A reader (thank you, Brandon!) wrote in about this new Dewalt compressed air piping system (DXCM024-0400), which is designed for installing surface-mounted air lines in a workshop environment.
Other brands offer kits similar to this one, such as Husky’s air compressor extension kit.
This Dewalt air plumbing kit has a larger tubing size – 3/4″ inner diameter, 1″ outer diameter – similar to other brands’ higher capacity kits.
It comes with 100 feet of HDPE/aluminum tubing that can withstand up to 200 PSI of pressure at 73°F and 160 PSI at 140° F. The tubing can be cut to size with the included tool, and will hold its shape when bent. It can be bent around corners with a 6″ minimum radius.
The kit comes with an assortment of manifolds, tee fittings, elbow fittings, straight fittings, drain valves, and mounting brackets. It also comes with a tubing cutter and a deburring tool.
All of the fittings are compression-style, for an easy and tight leak-free fit.
Here’s a full list of what you get:
- 100′ 3/4″ tubing
- (3) aluminum outlet manifolds
- (1) 3/4″ x 3/4″ NPT straight fitting
- (3) 3/4″ x 1/2″ NPT straight fitting
- (3) 3/8″ NPT drain valves
- (2) 3/4″ x 3/4″ x 3/4″ tee fittings
- (2) 3/4″ x 3/4″ elbow fittings
- (20) Steel mounting brackets
- Tube cutter
- Deburring tool
Installation requires additional tools:
- 2 adjustable wrenches or pliers
- Permanent marker
- PTFE thread seal tape
- Pipe sealant
- (40) Fasteners for surface mounting (Must fit in 1/4″ Hole)
I would also add a stud finder to the list, at the least.
Dewalt’s user manual also advises that users should NOT connect this kit directly to an air compressor., and that a 3/4″ NPT hydraulic hose (not included) needs to be used to help minimize vibration to the workshop’s air plumbing.
Perhaps Rapidair’s 3/4″ x 3′ air compressor jumper hose, which is rated at 200 PSI, might serve this purpose. (It’s available via Amazon and you can find similar products at other dealers as well.)
A high quality 3/4″ filter regulator is also recommended, with the manual emphasizing one must be used.
The wall clips (included) should be spaced 5′ apart.
The user manual also illustrates a typical layout that utilizes the full kit.
Using the included accessories, there’s an air supply line – which should be decoupled from the air compressor using a hydraulic hose to minimize vibrations – and also 3 supply branch lines, each with a drain and threaded port.
This is probably where the user manual’s recommendation for 1/2″ NPT male quick connect fittings come in.
Price: $219 and up
Discussion
In my opinion, there are 3 main benefits to air line plumbing kits like this: easier planning, easier installation, and easier expandability.
Although this new Dewalt kit does not look to do anything new or differently compared to other air line plumbing kits already on the market, it at least seems competitive. However, what if users want another supply line branch? What if they need additional compression fittings?
Users should be able to mix and match with other brands’ accessories and add-on components. Maybe?
It is my understanding that Dewalt’s air hoses, hose reels, and other similar air compressor accessories are licensed products, although this could be wrong or have changed. I cannot reliably pinpoint who their supplier might be for this kit, but maybe you’ll have better luck – let us know in the comments!
The reader that brought up this kit asked for my take on it, so here it is.
Home Depot’s $270 price is a bit higher than I’d want to pay, seeing as how competing systems are priced at $219. I’ll spend more for preferred colors, but $50 more for yellow tubing and black-finish hardware?
Shopping around, CPO has this kit for $219, matching the price of the Maxline kit on Amazon.
As mentioned, you’ll need more supplies than just this kit, such as a properly-rated jumper hose for your compressor connection, and a filtered regulator, plus some basic hand tools and whatever you might need for surface-mounting the tubing and branch lines. This is true for any brand’s piping kit.
I have not used such a setup myself yet, but I would. Kits like this are more trouble-free than having to research, source, and install properly-rated rigid tubing separately.
The Dewalt’s product listing and marketing information does not full educate potential customers as much as what I have seen from other brands’ products, which is fine, but I personally prefer a little more handholding with products like this.
The user manual fills in most of the gaps, but leaves a few questions, such as where to source additional accessories should system expansion be necessary.
Let’s say you mangle one of the fittings, can you source a replacement? Would the Maxline M8005 straight fitting with 3/4″ tubing compression socket and 1/2″ NPT Male thread do the trick?
What if you buy the Dewalt kit and need an additional length of hose? Can you buy just the hose, or do you need to buy a second kit?
I am familiar with air piping kits, but not enough to know whether different brands’ tubing and fittings work well with each other. I have seen “standards” differ in enough product categories where compatibility is not guaranteed.
The Dewalt could be a great product. Maybe it’s on-par with competing products, or perhaps better in some way, but I fail to discern any obvious advantages.
