I know we don't want to use PVC for compressed air lines because it can become hazardous shrapnel if it fails.
However PEX tends to be much more subtle and not prone to explosive fracturing during.
Has anybody used PEX for compressed air in their shop?
What would be needed?
My thoughts are, and they may not be great so bear with me... As best I can tell, PEX uses sharkbite, OR crimp fittings. The crimp ferrules appear to be compatible with standard barb fittings. PLEASE correct me if I am wrong!
1/2" ID PEX x100', Red. Not sure about the color scheme, but the air hoses are red. I can also go with white. Or if I wanted to look like a Rapidair system, go with blue... so.... https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x...0012/301541204
1/2 compatible copper PEX crimp sleeves. Pack of 100. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-1...00JR/303254606
1/2" PEX barb tee x 3. 1 to carry over to workbench, one to carry over to lathe bench. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...XT12/301541257
1/2" PEX barb elbow. x 6. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...XE12/301541111
1/2" PEX barb elbow x 1/2" surface mount FPT. 3. elbow. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...EE12/301541098
1/2" x 1/4" MPT reducing nipple 5 pack. https://www.homedepot.com/p/LTWFITTI...8405/313805785
2 hole 1/2" pipe hanger strap 10 pack. x3. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-...3542/303434708
Brass quick couplers. I use a mix of Milton and Central Pneumatic, depends on what I have handy. https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-pc-68241.html
And of course to make the PEX connections, assuming I can't rent the crimper, I can buy a cheap one for $41.00 on Amazon... https://amzn.to/3wRzyxK
The thought process would be as follows. And I may need more pieces for this.
Come out of the compressors via custom lines, to the quick connects as close as possible to the compressors, while allowing for vibration. Lines to Tee, tee feeds off line to oil separator / dryer,
Single line comes out of separator / dryer, up wall to ceiling, then over, across to over the workbench, tee down to fitting for bench zip tied to DC tubing. Line continues along ceiling.
Next tee goes over to lathe bench, down with a 90, then out with a 90 to thread, and quick connect.
Line continues along celing to moved hose reel between roll up doors. straight up install of hose, no QD there.
Line goes to front wall, 90, down to just below electrical outlet between doors, and 90 to QD.
This arrangement would allow me minimal hose just flopping around. I could use the reel in the driveway and gain that last 15 added feet so no worries about getting all the way around a car in the rear most driveway slot. I can at that point use the Hitachi hoses in the shop, lighter, and less issue prone than the rubber ones...
My initial plan was to go with copper pipe, but costs, and honestly fear of soldering that close to sheetrock has kept me from doing that.
The PEX looks like a good alternative. The barbs looks reusable for moving shops down the road, just would need new cheap line, and crimps.
However PEX tends to be much more subtle and not prone to explosive fracturing during.
Has anybody used PEX for compressed air in their shop?
What would be needed?
My thoughts are, and they may not be great so bear with me... As best I can tell, PEX uses sharkbite, OR crimp fittings. The crimp ferrules appear to be compatible with standard barb fittings. PLEASE correct me if I am wrong!
1/2" ID PEX x100', Red. Not sure about the color scheme, but the air hoses are red. I can also go with white. Or if I wanted to look like a Rapidair system, go with blue... so.... https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x...0012/301541204
1/2 compatible copper PEX crimp sleeves. Pack of 100. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-1...00JR/303254606
1/2" PEX barb tee x 3. 1 to carry over to workbench, one to carry over to lathe bench. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...XT12/301541257
1/2" PEX barb elbow. x 6. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...XE12/301541111
1/2" PEX barb elbow x 1/2" surface mount FPT. 3. elbow. https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-B...EE12/301541098
1/2" x 1/4" MPT reducing nipple 5 pack. https://www.homedepot.com/p/LTWFITTI...8405/313805785
2 hole 1/2" pipe hanger strap 10 pack. x3. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-...3542/303434708
Brass quick couplers. I use a mix of Milton and Central Pneumatic, depends on what I have handy. https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...-pc-68241.html
And of course to make the PEX connections, assuming I can't rent the crimper, I can buy a cheap one for $41.00 on Amazon... https://amzn.to/3wRzyxK
The thought process would be as follows. And I may need more pieces for this.
Come out of the compressors via custom lines, to the quick connects as close as possible to the compressors, while allowing for vibration. Lines to Tee, tee feeds off line to oil separator / dryer,
Single line comes out of separator / dryer, up wall to ceiling, then over, across to over the workbench, tee down to fitting for bench zip tied to DC tubing. Line continues along ceiling.
Next tee goes over to lathe bench, down with a 90, then out with a 90 to thread, and quick connect.
Line continues along celing to moved hose reel between roll up doors. straight up install of hose, no QD there.
Line goes to front wall, 90, down to just below electrical outlet between doors, and 90 to QD.
This arrangement would allow me minimal hose just flopping around. I could use the reel in the driveway and gain that last 15 added feet so no worries about getting all the way around a car in the rear most driveway slot. I can at that point use the Hitachi hoses in the shop, lighter, and less issue prone than the rubber ones...
My initial plan was to go with copper pipe, but costs, and honestly fear of soldering that close to sheetrock has kept me from doing that.
The PEX looks like a good alternative. The barbs looks reusable for moving shops down the road, just would need new cheap line, and crimps.
Comment