Logic Industries AirBase - Plumb your shop for compressed air using inexpensive PEX poly tube.

AirBase Shop Air Plumbing System
Plumb your shop for compressed air using inexpensive PEX style poly tubing.



Every shop or garage guy knows how big a drag it is to have a long hose stretched completely across their work space when they want to use compressed air anywhere except right next to their compressor.

The better solution is to tuck the compressor away in some unused corner (or another room entirely) and plumb the compressed air to several hard points around the shop, but many people don't undertake this project because it can be a daunting and expensive task.

Traditionally, compressed air piping has been constructed from steel with threaded joints or copper with soldered joints. Both of these systems require skills and machinery that not every DIY'er currently possesses. Additionally, the materials are expensive to procure, and both kinds of piping are time consuming to install.

A couple of big companies have recently introduced new proprietary piping systems using aluminum wrapped poly tube with compression lock fittings or nylon tubing with push-connect fittings which have reduced the need for special equipment and skill, but these systems are still exceptionally expensive, sometimes rivaling or exceeding the cost of traditional piping.

The AirBase system is Logic Industries' answer to this construction problem.

Instead of proprietary tubing and fittings, we have opted for standard NPT (tapered pipe) threaded ports on our wall mounting blocks, which allows you the versatility of using ANY tube you like.

While versatility is a laudable thing, the AirBase really shines when paired with standard 1/2" diameter PEX style polyethylene tubing, which is available at any hardware or big box home improvement store.

This compatibility with off-the-shelf tubing lets you buy the easily shipped AirBase wall mounts, PEX fittings, and crimp rings over the internet, while you source the bulky and difficult to ship PEX tubing at your local hardware store, saving yourself considerable money in the process. The tubing is available in rolls from 50ft to 300ft in length and in several colors, for ~30¢-50¢ per ft (compared to $4-$6 per ft for the proprietary nylon or aluminum wrapped poly tube).

PEX connections require a crimping tool, which can be purchased through us or elsewhere on eBay, or can be sourced locally from the same place you buy the tubing. We recommend the stainless steel side crimp style clinch rings, as they can be installed much more easily than the copper circular crimp rings. Side crimp tools are also much more inexpensive than the circular crimping tools, and can be operated with only one hand.

Most PEX type tubing carries a working pressure rating of 150-200PSI (check your specific tube to verify this, obviously), which easily covers the range of pressures generated by most home shop and small industrial air compressors. It is also exceptionally flexible, which reduces the number of fittings required for installation by allowing you to simply bend it around or over/under obstacles instead of having to install elbows and unions for every direction change.

Using PEX type tube for your air plumbing also lends flexibility to your air system, because any time you need to add a new AirBase, you simply cut the tube where you want to mount the new block and crimp a tee fitting into the newly created gap.

You can add to the system at will, with no more hassle than if you'd installed it all at the same time.

The AirBase mounting block input port is threaded 1/2" NPT and the output port in the face is thread 1/4" NPT to accept whatever brand and style of quick disconnect fitting that you currently use. NO QD FITTINGS ARE INCLUDED.

We recommend cleaning all threaded connections into the AirBase with quick evaporating solvent to remove any oil or coolant residue from the machining process, and application of LocTite brand No. 567 PST thread sealant to the threads on the fittings before installation. These connections should then be allowed to cure for 12-24hrs before pressure is applied to the system.

Each AirBase assembly includes:
One (1) AirBase mounting block
One (1) Brass 1/2" NPT male to 1/2" PEX tube nipple
One (1) Stainless Steel Side Crimp clinch ring

Available Quantities and their Prices:


Three (3) AirBase assemblies - $63

Five (5) AirBase assemblies - $99

Ten (10) AirBase assemblies - $195

Shipping is by USPS Priority Mail, and is $10 for up to five AirBases, and $19 for six or more. Orders over ten will need to PM me for a shipping quote based on number of parts. Shipping for HAMB Alliance Members is FREE. No further Alliance Discounts on these parts though. I'm sorry, but the price is as close to the bone as it can get already.

We accept PayPal, money orders, checks, artfully concealed cash, and precious metals (at current spot price) for payment.

These AirBase mounting blocks are CNC machined by Logic Industries LLC in the USA, from American made 6061 T-651 aluminum bar stock.

Production of these parts is ongoing, but because of demand, please be aware that shipping of your order may be delayed several business days from the time of payment. We're doing everything we can to keep that delay to a minimum, but there are only so many hours in the day. Your patience is appreciated.

If you or someone you know is thinking of installing a compressed air system in your shop, please give our AirBases a look.

If you're not in the market for such a thing, help us spread the word to the folks that are.

We're confident that you'll be happy with the performance of our AirBases, their ease of installation, and utility, because we walk the talk. We used these same parts to run the air lines in our own shop, and they've performed flawlessly.

All Logic Industries products are designed and manufactured in the USA, using US made material.

Thanks for looking!

 

Bumpus Maximus!

 

Bump!