PEX Air Line Fittings

[danielS6855]

I’m running PEX for my air lines and looking for a termination fitting/block that can be screwed or bolted down. I want to use these at the drop locations for connecting hoses and such. Anyone know what these are called or where to find options.

If you are familiar with PEX drop ear fittings that are typically used for shower heads, I’m looking for something similar to that but in different configurations/angles.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

As your garden variety PEX is not intended or approved for compressed air (it's for water), this may limit your ability to find the fittings you need.

 

[danielS6855]

As your garden variety PEX is not intended or approved for compressed air (it's for water), this may limit your ability to find the fittings you need.

Where would I find fittings for the type you recommend?

 

[PeteyDaMan]

Pex works fine for air. I have it in my garage. I used a 1/2 in. Brass PEX Barb x 1/2 in. Female Pipe Thread Adapter 90-Degree Drop-Ear Elbow. Home Depot carries them.

Apollo 1/2 in. Brass PEX-B Barb x 1/2 in. Female Pipe Thread Adapter 90-Degree Drop-Ear Elbow APXDEE12 - The Home Depot

Wrap up a radiant water heating system to your residence with the addition of this affordable Apollo Brass PEX Barb Female Pipe Thread Adapter DropEar Elbow.

www.homedepot.com

I added a reducer and whip to hook up to my hose reels

 

[duneslider]

I have had pex lines for compressed air in service for over 10 years with no issues. Probably not the best solution but it seems to work fine. They do recommend the stuff with the aluminum layer.

A plumbing supply house will have more options than HD and Lowes typically have for fittings but you may have to get a little creative.

 

[gregs]

I also used the drop ear elbows and whatever adapter after that. Supply House had the best deals and assortments of fittings to look thru.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Where would I find fittings for the type you recommend?

If you want an easy cut and paste solution, this stuff is actually made for air.

RapidAir Home Garage Kit | RapidAir Products

Upgrade your garage with our Home Garage Kit. Enjoy a streamlined air system that boosts productivity and simplifies your workspace organization. Shop today!

www.rapidairproducts.com

Personally, I much prefer black iron pipe, and that's what I used in my garage, along with some short flexible high pressure (rubber) connectors to get me to my spring loaded hose reels.

I've had mine in for 15 years and the only issues I've had is with the rubber hoses on the hose reels. They seem to want to dry rot over time or the ends will start pooching out where the rubber goes into the pressed steel compression fittings put on by the air hose company.

Regarding the use of standard water PEX....and quoting my vibrations professor, 30 years ago, Dr. Molla (in a heavy, sarcastic, Italian accent) "You could do it that way. If you wanted to be wrong." LOL....seriously...it'll probably work for a long time if it's not in the sun. At least it's not PVC.

 

[Steve in UT]

Did my shop/garage in 3/4 pex with 1/2 drops. If you haven't seen this video, its kinda fun to watch.
Pressure testing pex
Here is how I terminated the ends. My only advice is keep your mounting points close(< 3') on horizontal runs to reduce sagging.

 

[haveissues]

I plan on using something like this when I plumb my shop with pex.

Primefit PCBL38 3/8-Inch Air Push to Connect Outlet Block Provides Air Connections for Compressed Air Piping Systems - - Amazon.com

Primefit PCBL38 3/8-Inch Air Push to Connect Outlet Block Provides Air Connections for Compressed Air Piping Systems - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[bad_idea]

LOL....seriously...it'll probably work for a long time if it's not in the sun. At least it's not PVC.

But I feel like it is. That is the same issue PVC has - sunlight makes it go boom. We had the same conversation on this forum 10 years ago about PVC, then OSHA passed regulations banning PVC, someone quoted them, then it became a running joke. Give it a few years and the consensus will be the same on PEX on this forum.

OP, quit being cheap and either do it right or use an air hose. Piping is rated for specific purposes for a reason.

 

[mike93lx]

But I feel like it is. That is the same issue PVC has - sunlight makes it go boom. We had the same conversation on this forum 10 years ago about PVC, then OSHA passed regulations banning PVC, someone quoted them, then it became a running joke. Give it a few years and the consensus will be the same on PEX on this forum.

OP, quit being cheap and either do it right or use an air hose. Piping is rated for specific purposes for a reason.

Pex doesn't go boom like pvc does. They are not the same at all.

 

[Yankee2bbq]

. This place is great. I use black iron pipe. But, what do I know, I’m just a rookie.

 

[dfiler2]

We started using pex for air lines 25 years ago at the company I retired from. We were a MNSTAR compliant company which means OSHA will not show up unannounced. We had very deailed inspections every few years in order to keep the rating and they did not have any problems with the thousands of feet of 1" pex used for airlines. I installed my own about 8 years ago.

That aluminum block that haveissues posted looks like it would work really well, I may order a few of those myself.

 

[EngineerNate]

At a bare minimum, pex isn't going to turn into shrapnel if it overpressures, unlike PVC.

I'm planning on using PAP in my shop, as I like not having iron in contact with my air to get rust bits in my tools.

 

[jack stand]

I’m running PEX for my air lines and looking for a termination fitting/block that can be screwed or bolted down. I want to use these at the drop locations for connecting hoses and such. Anyone know what these are called or where to find options.

If you are familiar with PEX drop ear fittings that are typically used for shower heads, I’m looking for something similar to that but in different configurations/angles.

A shower head 90 or elbow (terms are regional) can be had at the big box stores off the shelf.
That may be exactly what Pete posted above, but it looked like it wouldn't sit flat against the wall.
You'll want a pex X 1 /2" FIP.

 

[gmcgeo]

PEX tubing is made up of Cross-Linked Polyethylene whereas PVC pipes are made up of Polyvinyl Chloride.
That said PVC will explode where PEX will not.

Pex fittings and line can be found on Amazon made just for your application

 

[antman213]

I picked up something like this.

Coilhose Pneumatics 3034 High Flow Manifold, 1/2-Inch FPT Supply Port, Three 1/4-Inch FPT Output Ports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PZ5ZU2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[littlefan]

look at the rapid air term blocks they are very nice I got mine at local rural king.

 

[alinc100]

PEX Crimp Fittings

These PEX fittings may be used with the stainless steel clamping system or the copper crimp ring system. These PEX fittings may be used for PEX Plumbing. They allow you to make connections while using PEX Tubing. These fittings meet the ASTM F1087 standard and may be used with AquaPEX, Hepex, Mr...

www.supplyhouse.com

 

[Awag]

I think what he wants is a drop ear fitting but he wants one the is a 45° instead of the standard 90°. A 90 puts lots of stress on the hose and fitting. A 45 is a lot better for both hose and fitting.

 

[BriSco]

Here is what I did with mine. Used a drop ear and 45 degree street ell. I used 3/4" sticks 10 ft. long and ran all the way around the shop and connected the ends so that air can travel either direction. I added drops at each post 8 ft apart and hose reel under the work bench and on the ceiling.

 

[dcg9381]

I love PEX. I think the shower head valve above (and below) is exactly what you need. Basically nothing exists to mount PEX the way you want it, so you transition at the output end.

 

[BriSco]

Here is what I used. A drop ear tee. That way I was able to add a drip leg as well.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-...e-Pipe-Thread-Drop-Ear-Tee-APXDET34/305454190