If you’ve ever wrestled with messy air hoses strewn across your shop floor, you already know the frustration of a poorly planned compressed-air system. Not only is it inefficient, but it can also become a safety hazard. When you want your garage to work as smoothly as a professional shop, a clean and reliable air distribution system is a must.
That’s where a modular system like the Eastwood APS Air Piping System comes in. Designed with DIYers in mind, it’s a lightweight, easy-to-assemble solution that eliminates the need for threading or heavy metal tubing. Its aluminum piping and quick-connect fittings let you build a custom air network in your shop in just a weekend. The result is consistent airflow at every station without the hassle of leaks or pressure drops.
We’ll walk you step by step through the installation process below. This guide covers everything from planning your layout and mounting the main lines, to connecting drops and pressurizing your system. With a little planning and the right components, you can transform your cluttered garage into a streamlined workspace where your air tools are always ready when you are.
Installing Your Compressed Air Piping System System
Step 1: Plan Your Layout
Before you touch a tool, take the time to map out your garage. Ask yourself: Where is your compressor located? Which walls make the most sense for running your main air line? Where will you need drops for tools like an impact gun, spray gun, or tire inflator? Sketch your shop on paper, marking the main line and branch points. A loop design, where the line runs around the perimeter and connects back near the compressor, helps maintain even pressure throughout the system.
Step 2: Gather Your Components
Depending on your layout, you may need a combination of the following:
- Straight lengths of pipe for main runs and drops
- Unions for connecting sections of pipe end to end
- Flex lines for connecting to compressor or other fixtures
- Elbow fittings for corners
- Tee fittings for drops
- Wall plates and shut-off valves
- Mounting hardware for securing to walls or ceiling
Pro tip: Order a little extra. Having an extra fitting or two on hand saves a mid-project run to the store or waiting for an online order to arrive.
Step 3: Mount the Main Line
Start with the longest straight run of pipe. Use the included clips to secure it along the wall at regular intervals. About every 3 to 4 feet is ideal. Keep the line slightly sloped toward a drain point so that condensation doesn’t collect inside the system. At corners, install elbow fittings, and at planned drop points, insert tees.
Step 4: Install Drops and Outlets
Drops are the vertical runs that come down from your main line to feed tools. Install them at convenient locations such as near your workbench, garage door, or anywhere else you’ll use air-hungry tools. Each drop should terminate in a shut-off valve and quick coupler. This not only makes tool connection simple but also allows you to shut off sections of the system for maintenance. Position outlets at a comfortable height, typically 36 to 48 inches off the floor.
Step 5: Connect to the Compressor
With your network built, tie it back into your compressor using the proper fittings. Many DIYers install a filter/regulator unit at this point to ensure clean, dry, regulated air feeds into the system. For painting or precision work, adding a desiccant dryer downstream is also a smart upgrade.
Step 6: Pressure Test and Final Check
Once the system is complete, pressurize it slowly and listen for leaks at each fitting. A little soapy water brushed around the joints will help confirm there are no pinhole leaks. After the system passes inspection, open your shut-off valves and run your tools. You’ll notice a steady supply of air without the surges, drops, or leaks common in cobbled-together setups.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to a hard-piped compressed air system may seem like a big step. Traditional garage air setups often rely on black iron pipe, copper tubing, or PVC. Each comes with its own headaches – threading and sealing metal pipe, soldering copper, or worrying about PVC shattering under pressure. But with a system like Eastwood’s APS, you get the durability of lined aluminum pipe with the installation ease of plastic connectors. That means pro-shop performance without pro-shop installation costs.
Installing Eastwood’s APS Air Piping System is a straightforward DIY project that pays dividends in efficiency, safety, and shop organization. In just a weekend, you can eliminate the tangled mess of hoses and enjoy a clean, reliable supply of air wherever you need it in your garage. So, roll up your sleeves, plan your layout, and get started. You’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.
