Super Easy DIY 3/4" Pex Shop Air System ($400)

IWISS PEX Crimping Tool, Combo ½” and ¾” with Go/No Go Gauge - $38.99
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Pex Tubing Cutter - $7.05
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Sharkbite ¾ Pex-B x 100’ - $52.25
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Pex ¾ x ½” female NPT Drop Ear Elbow Brass Crimp Fitting - 10pcs - $35.98
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¾” Pex Fittings Combo Pack of 30 - $45.99
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Sharkbite ¾ Copper Crimp Rings - Pack of 100 - $32.06
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¼” Brass male Industrial Coupler - $40.69
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¼” NPT to ½” NPT Reducer Bushing - 10 pcs - $15.59
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Black Half Clamp J-Hook with Nail for 3/4 “ PEX - 100pcs - $14.99
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[@gthree0239]

After watching several videos of shop air set up and proper air compressor usage/maintenance I’m sold on your method of cooling the air before going into the air tank. I remember growing up how much water our compressor would accumulate. And it was always rusty, so we knew our tank was dirty. I think the only two things I’m going to different is add a desiccant air filter coming out of the copper cooling lines prior to entering the tank (for just more added extraction) and my lines will be simple so using copper throughout wont be too cost prohibitive. Thanks for the great ideas.

[@3rdstallgarage]

One person suggested, and I think I might try it, to have the air go through my copper tubing the other direction. That would help the air flow push the water down. I think that might be the one thing I would try differently.

[@stickbogart3657]

❤❤ I like the way you’ve done the dryer to keep only dry air going into your compressor. I’ve noticed a lot of other people do the dryer on the output of the air tank, which makes no sense to me. The way you’ve got it done is done right making sure that the air compressor is only pumping dry air into the tank. Most people don’t get that. I got a two-stage V-twin air compressor from Lowe’s 60 gallon tank and I put a digital hour meter on my air compressor The reason I did that it gives me an operating time as to how long the compressor has been running. When the air compressor shuts off and I’m done using it for the day, I turn the switch off the digital hourmeter gets turned off, but it’s still remembers the number of hours that I’ve used the air compressor. I was surprised when I drain the bottom of my air compressor. I got 8 ounces of water out of the bottom of the air compressor so I went to Home Depot and bought everything. I need to build myself a dryer somewhat like yours and the air was going to go through the dryer before it gets put into the air tank. I will also have an air pressure gauge on my dryer. ❤❤. If I had your shop, I would have a switch downstairs where I can turn the air compressor on and off so I did not have to go upstairs to turn it back on all of the time. ❤❤❤

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks for the encouragement. To be honest, I use the breaker to turn it on and off which is downstairs and right by the door. Not EXACTLY what I'm supposed to use to turn it on and off, but it works great.

[@stickbogart3657]

@@3rdstallgarage 🔥🔥🇱🇷 I believe in doing what makes it best for me and it sounds like you do too. I wish I could post pictures of what I’m working on right now you would be impressed.

[@halfstep67]

I used 3/4" Maxline Rapidair and it works well. The piping has an aluminum layer in it making it semi-rigid. It comes in a roll and has to be unrolled and straightened first. It was a little difficult to install but once I got the hang of it, it wasn't too bad. PEX would have been my next choice. Your video was worth watching and well presented.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks!

[@jagd408]

Pex isn't going to blow up, that rapid air stuff is 3x the cost of a pex home depot system.

[@halfstep67]

Pex doesn't have as high of a PSI rating as the RapidAir line. 3/4" Pex is rated at 160 PSI. What makes the RapidAir pricey is the fittings. But if you use comparable fittings on the Pex line, there isn't much of a price difference.@@jagd408 By the time it is all said and done, the RapidAir is the best air system for the money. There are also rebranded air system kits that look just like the RapidAir and are noticeably cheaper.

[@goombagsp]

Glad to see this system, especially the cooling arrangement between the pump head and the tank. Good call on the drop ear fittings and the 3/4" pex. You've convinced me to do the same. The leaking you experienced on the soft copper pipe is because compression ring fittings are not suitable for soft copper pipe - at any pressure. Flare fittings will work, no JB Weld required. If the JB fails going forward, you might want to consider swap out those compression ring fittings for flared fittings. No sweating required, no additional union couplings. You will need a flaring tool for the copper.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks for the advice.

[@dustysrandom5079]

Bout an hour before I watched your video I jb welded my compressor output line. :)

[@3rdstallgarage]

Glad I could help

[@donsmanufactory]

You’ll thank yourself later for using 3/4”. High volume everywhere and there when you need it. Try 4200 sealer on that tank fitting. JB is a bit more permanent. What happens with those compression fittings is the copper tube will collapse in from heat and vibration. Stress relieving loops help too. Good luck.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Loops would have been a good idea...didn't think of that at the time. I assume the JB will fail at some point and I can sweat in a more permanent solution. I wasn't sure about 1/2 or 3/4 but I figured I'd never regret it. Thanks for confirming that decision.

[@joef6858]

I’ll admit I was watching this to see what fitting is used between the pex and the quick disconnect. Thx for showing that part. My next issue is the dryer filters. I’ll watch your vid on that. Thx for sharing.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@akbychoice]

One thing I would do is put drains at each drop point. I use the rapid-air tubing and blocks so they have built in ports for the drains. Moisture is the enemy with compressed air.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Yes, moisture is the enemy. So far, i have drain points near the beginning of the system and I'm not seeing moisture collecting at the drops further along in the system, but I could see where it woudl be wise to have that. Thanks for the comment, particularly for others following along.

[@stickbogart3657]

🍺 it’s pretty nice that you got an upstairs for storage. I think all of us that are mechanically inclined need storage.🍺

[@3rdstallgarage]

Yes. I had to decide if I wanted 9 or 10 ft ceilings OR upstairs storage. Code will only allow me to go so high with the roof. I choose storage and I'm glad I did.

[@AXNJXN1]

Understandably, I'm late to the show and you've no doubt fixed this but you're problem with the 'copper' connections at the compressor is that you're actually using the wrong interface. You should be connecting them with a FLARED fitting instead. High vibration connections and 'gas' based ones require flared fittings. Common mistake many people make but I share this strictly constructively. You're setup and video are wonderful.

[@3rdstallgarage]

That makes sense. I’m glad you commented and hopefully others will read it.

[@ronyerke9250]

I suspect the compression fitting is a factory item. Switching to flared IS a better idea though.

[@stickbogart3657]

🍺 I love the looks of your garage with that wood in the background on the walls. It looks really nice kind of makes me want to do my laundry room just like that it looks really good and you’ve got easy places to Mount anything you want. 🍺

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks! I appreciate it. It's cedar that I got really cheap from a sawmill that had it for years and couldn't sell it. The guy gave me a really good deal. I'm happy with how it came out.

[@stickbogart3657]

@@3rdstallgarage keep up the good work I look forward to more of your videos

[@wolfe2118]

Great video, I'm happy it got pushed on my feed. I just moved my compressors out of my compressor room so that room can become my powdercoating room and installed my compressors temporarily using PVC, I wish I had thought about 3/4 pex as I have 1/2 pex in my house garage and not once have I given it a second thought. I have lots of black pipe and a threader, maybe I'll swap over to pex and use the black pipe for a cooler. I wonder if the cooler would be more efficient if you wrapped the first few pipes with crumpled up aluminum foil.

[@3rdstallgarage]

After using it for a couple of years now, I installed PLENTY of copper pipe and the air is thoroughly cool by the time it gets to the top. THe pipes are barely warm. But, I think the speed of the air is too fast for the water to drop out. I still get some water in my tank.

[@ChrisLawley43]

Thanks for the videos I plan on going with pet as well

[@3rdstallgarage]

I'm really happy with the function of it. I was SUPER happy with how easy it was to install.

[@Lilfarmrboy]

In the bottle gas business we use the other style clamp (the one with the locking mechanism or ear) on CO2 bulk system tanks. While I’m not certain what pressure it could hold on PEX, on rubber lines these clamps will hold 300 psi with ease.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

[@victorthecarguy3126]

Compression fittings always shake looks on refrigeration systems. We always prefer to braze everything when we can get away with it. The JB weld was a good call. Great idea going with PEX.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks. Brazing is a good idea.

[@thardyryll]

Invariably in videos where PEX is used in an air system, there is at least one warning about the risk of UV exposure from sunlight and fluorescent light fixtures. Then there are comments to the contrary. So, what is correct? I have no idea. But for my shop system I bought a bundle of convoluted tubing, that black (in my case) ribbed material split lengthwise. It easily slips over the PEX runs. Is it really necessary? Beats me. Does it look sorta cool? Possibly. Will it protect against UV exposure and whatever risk that poses? If it doesn’t, what the hell would?

[@3rdstallgarage]

Interesting idea. Let's message each other in 20 years and see what we learned over time!! ;)

[@akbychoice]

Keep the sun light off the pex. I’d use plumbers putty before JB-Weld on air fittings.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Yeah, the JB-weld made a poor solution work. It worked. It's not a great solution, but it worked with what stuff I had on hand at the time.

[@T6Tarek]

There is no need to worry about direct sunlight. Pex today has UV inhibitors. Pex of 15 years ago is another story along with poly B, which isn't used anymore. I have an outdoor drop that's been exposed for 6 years. The pipe hasn't discolored or started to degrade.

[@stepheneggert9474]

FYI.. depending where u live..in hot or cold parts of this country..after about 10 yrs I've seen it peel from the inside out..is it caused by the up and down of wheather? It's wierd.. I have old school steel piping.. anytime u run piping..always rule of thumb.add drip legs with ball valves..on them..if u paint..it's a must with air filter system..and air regulars. Nice shop..and wall s...u could add a lift...if u open the 2 nd floor..over a stall . I've got a inground lift..in my home shop..it gives me open floor space.. if u have issues with your compressor..with slud and muck. Replace it ASAP...u have a Chinese built unit..cheap Steele..the bottom could explode..from getting weak over the years if u had muck build up..pls replace..it could save your Life..an exploding tank will tear up your whole shop..under pressure....seen it ..a small 20 gal tank tore up a whole garage..in the middle of the night ..go with a new American made compressor..

[@3rdstallgarage]

Well…we will see what I find out in 10 years!

[@jonnymiskatonic]

I must have missed it in the video but what PSI are you running? I'm looking to do something similar as I have a lot of 3/4" pex but everything I see online says it's rated for 160psi at 73 degrees. I'm in texas so it'll be seeing 100+ regularly. My compressor is rated for 175psi. I can dial it down of course. Any type of pressure testing I have found on Pex online has just been on 1/2" not 3/4"

[@3rdstallgarage]

Sorry for the slow response. I'm running my system 130-140psi (I think).

[@allenr265]

Doesn't the whole floor vibrate being on the second floor? Shouldn't it be on the first floor on concrete? Thanks mate ☺️👍

[@3rdstallgarage]

Yes, it does vibrate through the building a bit. But main level floor space is at a premium and I wanted it out of the way.

[@topafkar]

Nice 👍

[@3rdstallgarage]

Thanks.

[@213gixxer]

Could u do 200psi?

[@3rdstallgarage]

My compressor could never reach that pressure.

[@ronyerke9250]

Oh dear Lord. J.B. Weld as a "temporary" hack? Why not something much easier to remove like teflon tape? You're gunna have to cut the copper tubing and toss the brass if you want to remove the J.B. Say goodbye to the check valve.

[@3rdstallgarage]

Yeah...not the most correct move. Teflon tape wouldn't seal a compression fitting. Sometimes when the stores are closed and you're trying to make it work, you get creative...and temporary.