Air lines for Shop

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Air lines for Shop

Originally Posted by hungupthespikes


I'd run a piece of PEX from the compressor to the start of the pipe so the noise/vibration of the motor could be controlled a little better.

Got curious about PEX so here you go.
Not good numbers for compressed air applications, yea I know they are for hydro not air

What temperature and pressure ratings does Uponor PEX carry?
Uponor PEX carries the following hydrostatic temperature and pressure ratings:
? 200?F at 80 psi (93.3?C at 5.51 bar)
? 180?F at 100 psi (82.2?C at 6.89 bar)
? 120?F at 130 psi (49?C at 9 bar) (?" Uponor AquaPEX? tubing only)
? 73.4?F at 160 psi (23?C at 11 bar)

Just found this: ( near the end)
http://www.uponor-qe.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Specification-PEX.pdf

UPONOR PEX should not be used for
Natural gas
compressed air
heating oil
swimming pool

There are several grades of PEX so if your going to use it be carful to find one that is rated for the application.
As biggee and myself said it is used in industry, but your going to have to Google to find a supplier that carries the right grade.
I found several manufactures of PEX type products that can be used for compressed air. :whoo:

Let us know how it comes out.
huts

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Air lines for Shop

You might want to keep it simple. Heres what I did 20 years ago building my shop. Stick frame, 24x24 truss roof, 10 foot ceiling, and 2 sides have 4 and 6 deep, 3 high loft for storage. And off the house..(where the 110/220 power comes in off the big panel house through an enclosed porch). Its a dedicated shop, but a big double door for anything in here. I insulated the walls, rocked it, and then? Ran all power on the outside the walls, (yeah, against code but its NOT a house and done a pro electrician) so I KNEW if something added was gonna hit nothing but insulation behind the rock. 110 HD sockets every 5 feet, wall and the loft, 220 2 sides one wall. OK on running air?

Keep it simple. SIMPLE AIR HOSE! Small EMT clamps to hold in the rock. AC middle one wall. 2 way split with one going side the big door for outside work, 50' hose hanging there. Other went to the ceiling and then a (Harbor Freight) 3 way split off. One hose to the middle shop, 3/8ths coil hose overhead, just over my head. Have short lengths air hose for more reach to add with QD's. The other 2 lines one goes over the weld/paint booth, other over my lathe/D Press, mill. Been 20 years with ZERO problems! And YES! Do a pressure release valve on the tank drain. Hits about 5 pounds, and "whoosh"..drained. Simple good hose, barbed fits..(no hose clamps) and forget about it. Works fine for me..........

 

[BRG25]

Re: Air lines for Shop

I just have mine on a reel in the cealing. It reaches where I need it to go and its out of the way when I don't need it.

I second this. Run black pipe to a reel mounted to the ceiling. It should reach where ever you need to go.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Air lines for Shop

I second this. Run black pipe to a reel mounted to the ceiling. It should reach where ever you need to go.

I have a reel too. I need to run black pipe to reduce the pressure drop I have. I do the hose method that Scatty does and there is just too much pressure drop with that.