Plumbing air in the shop..

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Getting ready to run air in my shop, just curious if anyone here has had any experience with this product: http://rapidairproducts.com/pdfs/Maxline-Brochure.pdfUnfortunately my shop is all done so this will be surface mounted. Would like to also know if it would be worth bumping up to the 3/4" even though the outlet on my compressor is 1/2" NPT, I am thinking that a long run of the 3/4 would be better. My shop is 80' long.1963 SA 200 Redface, rebuilt by me, bodywork by CEP Everlast 255EXT w/W300 coolerMiller 212 AutosetMiller Xtreme 375Bridgeport MillSouth Bend 9" Lathe
Reply:Originally Posted by JASGetting ready to run air in my shop, just curious if anyone here has had any experience with this product: http://rapidairproducts.com/pdfs/Maxline-Brochure.pdfUnfortunately my shop is all done so this will be surface mounted. Would like to also know if it would be worth bumping up to the 3/4" even though the outlet on my compressor is 1/2" NPT, I am thinking that a long run of the 3/4 would be better. My shop is 80' long.
Reply:A customer of mine who was in the mobile home industry felt sorry for me right after I moved into my shop because I had air hoses running everywhere and hadnt had time to plumb my compressor.  He showed up with PEX tubing and crimp fittings and plumbed my entire shop in about 2 hours.  I was at the shop for 6 years and my brother in law ran the shop another 4 or 5 and never had a single leak in the system.  PEX tubing appears to be fairly similar to the poduct you have given the link to.
Reply:That's aluminized PEX don't ask the price or you go into shockUse standard PEXBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Just weld up tubing.  I've done this for a 10,000+ sq/ft shop and we ran all aluminum TIG welded tubing (you could use steel, if looking to spend less).  This is a pretty high end shop, so they were running a nice scroll compressor, and we ran large 2-2.5" main tubing, and it branched down the walls in 1" tubing.  Works great, and the lines hold a lot of air in addition to the compressor tank.Craig MontgomeryM&L Fabrication, LLChttps://www.facebook.com/pages/ML-Fa...8228829?ref=hl
Reply:i got that kit at northern tools with a $20 off coupon # 155701 good till end of month.it was also cheaper on line than in the store so i think I paid $80 for it. haven't had a chance to install it yet.
Reply:I use 1" and 3/4" black pipe. Got most of it off  job sites from the sprinkler fitters over the years. You wont regret going bigger. RonRegistered Six OffenderHome of the Buzzin Half Dozen
Reply:I plumbed mine 15 years ago with PVC pipe, cheap and easy, not had a problem.Cheers Andrew
Reply:your braver than i am, i have seen what happens when pvc air lines fail.   I think i would rather be dead than in the same room with that.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by Dualieyour braver than i am, i have seen what happens when pvc air lines fail.   I think i would rather be dead than in the same room with that.
Reply:I don't have experience with the MaxLine stuff, but I did do my garage with the original RapidAir system. It sure was way faster than any other form of piping, and it's really easy to change in the future. One problem with the RapidAir is that the tubing is REALLY hard to get straight...luckily most of my runs were in the attic, but for those few short feet that were surface mounted on the wall I had to use a heat gun to straighten it out (otherwise I would have needed clamps ever 12" or so).
Reply:Originally Posted by JASSame here. PVC is a very bad idea.
Reply:I just plumbed my 32x40 shop with 1/2" air brake line and the push to connect fittings. Cheap easy and done.Tim Beeker.
Reply:I have the kit with the standard tubing like this:  http://rapidairproducts.com/pdfs/rap...ochure2011.pdf I am very happy with it, I especially like the outlet blocks. But if I had it to do over, I would purchase a couple extra outlet blocks separately, and buy some proper T splitters instead of their "manifold block". I would not bother going up to 3/4" tubing, unless you plan on running something like a big jack hammer, 1/2" is more than enough.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:1/2 inch copper tubing works for my little garage, easy to sweat and good for cooling the air!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Originally Posted by FODFAI plumbed mine 15 years ago with PVC pipe, cheap and easy, not had a problem.Cheers Andrew
Reply:Here's  Some info and other modular kit options from tptools. One of the things that I gathered from this was the use of metal piping to help cool the air so that it can condense the moisture in it So that it can be removed by the water separator/filter.Millermatic 135Craftsman 7 Hp 80 Gallon           2 stage compressor
Reply:I forgot to add the linkhttp://www.tptools.com/p/2035,114_Mo...ping-Kits.htmlMillermatic 135Craftsman 7 Hp 80 Gallon           2 stage compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by [email protected]/2 inch copper tubing works for my little garage, easy to sweat and good for cooling the air!
Reply:I agree with the "go up size" comments. As far as a 1/2 outlet at the compressor verses 3/4 shop piping. An outlet restriction is a different equation than the losses of pressure due to frictional velocity in a smaller diameter pipe.I was in a commercial shop one time that had copper installed and agree that it not only looked good but helped with the moisture issues also. As far as running iron/steel pipe, my personal experience has shown a lot of rust/crud reduced tool life.
Reply:as stated before, PEX tubing and use push-to-connects to make modifications really easy like adding a branch later. question for OP, is that a Henderson in your avatar?
Reply:Originally Posted by filletheadas stated before, PEX tubing and use push-to-connects to make modifications really easy like adding a branch later. question for OP, is that a Henderson in your avatar?
Reply:I used braded clear hose from the hardware store.  Very good burst and working rating. Attached ImagesDave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:very cool. when you get your air lines run reply back please and update us.
Reply:Originally Posted by aDreamSoRealGot 12 years on mine. No problems.[QUOTE=SidecarFlip;2079611]Hope you make 13.  I had most of my shop in PVC and I had one line let go.  I wasntt in there but it took out 2 windows and embedded shrapnel in the wall.  Little slivers, the kind that cut you real bad....Interesting...had not heard that would happen, glad I used flexible stuff....Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by SidecarFlip...  I had most of my shop in PVC and I had one line let go.  I wasntt in there but it took out 2 windows and embedded shrapnel in the wall.  Little slivers, the kind that cut you real bad....
Reply:Originally Posted by aDreamSoRealGot 12 years on mine. No problems.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPHope you don't have 3 or more employees. http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html
Reply:No I don't remember that at all. Someone actually used PVC for air lines?!!!!!! Surprised Doc didn't go through the roof!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Pressure testing the bilge piping to 100 psi. Sounded like a bomb went off, shrapnel everywhere. Not pretty. We went to water testing right after that.1963 SA 200 Redface, rebuilt by me, bodywork by CEP Everlast 255EXT w/W300 coolerMiller 212 AutosetMiller Xtreme 375Bridgeport MillSouth Bend 9" Lathe
Reply:Originally Posted by filletheadvery cool. when you get your air lines run reply back please and update us.
Reply:Originally Posted by [email protected]/2 inch copper tubing works for my little garage, easy to sweat and good for cooling the air!
Reply:The danger of using PVC in pressure applications is so great that the local municipality's will not allow it in an industrial setting in ANY capacity.    They wont even let you use it for exposed water lines.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Had a customer with about 400' of giant PVC (~3") running all the way around the weld shop on the inside of the bldg in argon service.  Seems like line pressure was ~80 PSI.  Shop practice was to shut the line off every night and open it back up in the morning.  One fine morning they opened it up and the entire line shattered into pieces about the size of potato chips.  Took several pickup loads to haul it all off.  One explanation that was suggested was the the shop full of TIG welders were cranking out way more UV than sunlight and it started to degrade the pipe.  Lucky that the shop was empty as they were just getting started up.  Those fragments were sharp as hell.  I think they used that thin a$$ Class 200 stuff as wellExperience is something you get right after you need it
Reply:Im in the process for throwing together a shop across the street from my current one to meet my current demand.     It was already plumed for air with a compressor on the roof which is DOA.   Plumed a 7.5 horse 2stage that i have had for a while now and got er running and blowing air.   couple of unions, some galv pipe and threading tool i already had and im ready to blow.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I got most of the Maxline 3/4" installed this weekend. Still have to tie in to the new compressor. It went fairly well, might have gone a little better with a helper but still a doable "by yourself" project. Attached Images1963 SA 200 Redface, rebuilt by me, bodywork by CEP Everlast 255EXT w/W300 coolerMiller 212 AutosetMiller Xtreme 375Bridgeport MillSouth Bend 9" Lathe
Reply:I have garage envyVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:3/4" pvc about 16-17yrs ago..  I didnt use the cheap stuff.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:Originally Posted by DualieI have garage envy
Reply:Hey I think I see a crosley. Looks a lot better than mine though.Lincolin Power Wave 450, Lincoln Powermig 255, Lincoln Pro Mig 140, Lincoln Squarewave Tig 275, Miller Big 40 G(with Hobart Hefty suitcase), Thermal Arc 95S and Esab PCM875 in an already full machine shop.
Reply:Most places I have been use gas pipe.
Reply:1" blk iron pipe for me.   But I am a plumber and had drops left over from other jobs.   1/2" dropsMiller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Black iron pipe. I put 1/2" in, shoulda went 3/4" but had lots of 1/2" on hand.Wouldn't think of using anything else. Miles of it ran in the GM plants I worked in, it's good enough for me Nice playpen JAS
Reply:I'm surprised that a couple posters installed RapidAir and didn't hate it.  I installed it, ripped it right back out, and replaced with 1/2" copper.  At least half the RapidAir fittings leaked, and the tubing's memory caused it to curl right back up wherever it could, so it looked like hell.  Worst purchase I ever made.  Copper was faster to install, after accounting for the time spent battling the curling nylon tubing, looks and works better, and wasn't much more expensive.  I used a mix of Sharkbite fittings, for convenience/expandability, and sweated joints.__David Hillman
Reply:Sharkbites? Really?   I hope those god forsaken things work better on air than they do water.   Watch your tail is all I have to say.Miller BobcatHarris cutting outfitMiller spectrum 625 plasmaVariety of shopmade tools
Reply:[quote=MinnesotaDave;2080021] Originally Posted by SidecarFlipHope you make 13.  I had most of my shop in PVC and I had one line let go.  I wasntt in there but it took out 2 windows and embedded shrapnel in the wall.  Little slivers, the kind that cut you real bad....Interesting...had not heard that would happen, glad I used flexible stuff....
Reply:Go black pipe, erw type (hardware store stuff)  with m/iron fittings. Run a water filter or drip legs with a couple valves to bleed off condensate and your good. Liked the flow chart posted earlier, good info.
Reply:Would like to plump air too when I get time. Dragging hoses around is a drag. Am thinking either regular compressor hoses, seeing how they are made for air pressure anyhow, with copper pipe zig-zag drops to run off water. Or going all copper 1/2" pipe. My compressor is in the middle of the building, so runs won't be long and it's mostly just me in the shop. I've got a crap load of 90's and "T"'s from 20 yrs ago when they were way cheaper than now and would just have to buy the copper pipe and air fittings. Any of you that have copper or are learned in what is best, know what type of solder to use? Thanks for the infoB200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:OK. you guys changed my mind. NO PVC for me. I am going to the RapidAir system instead. That project is still a couple of weeks away though. Still too many projects for the 40x60x16 shop. Rebuilding air compressor, just finished electrical (over $2.5k in lights, wire, boxes, conduit), just finished gutters and down spouts, still have to build the office area and put in the septic. Good thing I have a backhoe.Weekend hobbies are so nice and relaxing aren't they?