Shop Air Lines

[khamill2000]

Anybody ever run PEX for their air lines in the shop. Got about 3 weeks off coming up and am looking to plumb some air lines. I ran steel at the old house but thought with pex I might be able to run it in the walls and keep it real clean looking.

 

[kennyd]

Man, this could get heated
PEX to my knowledge is not rated for air, or exposure to UV light long term...Do some searching on the Web.

I used copper to do mine-it's expensive but the labor is low, and the chance for leaks is a lot less then iron pipe.

 

[khamill2000]

The UV would not be a problem as it would be inside the ceiling/walls

 

[ray66v]

Man, this could get heated

Right, there are many posts on this subject, you can find them by searching. There have been a lot of heated discussions on the use of "other" pipe for compressed air. I have had enough plastic air pipe failures in my life to know what I would want to use, steel pipe. Others will tell you they have never had a problem,... yet.

I seem to remember at one time seeing a special grade of pex that was designed for compressed air.

There is also some sweet aluminum pipe made for compressed air. It uses slip couplings, goes up fast, and looks really nice. It's just expensive.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I agree with copper or black iron. You can also find air line pipe with reusable compression fittings but I would imagine that to be more than copper.

No PEX or PVC for me.

I don't know that I have ever seen air lines run that could not be accessed for maintenance or modification.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Right, there are many posts on this subject, you can find them by searching. There have been a lot of heated discussions on the use of "other" pipe for compressed air. I have had enough plastic air pipe failures in my life to know what I would want to use, steel pipe. Others will tell you they have never had a problem,... yet.

I seem to remember at one time seeing a special grade of pex that was designed for compressed air.

There is also some sweet aluminum pipe made for compressed air. It uses slip couplings, goes up fast, and looks really nice. It's just expensive.

Guess I was typing while you posted. Here is at least one source for the aluminum pipe.

 

[DieselPower]

If your looking to use a flexible air tubing to plumb your shop why not use air brake hose. Get a spool of Synflex DOT rated truck air brake hose and plumb away. It is rated for air, is UV resistant and safe in cold temps. It's what I plumbed the air system on my mobile service truck with.

 

[JB4310]

Don't know what it's called but there is a flex plastic tubing just for compressed air, with all the couplings and fittings to match, no tools required all pcs just slip together air tight. not home depot stuff, I got a little from a local pneumatics shop, to run an extension to the back of my shed. easiest to work with, not the cheapest.

 

[JoeL4330]

you might wish to check this out Eastwood Co. - 100' Garage Air LineKit w/ 12 Wall Mount Clamps

 

[Wombat125]

Don't know what it's called but there is a flex plastic tubing just for compressed air...

I'm guessing you're talking about the RapidAir stuff. I just bought 200' of hose and couplings, but haven't plumbed it yet. We'll see. The price actually wasn't too bad.

Compressed Air Piping, Compressed Air Systems, Do It Yourself Air Tool System