Air line between shop + house

[Blk88GT]

There always comes a time I need to fill a tire in my house garage or run an air nailer in the basement of the house. I hate dragging a compressor around when there is a perfectly functioning one in the shop.

I have 2 conduits between my house/shop and would like to supply air from the shop, into my house and then garage.

Should I be looking for something specialized or will a standard air hose work just fine?

ps... I will not be using PVC

 

[TurnipTruck]

I pulled basic PEX A through the black polyethylene water line stuff. Even better would be the pex-al-pex used in hydronic service.

 

[SGKent]

I'd think pulling a rubber hose thru a long conduit would be a real PITA. I have a clean hose that I uncoil thru the house when that rare event happens that compressed air is needed somewhere in the house. Or you could plumb an air system - even one between floors where you could just couple onto it with a rubber hose from the compressor to supply it when you need air at the other end of the house or basement.

 

[59 wagon man]

I have a 100' reel bolted to the wall outside my garage near my tankless water heater. it reaches across the street in front of my house

 

[The Cobbler]

how big is the conduit? what size hose are you planning to run?
I have a pvc air hose that has lived outside for 5 plus years that has stood up just fine. oh, the hose is about 30 years old too!

 

[mike93lx]

a hose, simply buried in the ground would be fine for a long time. in conduit is even better

 

[johnnyradiant]

Most PEX tubing will be rated for: 160 psi at 73°F. 100 psi at 180°F. 80 psi at 200°F.

I've sucessfully used copper, steel and an air hose at different times to accomplish the same thing.

If you're within pressure limits of pex I would guess you'd get more volume with less hassle shoved into your conduit.

 

[didit]

30 years ago a friend gave me several rolls of various sized pvc pipe that was originally used for automatic sprinkler systems. I used the 1" I.D. roll. It was old and had a "set" to it requiring laying it in the hot sun to make it pliable enough to unroll and route. I ran 30 feet of it inside and outside for air and never had a problem even with 150 psi. I just replaced it last year to upgrade, adding a water removal system. I still have plenty if anyone wants it, it's free for the taking.

 

[mike93lx]

Most PEX tubing will be rated for: 160 psi at 73°F. 100 psi at 180°F. 80 psi at 200°F.

I've sucessfully used copper, steel and an air hose at different times to accomplish the same thing.

If you're within pressure limits of pex I would guess you'd get more volume with less hassle shoved into your conduit.

Those ratings are all for water, not air. Completely different

 

[Shadowdog500]

I thought about running a line from the shop to the house but wound up getting a decent 110v portable air compressor instead. I can use it anywhere, attic, house, yard, 1000 miles from home, etc.

 

[nmk_61802]

DOT air tubing run thru pvc electrical conduit

 

[Blk88GT]

The length between house/shop in conduit is ~75ft. I think I used 2.5", but it's been a while.

 

[matt_i]

A polyurethane tube would be great in my opinion. One can buy from a myriad of sources, this stuff is commonly used in industry for automation. SMC seems to be quite popular, I've bought it on ebay before I would try a 10-12mm ID tubing. It uses a fitting which is similar to a sharkbite, you push the tube in, and bam, its gripped and leak free. One has to depress an external ring and pull on the tubing to get it to release. There are SAE sizes as well.

 

[Blk88GT]

DOT air tubing run thru pvc electrical conduit

I never thought of DOT air line! Hmm.

 

[CraigStu]

I think I'd look at the small portable compressors and a 25 ft hose. I thought along your lines 6 yrs ago when I needed to be able to blow out our irrigation in the fall. Bought a 100 ft air hose made of some kind of semi rigid plastic. Worked great for the irrigation but the 100 ft hose is a total pain in the house. Most of the small compressors are 30# so easy to carry around.

 

[sberry]

2.5 will take a line easy, this is a handy idea. The dot tube would work, a 1/2 tube like rapid air or similar would work well too. I have one I should have put a line too,,, it's not that big a deal though. Could have used it once or twice but I ran a hose, not a deal for me but if I wanted it regular it's something I would do.
A 100 ft hose would be easy, could even valve it at the source. Would need to be charged all the time.

 

[mike93lx]

I think I'd look at the small portable compressors and a 25 ft hose. I thought along your lines 6 yrs ago when I needed to be able to blow out our irrigation in the fall. Bought a 100 ft air hose made of some kind of semi rigid plastic. Worked great for the irrigation but the 100 ft hose is a total pain in the house. Most of the small compressors are 30# so easy to carry around.

I have a small, 4.6 gallon CAT compressor with aluminum tanks specifically for the portability. It has been awesome when doing stuff like trim in the house. Quiet, light and only something like 8 amps. I almost exclusively used a 20' coiled house with it. Great setup

 

[txvwnut]

75 foot run I’d use 3/4” or larger to minimize flow loss. But I too suggest a portable compressor, I have a compressor in the car garage just for this reason.

 

[pattenp]

You need to be mindful of water collecting in an airline that's below ground and have a way to drain it or remember to blow it out before use.

 

[bwringer]

I thought about running a line from the shop to the house but wound up getting a decent 110v portable air compressor instead. I can use it anywhere, attic, house, yard, 1000 miles from home, etc.

Yep, this would be a lot cheaper and easier. Plus you'd have a nice little backup and portable compressor.

 

[bczygan]

Get a second small compressor.

I have a number of them.

Bill

 

[sberry]

It's 75 ft, not 750, likely won't need to run 3/4 impacts in the house. Especially if we think a bitty compressor would work. This is supplying utility and convenience air, not a truck tire shop. 3/8 hose will work.

 

[Ecreps]

Unsure how you are capping the ends of the PCV, but be aware that if you get a leak inside the tubing you will pressurize the whole thing. Not that it's super applicable to you, but in my line of work OSHA will not allow air lines to be ran in any sealed enclosure.

 

[Blk88GT]

Unsure how you are capping the ends of the PCV, but be aware that if you get a leak inside the tubing you will pressurize the whole thing. Not that it's super applicable to you, but in my line of work OSHA will not allow air lines to be ran in any sealed enclosure.

Another interesting thought. I wouldn't keep the line pressurized, I'd shut the supply off at the shop side when not in use.

 

[jonesg]

I bought a small $75 rapidaire kit, my 21gal compressor is in the basement and I run the air to the garage in black vinyl flex pipe underground , single car garage has 3 air outlets.
Sure is quiet in the garage now.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've done it with a Goodyear rubber air hose ran through a 1.5" PVC conduit from garage to house. I used it for a few years with nailers and staplers in the basement, or blowing out dust under the fridge.

Once I bought all battery nailers I pulled out the air hose and used that conduit to run a beer line from my basement kegerator out to the garage and put a tap on the wall.

 

[larry4406]

RapidAir Maxline is rated for direct burial.
https://www.rapidairproducts.com/maxline

I ran it to my barn while trench for power and water was open. I still need to connect it to the compressor at the house and terminate the barn end.

 

[logical]

My garage is attached and I decided against even bothering to run a line to the basement. I just bought a small craftsman compressor (it's not oil-less so while noisy it isn't that high pitch screech). It's also nice to have if going to help a tool deficient family member or do some work in a remote area.

Sent from my garage.

 

[i4ni]

What's the frostline in Manitoba? Warm air through a cold air line?

 

[i4ni]

Another interesting thought. I wouldn't keep the line pressurized, I'd shut the supply off at the shop side when not in use.

Not trying to be an *** but doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose?

 

[FTG-05]

I've done it with a Goodyear rubber air hose ran through a 1.5" PVC conduit from garage to house. I used it for a few years with nailers and staplers in the basement, or blowing out dust under the fridge.

Once I bought all battery nailers I pulled out the air hose and used that conduit to run a beer line from my basement kegerator out to the garage and put a tap on the wall.

 

[FTG-05]

Not trying to be an *** but doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose?

I had the same thought.

 

[850xpeps]

What's the frostline in Manitoba? Warm air through a cold air line?

4’ or so.

I recommend a small compressor too

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

If I may ask a question kinda off-topic, but how do you deal with moisture accumulating in the hose/pipe/tubing underground?

I tried this set-up many years ago and over time moisture collected in the bottom of the line that I never could get out. I finally added a Devilbiss water filter on both ends of mine and made sure I drained both ends before I used that line. Otherwise it would just spit slugs of water.

 

[larry4406]

If I may ask a question kinda off-topic, but how do you deal with moisture accumulating in the hose/pipe/tubing underground?

I tried this set-up many years ago and over time moisture collected in the bottom of the line that I never could get out. I finally added a Devilbiss water filter on both ends of mine and made sure I drained both ends before I used that line. Otherwise it would just spit slugs of water.

I plan on adding a surge tank at the detached structure receiving the buried airline for thus reason. Then pull air off the top of the surge tank tank. Hopefully the surge tank will be the water collector.