Pex pipe for air lines

[John P. Smith]

John,
I have never understood why there is such an aversion to running copper air lines. Copper solders easily, there’s a large selection of fittings available, it doesn’t leak, it doesn’t have catastrophic failures and it is relatively cheap. I installed it in my garage shop last year, replacing my old PVC lines, for less than $35.
They look cool too.

Bruce, it's not that I have an aversion to copper, just that I am always looking for better/eaiser/quicker/simpler ways/materials to do things; anything, not just plumbing. I have used copper, cpvc, pvc and some galvanized for water plumbing. I just completed my first PEX job and the difference in ease of installing and connecting is like night and day. I just bought a house and shop (preowned, existing buildings) and the shop is plumbed with PVC for air. I know I SHOULD pull it all out and start over (and I probably will). I just keep an open mind to the best method/materials to do any job. But at this point (as I said before) everything points to copper. Thanks for your input.

BTW, how did you come to have PVC in your shop?
John

[Bruce Page]

BTW, how did you come to have PVC in your shop?
John

John, I put it in several years ago - before I knew any better.
The PVC always leaked a little, my compressor would loose about 10psi overnight. I no longer have that problem with the copper lines.

[Robert Delhommer Sr]

I plan to research the practicality of using PEX since I have to completely redo my shop whenever I finally nget my house refinished & moved back in from the August flood. The shop will be tackled after complete move in to the house and 1st will be dust collection in the shop and then possibly air supply since I don't use a lot of air and have always gotten by with a 50' rubber hose but would like 2 or 3 drops in my 400 sft shop.

[Jim Becker]

From the FAQ at the SharkBite web site:

Q: Can I use PEX pipe for compressed air applications?
A: No, PEX pipe is not intended for compressed air applications.