PEX for shop air lines?

[countrybumpkin]

Anyone using pex water line for compressed air lines in there shop?

 

[RNeumann]

I’ve seen it done and it is working fine. Ditto for PVC pipe-Sch 40- both under 1” pipe.

The 1/2” and maybe 3/4” would be fine with normal shop air pressures of say under 150psi. It’s not up to code or design of the PEX but it will probably be fine.

 

[Deere Dude]

I sure wouldn't use PVC for air because they shatter quit easily. I am a PEX fan but I would not use it outside because the sun will deteriorate it.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Hard to make it look straight when on the surface unless you use a lot of hangers. No matter what, it will sag and warp around even after install. High coefficient of lateral expansion/contraction.

Ron

 

[Redneck in training]

I used RapidAir MaxLine system. It is plastic pipe lined with aluminum. It was a snap to install. Have it about a year and so far no leaks or failures of any kind. All fittings are also available in far supply stores. I think it is way to go.
Maxline Air Compressor Piping | Rapidair Piping | Engineered Specialties

 

[3Ts]

Don't use PVC! It will work fine for awhile (awhile is defined as sometime in the future depending on the UV exposure) and will hold the pressure - until it doesn't. When it fails it will be a catastrophic failure as in a hand grenade going off with all the sharp pieces of shrapnel. And, yes, I've seen it used in commercial shops. Metal pipe failure is a split without the shrapnel. The other pipes I have no information on.

 

[Budweiser John]

Black (or galvanized) pipe is the gold standard.
Some runs in my shop have been there for 40 years and will likely be there after i’m Long gone. My system consists of an 80 gallon 5HP two stage compressor with a regulator providing 175 PSI on the grid.
I would be very uncomfortable with anything other than steel pipe.

B. John

 

[Handloader109]

Pex will be fine except as noted drooping, sagging. PVC is a NO, absolutely a NEVER for an airline. More dangerous than any other material. Just dont.

 

[GaryM]

I used RapidAir MaxLine system. It is plastic pipe lined with aluminum. It was a snap to install. Have it about a year and so far no leaks or failures of any kind. All fittings are also available in far supply stores. I think it is way to go.
Maxline Air Compressor Piping | Rapidair Piping | Engineered Specialties

We used that for the air lines in our maintenance building. Easy to work with.

I used the smaller diameter non lined stuff in my garage. Cuts with a knife and push the fittings on. Easy to remove the fittings as well.

Yes, it's not as neat and straight as the lined stuff as it can sag without additional hangers, but it still carries the air.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I’ll need to actually put pen and paper to it this week and get a exact number of feet needed for piping, just doing rough in head figuring I’ll be looking at 350 - 400 ft. Depending on how many drops I’ll have, once I have a figure I’ll be able to decide what system would be best for me. I really like the rapid air systems wall outlets. Tank pressure is set around 140 - 150 psi.

 

[tmc_31]

Glad to see this topic being discussed! I am considering using Pex to pipe up my shop air too. A couple of years ago I plumbed a friends garage for hot and cold water using Pex. That was my first experience with it. I am an inspector on a water plant project and last year a plumber ran all the domestic water piping in the new office/storage area in Pex. By specification the contractor had to perform a hydrostatic test on the domestic water system at 125 psi for 1 hour. There was no pressure loss during that time.

I have a 20'X30' shop and plan to upgrade my air system to a 5 hp 2 stage compressor with an 80 gal tank. I will limit my pressure on the distribution system to 100 psi. I intend to use 3/4 piping to maybe get a little improvement in cfm delivery.

Now I just need to figure out whether to use red or blue.

 

[ovrszd]

Good discussion. I'm pondering this as well. Like Bumpkin, I'll be running 300ft or so.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm not familiar with PEX being used for air lines. I know that PVC is the worse material that you can use because it fatigues over time and the explodes when it fails, sending splinters though the air that have blinded people and caused serious injuries to those around when it happens. Never use PVC for this!!!!

Does PEX make the fittings to do this? If they do, then I would be fine with doing it if the numbers made sense. If nobody makes PEX fittings for air lines, then that's a sign to me that says it's not a good idea.

Personally, I like using air hoses for air lines. The ends are already threaded, you can get them in a variety of lengths to fit your space, they are cheap, and you know that they are safe. Why use anything else?

 

[Oldoak]

I used RapidAir MaxLine system. It is plastic pipe lined with aluminum. It was a snap to install. Have it about a year and so far no leaks or failures of any kind. All fittings are also available in far supply stores. I think it is way to go.
Maxline Air Compressor Piping | Rapidair Piping | Engineered Specialties

:thumbsup:
Just what I used in my 30' x 48' pole building. Went with 3/4" Dia. to have the air volume I wanted at each drop leg. Installed it three years ago and am quite pleased.

 

[Deere Dude]

For a lot of air line I would just use solid copper. It is easy to solder and fairly durable, meaning it can take a hit. Don't know the price though.

 

[radios1]

do not use plastic, it's unsafe, use black pipe..

 

[Sawyer Rob]

My shop is plumbed with blk. pipe, it's permanent/safe and not that hard to install...

SR

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not familiar with PEX being used for air lines. I know that PVC is the worse material that you can use because it fatigues over time and the explodes when it fails, sending splinters though the air that have blinded people and caused serious injuries to those around when it happens. Never use PVC for this!!!!

Does PEX make the fittings to do this? If they do, then I would be fine with doing it if the numbers made sense. If nobody makes PEX fittings for air lines, then that's a sign to me that says it's not a good idea.

Personally, I like using air hoses for air lines. The ends are already threaded, you can get them in a variety of lengths to fit your space, they are cheap, and you know that they are safe. Why use anything else?

Problem with using rubber air hose to plumb a shop is it's short lifespan.

 

[AndyMA]

RapidAir MaxLine 3/4in., 3ft. Master Kit, Model# M758 | Northern Tool + Equipment

This kit looks interesting. Anybody tried it?

Andy

 

[stuckmotor]

Good discussion. I'm pondering this as well. Like Bumpkin, I'll be running 300ft or so.

It's cool the way the RapidAir ad above leads to a 300 ft kit.