Garage Air Mounted Lines

[dieselscout80]

After some reading I’m considering nylon air line that’s used on semi trucks and trailers as it’s available in 1/2”.

 

[TMGT]

Pvc and cpvc degrades from uv and other environmental factors. Also, be careful. Some pressure ratings are for liquids, not gasses. There's a big difference in danger from 150psi air and 150psi liquid.

I like the rapidair type systems, the coated aluminum tube is easy to install, light weight, doesn't rust, and has good thermal transfer. I do prefer the straight pipe, not the coiled type that the OP linked.
The cost of copper these days makes plumbing a large shop financially prohibitive!

 

[4570Man]

Not sure I believe PVC is a good option.

I know the pipe is rated high enough but what about the glue joints and fittings

PVC is rated to like 600 psi. It’s plenty strong enough to do the job. But the issue is water doesn’t compress and air does. If the pvc holding water ruptured nothing happens besides water sprays out. If the pvc holding air ruptured the contained energy will blow the shards of pipe everywhere. The pvc gets more brittle with age and if something ever hits the pipe it could very easily explode. I’d trust pex with air. The pex is more elastic land doesn’t split into shrapnel like PVC does.

 

[Jaybr]

I ran the RapidAir kit in the link in my current garage and have had no issues at all in 4 years. I run a Quincy compressor with 150+ psi in the tank and about 10' of line, then regulate down to 90 psi for all my drops, most of my tools run at 90.

Recently bought a new place and new shop was just completed 2 weeks ago, I'm planning to run RapidAir in it as well. One tip, get the straightener tool and have a second person to help get it strait. I put the tool in the vice and fed tubing in while my buddy pulled it through, it's pretty stiff to do solo.

 

[kennyd]

After some reading I’m considering nylon air line that’s used on semi trucks and trailers as it’s available in 1/2”.

I used that on my pole barn, it works very well.

DOT AIR BRAKE TUBING | Trausch Dynamics

DOT (Dempartment of Transportation) For Air Brake Systems SAE Type A (Single Wall Non-Reinforced Nylon) SAE Type B (Fiber Reinforced) Temperature Range: -40°F to +200°F Ultra-Violet Stabilizer Nylon Core and Braided Fiber (3/8" and Larger)...

www.hydraulicstore.com

DOT AIR BRAKE - PUSH IN | Trausch Dynamics

Typical application: air brake systems Not for fuel, water or oil Operating pressure up to 200 PSI depending on tube selection -40° to +200°F temperature range CA360 brass (straights), CA377 brass (shapes) Easy, fast assembly One-piece fit...

www.hydraulicstore.com

 

[mikester]

Neighbor who does car restoration used copper pipe. He says benefits are no rust in the lines and water condenses out easier and is better for painting.

 

[Fallon]

I'm happy with the kit I got. Blue plastic lines, dont remember if they are aluminum lined or not. I did a half ass job installing them, so they aren't straight & sag. But thats on me & not the kit. Way easier than black iron & cheaper than copper. I used hydraulic lines to connect the tank to regulators, dryer & what not. I figure 3000psi rated on a 120-175psi compressor is fine, evemn if it gets warm.

PVC is brittle & compressed air stores a lot of energy, which makes for a bad combo. The blue airline kits aren't PVC or brittle.

 

[Engineer42]

I thought I remembered someone on here using Pex-A for air lines. I could be wrong.

 

[Billrog]

1/2" schd.40 pvc in my shop for over 30 yrs. now 150psi comp. so far so good.

 

[4570Man]

1/2" schd.40 pvc in my shop for over 30 yrs. now 150psi comp. so far so good.

It will probably be good until it suffers an impact while pressurized.