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.