How about PEX air lines?

[BioHazard]

Seems like everybody loves to ask questions about air lines around here. I want to move my compressors out to the barn and I need a cheap hose to get the air into my shop. I'm not paying for 3/4" copper or steel for that distance.

How about 3/4 PEX tubing for air lines? It doesn't shatter like PVC, rated for something like 180 PSI and hot water. I know the plastic lines don't allow water to condense as well but I would install 1/2" copper drops with drain valves from the ceiling.

Can I use PEX for air? $0.25/foot in a 100' roll is a lot more appealing than $1.46/foot for copper.

It just so happens that I need to run some hot/cold water lines with pex exposed on my concrete walls too...so it would all match well.

 

[Abbott]

The pex tool is a bit pricey. I use rubber air hose in my shop for runs it works for me.

 

[scbird94]

I beleive you can rent pex tools, home depot may even offer this service?

Otherwise, they make quick connect pex fittings- dont remember the brand, but the logo is of a little shark i think

 

[srmofo]

You'll be bleeding from the **** after buying quick connect pex fittings.....depending on how many you need. I vote for just buying the tool. It sounds like you have enough runs to make to justify the tool, and I dont think pex is going to be going anywhere anytime soon. Im going to be dropping pvc conduit in the ground and running either rubber or pex airline to the house when I drop in my data/cable/phone lines in another piece of conduit. If theres every an issue with the line, theoretically you can attach the new line to the old and just pull it through.

 

[BioHazard]

I do plan on buying the crimping tool, I'm sure it's something I will use more of in the future for water if nothing else. Aside from it's thermal and decorative properties, I'm not even sure why they use copper plumping anymore....

 

[Dark Horse]

CU is not UV sensitive. It can run longer spans between supports, and isn't brittle ( aggressive water not withstanding)
CPVC moves alot and sags on the hot water side, As such it requires much more support. Gets brittle as it ages.
Pex is great where the plumbing will be covered. It's use is not recommended for exposed applications due to UV sensitivity. Its also permeable, that's why they make O2 barrier pex.

 

[jklingel]

Just check what psi your particular pipe will handle. The crimper we bought at HoDePo was only about $75; well worth it if you use it much at all. If you ever replace any pipes in your house, I'll bet you don't re-run copper (if you have any), so the crimper may come in handy. The plumber used big copper pipes right at my son's boiler, but that was it; we ran PEX everywhere else. A couple of 1", or so, PEX fittings were needed, and the plumber had a pneumatic expander for them; spendy for the DIY person. Thus, I suspect copper still has its place in the big-pipe-needs area. If the snap-on fittings you referred to are Shark Bite (sp?), right; you'll spend and arm and two legs. I spent about $9 for one, 1/2" coupler, but it saved me from tearing out a cabinet to get in and soldier in a copper coupler. Cheap, in that instance, and nothing to install; so far, as tight as a drum, too. The plumber told me about them, and although he is "old school", he was quite impressed the few times he's used them.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

If you've just got a few to crimp, maybe one of these may be an economical alternative...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RBAADC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BioHazard]

If you've just got a few to crimp, maybe one of these may be an economical alternative...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RBAADC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I was lookin' at those...even cheaper at home depot. Anybody use one before?

 

[djjsr]

The last time I checked, about 2 years ago, PEX was not approved for compressed air.

Maybe they have something new?

 

[TheShrine]

Go here...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_use_pex_pipe_for_air_lines

....but even that won't convince the "Black Pipers"!

 

[79firebird]

Anouter thing you could do is use the infloor pex as its a bit stronger. at work i plumbed the hole shop with the orange ones with the metal in the middle 1 3/4 around the shop 1/2 drops all with the fittings you tighten by hand and was cheaper then copper and black pipe and rated for 300+ Psi

 

[smokie]

Or use this..

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNPDF...416833&PMITEM=74204827&PMCTLG=00&PMT4TP=*LTIP

 

[bdog]

Why not just use a air hose? That is what I did. I have my shop plumbed in copper and my compressor in another barn 20' away. I ran a 3/4" air hose in a PVC pipe from the compressor to the copper piping. The hose cost me $42.

 

[barn full]

PEX is the easiest and cheapest plumbing system going if you factor in labor. Buy the tool. You won't regret it.