Pex for air line

7/13/20, 11:33 AM #1

Mike L
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Pex for air line

Mike L

My garage is almost done being repaired. The floor is painted and came out great with the two part epoxy. I will be getting my tools back this week from storage at Servpro. They will set them back up like nothing ever happened. So now to my question.

I am going to run air lines to all the walls I want to use white Pex to make it easy and cheaper. I know it has a high burst rate for freeze and water, but what about just plain air. I set my regulator to 120 PSI max.

Thanks Mike

Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 12:54 PM #2

Barry Irby
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Re: Pex for air line

Barry Irby

There is an admonition against using plastic for air lines. The fear is that as it cycles it expands and contracts and fatigues and eventually fails. If it fails suddenly it could throw shards and if you get hit by one they can not be seen on an X-ray and not plucked out with a magnet. Air pressure is much more dynamic than water pressure because air is compressible. Huge amount of stored energy. Do not know if this applies to PEX. Come to think of it, those curry hoses appear to made of something like PEX. I had one of those hang in front of a heater and it got an aneurysm. Failed, but not very dramatic. Perhaps I should borrow a line from Gilda Radner...."Never Mind!".

I understand that Northern Tool has air line kits with plastic pipe and Shark bite type footings but have not seen it.

Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 1:29 PM #3

Kneale Brownson
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Re: Pex for air line

kneale brownson

Plastic can break.

I use copper.

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Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 2:50 PM #4

Mark Mandell
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Re: Pex for air line

Mark Mandell - Gone Round In New Jersey

Pex will take 120psi so long as the shop stays under 140 F.

What pex will not do is cool the air flow and condense moisture out of the stream. If you're not using an air dryer with your compressor (and keeping the compressor tank drained of condensate) you'll be likely to get water showing up at the outlets and tools as well as playing havoc with finishes if you're spraying them.

Also, air tools don't like water in the air supply, the turbines/pistons tend to rust even if oil is used.

Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 7:34 PM #5

Jack Guzman from Maine
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Re: Pex for air line

Jack Guzman from Maine

Don't over think this,Pex works for air lines. I use it in my shop. It holds pressure fine. I like it because it is easier and cheaper to install than copper.

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Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 7:39 PM #6

kkruizen
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Re: Pex for air line

kkruizen

Rapid Air make Blue Pex line that is rated for air lines. I believe it is multi layer and has an aluminum core. The fittings are fairly expensive but it looks easy to install.

Re: Pex for air line

7/13/20, 10:58 PM #7

walta
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Re: Pex for air line

walta

I install a Rapid Air system in my shop.

Went in fast and ease works great for a reasonable cost.

Walta

Re: Pex for air line

7/14/20, 3:48 AM #8

Pat Riley
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Re: Pex for air line

Pat Riley

I use braided vinyl tubing. High pressure rating, easy to install, fittings aren't too expensive, and it is easy to bend.

Not always economical if you have a short run, but if you buy a spool, it gets pretty inexpensive.

Re: Pex for air line

7/18/20, 9:17 PM #9

Walt
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Re: Pex for air line

Walt

I think the warning about using plastic for compressed air pertains to PVC more. If PVC being used for compressed air fails it may not split, it may shatter. Shrapnel flying, I wouldn't want to be there. I've heard Pex doesn't fail catastrophically. There would be another possible risk though; if a PEX compressed air line failed and no one was around the compressor would run until it couldn't, possibly due to overheating. Fires ain't much fun either.

Re: Pex for air line

7/18/20, 9:31 PM #10

Barry Irby
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Re: Pex for air line

Barry Irby

Now that I have had time to think about I am sure you are correct.

I have installed a timer switch for my compressor. I ran it for years just plugged in and relied on the pressure switch to keep it full. As It aged out it ran more and more. I put in the timer and now I don't hear it come on in the night. I just turn it on and It will stay on for up to an hour. If I need to I just reset it. Much safer.

Re: Pex for air line

7/19/20, 3:20 PM #11

Ralph Lipeles
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Re: Pex for air line

Ralph Lipeles

I leave the compressor switch in the off position most of the time. I turn it on only when I need the compressed air. I have an 80 gallon tank so even when the compressor is off I have compressed air for a few days.

Re: Pex for air line

7/19/20, 6:25 PM #12

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio
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Re: Pex for air line

Jim DeLaney, Austintown, Ohio

Same here. I only turn mine on when I'm actually in the shop, using it. I wired a light into the compressor's circuit so that it's on whenever the compressor is. That way, I know that it's on, and I can remember to turn it off before I close up the shop.

Re: Pex for air line

7/19/20, 10:21 PM #13

Mike L
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Your a pretty smart feller

Mike L

I might have to do the light trick. I turn mine when needed and back off when not. Most of the time it is not needed because I have a small one that can do most of the basic jobs. I use the 60 gallon one only when I need more Air.

Pex for air line

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