is what will create moisture in the line. The simple fix for that is called a "point of use" filter that will be installed at the end of the line where it connects to the hose reel. Both filters need to have a float drain in or on them with a drain hose to run what they vent to a drain to prevent making a mess. Installing a refrigerated dryer is a way to give a 35 to 40 degree dew point, depending on what Cody is using the air for; ie: air tools. I don't see the need in it. But, if he is painting or using the air for test equipment then some sort of dryer would be recommended and I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of that equipment to find out requirements. As far as the hole in the wall; I would use a piece of tin or flashing cut to allow the conduit through and seal to the wall.

[@iamlonefrog4252]

Hahahaha I love it, seems like when you reach a certain number of subs the D-bags come crawling out of the woodwork, all the love and support for a hard days work is traded for snarky, smarmy know it alls.
April, you are a gem! Love your go get em attitude!

[@brothaman4578]

Mounting the reel in the ceiling, genius.

[@MrTexas811]

Hey April!
First, we wanted to THANK YOU for calling 811 before digging! 2nd, thank you for spreading the message about safe digging! Our videographer has been a fan of your channel for a long time, since he's a woodworker and video guy himself! We can't wait to see what project you come up with next!!

[@AprilWilkerson]

:) That's awesome, tell him I said hello and I'm glad he enjoys the channel. Cheers.

[@arkansas1313]

April, this is a very nice, well thought out project....and I'm sure much appreciated!
Most men (at least 50%) would have spent 1-2 weeks trying to figure out the quickest and cheapest way for burying the conduit rather than just "grab a shovel and get it done". I applaud your ability, volition and will to do 'good hard work', makes you a "star in my eyes"!
Be sure you have all of your 'want to own' tools and machines on your Christmas List. Cody needs to see it, make it conveniently available for him to read each day (on the refrigerator door)...with a big circle around the most desired 'prize'....lol.
Thanks for the video.
....13

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

Cody's a lucky dude

[@JohnBare747]

Loved your dance, the "Ditch Digger's Stomp!" Doing some nifty projects there April, practical and useful and you get your reel back too.

[@jasonstarr6419]

Absolutely love watching your videos. Was doing residential and commercial construction from the mid-1970's for about 20 years, but still learn by watching you. I've been wanting to run an air outlet from the garage to out along the driveway, but have always seen galvanized or other piping used for air transport and really didn't want to do that. Would never have thought of PEX. have to steal your idea! Thanks. (oh, and Lucky Cody!)

[@gunterschone8402]

Nice video, April.
The idea I find super, especially the air line does not bother anyone.

[@rogerdrum5936]

April, just come to Houston and fix my shop like yours, please!!! Lol. I do exterior doors and I ship to FW and all over if ever you are in search of a new front door. I may even drive up there and do a video with you on installing a new door into existing jamb with a water return threshold. Great videos. My favorite Chanel by far.

[@zepplinkin]

Love your videos april!! Keep learning and doing great things!!!

[@sq3971]

FYI: A tip I learned from my master electrician brother-in-law. When you bury a non-metallic pipe, in order to find the buried utility at a later time, attach a length of copper wire to the pipe. This will allow the sensor device to pick up the utility. Good videos and keep up the good work. Viewer from McKinney.

[@rainerzufall689]

But there already is copper wire in that pipe, isn't it?

[@Thom4123]

Nice job you made it nice and clean looks great. On Cody's side he might want a additional water separates and a automatic pneumatic oiler for his tools. The only reason why I say this is that's what we have at our automotive shop (dealership) this way you know all the water is out and your tools are always clean and lubed.

[@billrimmer5596]

Great videos always!! My compressor is in my front garage 200 feet from my rear garage. Just used 1/2 pvc and buried with my electric lines. Your method is better. But no problems for 15 years. Once again thank u for a great channel!!

[@JasonBarre]

Really liked the detail of mounting the hose reel recessed in the ceiling. I will keep that one in mind for future installs. Thanks April!

[@ThriftyGarage]

April I always enjoy watching your videos. You always have a fun project you are working on and you always put the extra effort in to do a job right.

[@2300Kenzie]

The overhead (attic) installation of the hose reel is very smart. I have my large IR compressor in a storage room behind the house and run 3/4" copper pipe to the basement, garage, back yard and outside workshop. I will be installing outlets to the driveway and kitchen as well. Each has a ball valve cutoff & regulator. It is quite handy.

[@PWingert1966]

I would have run a cat 6 network cable as well so you can have hard wired internet connectivity in your shop from the house. But you might have had to go to a larger conduit. And I love the bumble-bee mini in the driveway!

[@Mongrel85]

That is a great idea, my new shop will be away from the house but I want to run an air line up there, will run cat 6 so it feeds connectivity back too!

[@Drmcunningham]

Bury more than one conduit. PVC conduit is cheap, digging is hard, and you never know what you might want in the future.

[@PWingert1966]

I was looking at the Ontario electrical code and they (Under section 12-012 subrule-1) recommend 600mm (About 24 inches) depth for conduit with wire carrying 750v or less unarmored. I also think this is to take you below the frost line as well so you conduit doesn't heave with frost penetration into the ground. I think 7 inches (210mm) may be quite a bit shallow.

[@PWingert1966]

colonelerotic I understand that but frost heave is still a consideration

[@86c5corvette]

She lives in Texas so 7" deep is fine

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

April, nice job, love the channel. Suggestion, if Cody finds him self not having enough air for intermittent high demand loads, like a large impact gun or the such. You could install a small tank in your attic, like 20 gallons or so. This will give a local reservoir that can supply a high flow and keep the pressure up for a short period of time. You can get them pretty cheap and it helps a lot. If you really want to be nice a check valve will keep the air in that tank when you become an air hog in your shop. Remember to run a drain line to a low point you can get to for periodic draining. Thanks for the videos you really do a great job on them and the editing.

[@mcseforsale]

That's a good idea. You can get one of those little 5 gallon tanks used for tires from the local auto store and just put it in series. That will give some good punch for things like air hammers or impact wrenches which really only need that extra "go" when you initially start using them.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks for the well thought out comment. I considered installing a holding tank actually but decided against it just because I didn't have one already around. However it's a great idea. Cody has been using the line for the past 6 months or so without any issues so I don't think any will pop up but if they do I'll certainly install one. : )

[@AtManUnlimitedMachining]

I wish I was 6 months ahead in videos! I'm lucky if I'm 6 days! Thanks again, and um, tell Cody to buy some bigger tools ;)

[@troublem8kerdave]

It's called a "Street 90", "Street Elbow" or just "Street Ell". (Also "Service Ell" depending on the industry).
Love your channel!

[@cheeto4493]

While you are right, just to clarify to others.
A Street Elbow is male on one end female on the other.
While a sweeping elbow is a large radius like she used as apposed to a regular 90° that is short and stubby (at least in the plumbing trade). Almost all 90°'s in conduit are sweeping, short ones require a pull port.

[@bernie9728]

A street 90 is a standard 90 with a male and female end. A sweep 90 is a street 90 with a long sweep radius. She used a "Sweep" 90. Sweep 90's are almost always used with electrical conduit. It makes it easier to pull long runs of wire, or in her case, hose.

[@Chris-yo4ks]

If you find that the volume from the line is not enough, you could always add a tank inline up in the attic. It would provide a larger volume for large air tools......If he ever finds that he needs more air.

[@royallhawaii]

You are a good wife April!! I'd love to have the compressor out of my shop!! I have an 80 gallon 6.5 hp inside with me and when if runs... it's LOUD! LOL I did stub a 220v line to the outside of the shop when I build it so that one day (when I have "extra" time) I can build a lean to on the outside and get the noise away from me! Enjoy your video and your enthusiasm!

[@jcsrst]

You are a very clever woman! Thanks for taking the time to make these enjoyable videos!

[@wjf213]

Good video. I'm not sure if it was already said, but I would put a rubber heater hose around that air line at each end where it meets the PVC so that the vibration does not slowly wear a hole in it, and it will vibrate just a little, no matter what. Keep up the great work.

[@mspeir]

You were scaring me for 3/4 of the video! I was mentally screaming: "NO! Do not use PVC as an air line!"
Well done!

[@gilunionhall]

mark - no problem with using PVC - I used it for my air lines and also my dust collection system. I installed them 20 years ago and they are still going strong

[@henrikvtcodes]

@@gilunionhall He meant PVC Electrical Conduit. Other types of PVC are ok, like you said.

[@billvoelp9839]

@@henrikvtcodes There is No PVC that is rated by OSHA for use with air... ratings on pressure for PVC are rated for water pressure which is different. The only safe way you can run PVC or CPVC is to encase it in metal conduit. The problem is not leaks it is explosion. Over time the plastic will keep blowing and filling and eventually weaken the plastic walls. When that happens - can be 1 year can be 30 years - and it will happen, it will explode with shards flying everywhere. You can use copper pipe or black iron but not PVC. You can also use tubing as was used in this video - but the tubing is not rigid so it will not explode and hurt anyone...

[@k9er233]

@@billvoelp9839 I really like April's videos and watch them all the time. I do agree with you that using unshielded PVC for air line is not a good idea. A buddy of mine used it in his garage to save some money over steel pipe. When I saw it, I advised him that it was unsafe. After about a year and a half, he was increasing the pressure above 90 psi to air blast some dirt out of the engine bay of his pickup when the line exploded, sending sharp shards of PVC all over the garage. He was standing by the compressor at at the end of the line, so he was not hurt, but his daughter often sat on a stool to watch him work. He was very glad that his daughter was in the house at the time, and immediately spent the money to replace the PVC line with steel. Your observations are spot on.

[@jimmybrown9595]

@@gilunionhall I installed 3/4 schedule 40 pvc over 25 years ago in the ground for my air lines 0 problems.

[@jarrodh88jh]

I love your videos. You are a very good teacher. One suggestion I have is more pallet projects. I know they are hard to work with but a lot of people are into reworking them. I would like to see some of the ideas you come up with.

[@talladegadude4852]

She has said previously (in comments on other videos) she does not build by request. She has too long of a list of her own, building what she needs/wants and brings a camera along. Besides, you'd never be able to make everyone happy.

[@borgman6672]

I like watching your videos April. I like the fresh ideas you come up with. Keep it going!

[@Retroweld]

There were a lot of great ideas and tips in your video. Great job!

[@AprilWilkerson]

: ) Thank you Douglas.

[@dejanira2]

The reel in the attic is a great idea. The two dogs playing were very cute. ;}

[@bencekovacs1368]

hogy lehet valaki egyszerre gyönyörű és ilyen barkács mester. ahh RESPECT!

[@akawireguy1197]

When you need to get the "slug" out of your holesaw, if the holesaw isn't jammed hard on to the mandrel often you can just unscrew it and use the drill bit through the mounting hole to force the slug out. Saves a lot of time over prying it out.
I have used slick materials like mylar sheeting to make discs that go in between the holesaw and the mandrel so the holesaw can always be removed by hand. They don't last forever but it sure is nice to just reach down, unscrew the holesaw and pop the slug out.

[@47thbulletin]

Keep it up April. You are one rad lady. I dig the videos and love that you are showing women all over that they can do it! You would make "Rosie" proud.

[@justaguynamedme8337]

April is so cool!!! Love seeing a woman doing this.

[@CarlinComm]

Best Wife Ever :) hehe
Love the idea of hiding the reel in the attic, that's very clever!

[@ypop417]

I would add an air tank in the attic with a drain drop in the garage this will trap water and give additional air storage for Cody's air line. Just my 2 cents worth!

[@WireWeHere]

Y Pop The comment I was looking for, good thinking. Adding an at use tank solves short term volume and moisture issues if purged correctly. A check valve at the tank inlet would insure full one time use of the tank's volume, in the unfortunate event you lose your supply air. There's a benefit locating the tank in a consistently cool location. Cheers

[@WireWeHere]

Y Pop The comment I was looking for, good thinking. Adding an at use tank solves short term volume and moisture issues if purged correctly. A check valve at the tank inlet would insure full one time use of the tank's volume, in the unfortunate event you lose your supply air. There's a benefit locating the tank in a consistently cool location. Cheers

[@ypop417]

Thank You Jim Marriott! I use to work maintenance in a shop with lots of air operated or assisted machines most had air tanks bolted to them just for that reason.

[@sniperwolfjs]

That was an awesome job April.

[@craigspakowski7398]

Great idea April. I share your concern about water collecting in the line. What about putting a T in the supply, just before it goes out the wall? A few feet of straight below, capped with a valve to drain the water and act as a water trap. The buried line would come out of the side of the T. One shop I worked in has no method of controlling the water and when using the paint guns you would watch water drops rolling across your fresh paint. ARGH!

[@theabandonedchanel]

Ground temperature lower than ambient = liquid water generation in you air line. Unless you are pre-drying your air it will be saturated and drop out water anywhere the temperature is lower than, usually, your receiver air temp. Water is hard to remove at the best of times, can form plugs, ice up an block lines etc. Good luck with you install, hope this helps. Loved the sawmill videos.

[@marceaton3128]

Didn't remind me of the River Dance, reminded me of giving Field sobriety tests and watching people trying to walk the imaginary line. Great idea young lady.

[@PWingert1966]

Actually it looks like what the kids do called shuffle dancing. there are lots of videos on youtube to see the style.

[@robertechols9094]

April..you do an awesome job on it all but I really like the simplistic style of your woodworking... I am a fellow Texan as well...keep up the good work!

[@elcam84]

Having done the same project years ago there are a few things I have learned from it. First put a dropped spot in the line in the ground and put in a tee. Then off the bottom of the tee run another pipe out of the ground. That one just needs a valve and can stay outside as it is your water drain. The pipe in the ground will accumulate lots of water because it stays cooler and the water will condense. Not so much in the summer as the ground gets very hot here.
Another is any time you dig a ditch always put in more than one pipe and bigger pipe than you need. You will need it for something in the future ie cat 5, tv cable etc.
Oh and also the line you ran will actually give him more air volume and less pressure drop than what he had because the inside diameter is much larger than the hose he was using.
I see you have the typical NTX clay soil but yours looks pretty easy to dig and no rocks. I live nw of fort worth and am the odd one as its all sand which is not as fun to dig as you think.

[@larryspeight8898]

Great idea...wish the ground was that soft here in the Arizona desert! It looks like you were teaching you dogs how to dig in the back yard and boy will they have fun with that!

[@JoshTrimble-yw4mf]

Love this video April

[@Mr.J0lllllll0]

Without a doubt this is the direction I would've went, awesome work!

[@JohnSublette]

Thanks for this proof of pex viability - have been considering plumbing my shop for air with pex. I'm ready now. :)

[@grahamalexander7230]

Lovely idea April, Given the run and such a shallow infill my guess is the airline with condense up especially in winter months so I would suggest you fit a very good quality water vapour filter at Cody's end to try an minimise ice up in the line

[@cameronabrams3285]

Those are a couple of sweet KDXs! I have an '83 myself that I'm currently restoring and I'm hoping to get to that mint of condition.

[@halfdippedcom]

I like how you put the hose real in the attic great us of space!!!!

[@tobinprowant10]

great project April. Very interesting ideas.

[@AprilWilkerson]

; ) Thank you Tobin. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@twoody2148]

at the end of our 160 ft run we put a extra air tank. it helps with the surges that are sometimes need like for air tools. and also works as a condensation collection tank

[@krn14242]

Another fine job April.

[@abasalqashami5070]

awesome work

[@2testtest2]

Watching someone dig a hole has never been this engaging ;). Great work.

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

Nicely done April !

[@samaker4]

Cool build April. Thanks

[@vtramell3196]

Very nice job April.

[@robertevans6481]

I bet Cody loves it...especially with the line coming out of the ceiling....

[@petermenningen338]

Instead of a drain on a vertical section Put a good sized air dryer in the hose before it leaves your shop that way it catches the moisture on the down side of the feed line and there is none in hose on the way to Cody's shop.

[@77ryan0341]

Peter Menningen I was wondering if there was a better solution for the collection of condensation in the bottom of the pipe as well. Would the air dryer be best suited before the underground section or after or both? I see the temperature difference
from coming inside to outside to inside as being a point for most condensation to occur. Am I wrong?

[@greenspotconstruction5003]

Ryan Hardin condensation is all over the place in an air compressor system. high pressure dropping to low pressure causes the condensation to build. the small air dryers do a little work but it is only a half inch line so simply open the line full boar and everything in there, if any at all will come right out. it's best to use a dryer close to the tool or the final line if you need to use one.

[@WhatIsKenDoing]

Good idea but the underground line is going to collect moisture because of vast temperature differences between the soil and the ambient air temps.

[@petermenningen338]

April is in Texas. If you use a dryer at the feed the moisture is already gone. I would agree if the temp difference was going to be like Middle Alaska or if she lived in southern Florida with the Humidity around 100% But most of Texas is a Dry Heat :) LOL and the shop is probably at a lower temp than the soil and the Garage probably is not air conditioned so the temp difference is in the right direction for a chemical dryer. If my assumptions are wrong I'm sure April will correct them.

[@greenspotconstruction5003]

it is a half inch air hose. the line won't really collect water. put an air chuck on it and open it up for 3 seconds and the entire line will purge completely. the only time it would be a problem is if all the use was very low air consuming like air brushing. I am not saying an air dryer wouldn't be beneficial but it wouldn't be any more beneficial then anywhere else in the shop.

[@ericruschsr2883]

Nice work April.
Cody is a lucky man.

[@arth.4196]

Good ideas April. Thanks. I'm building my own Tuff Shed 24' x 24' thousands.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Good installation, the hose reel in the attic really made it look professional. I've never seen that before. Nice dirt in Texas!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thanks, yeah I haven't seen it before either but I think it will work out well. Yeah the dirt around here is great, but down south it all turns to rock.

[@254JROCK]

I dig ur work April

[@paulwilliamson1982]

Enjoying your videos. Hello from Northern Ireland!!

[@tee-too]

I freaking love your videos and I'm insanely jealous of your tools and shop! I love that all your recent videos are you doing renovations! it's really awesome to watch! you make it look so easy!

[@ericcorse]

Well done Cody is a lucky man. BTW the fence still looks great.

[@fwflyer78]

Great job April!

[@Mr21011952]

I liked the River Dance idea.

[@Tutttthgeyht]

Isto é que carpintaria .excelente trabalho. muito bom. !!!!

[@vaalrus]

Looks good to me, and if he does ever need a little more air in “his” shop, he can just pop in an inexpensive reserve tank into the circuit in the attic. I’ve got a reasonably big shop, and hat was a bonus feature of putting a salvaged tire-changing machine in the far corner of my shop from my compressor, and that made a surprising boost having the resevoir that was built into the unit.

[@Pacho53]

Beautiful video April, you are the best.... undoubtedly.... regards!

[@DarinBeard]

I can't imagine ever having a need to do this but I enjoyed watching your process anyway. I'm up here in Denton so we are practically neighbors.

[@BrianB14471]

Keep on eye on CL and local advert pages for a "broken" compressor, 15 gallon portable variety. Put that in the garage attic as a reservoir. You will get much better performance of air tools with that extra bulk of air.

[@jessjulian9458]

I need to do something similar to this in my shop. so thank you for the tips I got quite a few from your project that I can use doing my project. thank you very much.

[@avirello1]

Watching this from Ct I realized yet another reason it stinks to live in a cold climate. With our harsh winters all of our trench have to be at least 18" deep. Makes the digging alot less fun, I know I have laid alot of conduit for work.
Great job as usual my son as always loved his Sunday April video

[@ofujuncky]

Kody is a very lucky man! Nice job neat and useful.

[@waynenocton]

Nice job, lucky you living in a non freezing climate. Moisture could be a problem, possibly another ball valve that you could open wide to force trapped water out on occasion. Also if Cody ever needs more air, you could add a tank in his garage, but he may never need more than the 1/2" line like you said. You are truly a jack of all trades, I very much like your videos.

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

You go girl! "We don't need no stinken men to do for us"!LOL Very impressive April and kudo's for your Dad's great suggestion. I could never do a dig like that in New England. We are all field stone. What a great solution for the two of you and way cheaper than buying another large compressor. Thanks for the Video!!

[@michelevitarelli]

bravo. your projects are getting more intense. thanks for sharing. great video.

[@michaelherrera7837]

As always, awesome to watch and learn. Thanks a bunch.

[@timguba8887]

What a cool project, April. I really get a lot out of your videos; they are so informative and entertaining. Keep up the great work!

[@albertgerbel8472]

I actually wanted to know something like this and never thought that a lady would teach me, thx alot!

[@nordyfamily]

Great work, thanks for taking the time and sharing!!!

[@daniellalor6244]

Shop upgrades aremy favorite videos

[@NV..V]

Another great video! Thank you April.

[@azyfloof]

First couple times you said sweeped 90 i kept hearing "Sweet 90" :P I just thought "Well it IS pretty cool I guess..?" hehehe :D
Loving the Michael Flatley dance moves :P Was there any utilities nearby in the end?

[@Peztilence]

not being nativ to English, I thought it was actually called a "sweet 90" and thought it was a really strange name for a 90 degree elbow. now i feel stupid...

[@azyfloof]

Johannes Christensen Hehehe, easy mistake! :D I just thought, perhaps April thought they were super awesome elbows :P

[@SAWMetalworks]

Its actually called a "street 90" which has a flared side and a standard pipe side.

[@zandemen]

Both are right. Street refers to the "male" or street end on one and socket on the other, while a female on both ends is a "socket" elbow. The Sweep refers to the form of the bend, so it is a sweep 90 street elbow.

[@kylepost4]

Wait? It's not actually called a "Sweet 90"????? I seriously thought that was what it was called.
The more you know.

[@m4st3rcr4ck]

loved the hand clap. to describe your building plans.
"I know what I want. And it's what I want"

[@robevans8555]

Great job once again, you have Cody spoilt, I would have had him do the spade work.

[@derickchapman6451]

Brilliant like how you put the reel in the attic

[@talladegadude4852]

Great job! Looks very clean and neat!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Thank you!

[@bearknotright257]

April those long turn 90s, where you calling them sweet 90s or sweep 90s? Love watching your videos! Thank You for them.

[@dirkdeboer6569]

good job on it. I would have made the conduit a bit bigger to accommodate a 3/4 line for future expansion

[@incredibleawesomeness3914]

You are so freaking awesome! Cody is a very very lucky man!

[@jonsanchez55]

Solid work as usual, and fancy footwork to boot!

[@johnmata1967]

I just readed some of the feed back from so of your views and your doing a go job job !!

[@jberkhimer]

Oh man, that reel in the attic is soooo slick!

[@jordiaragon6409]

Muy buen video me gusta mucho tus trabajos un saludo desde BARCELONA ESPAÑA