My RapidAir FastPipe and MaxLine hybrid system install

[slodat]

Thought I'd share my air system. I started buying stuff two years ago for the air distribution in my 3500sq ft upholstery shop. I got a decent deal on two RapidAir MaxLine 3/4@ systems. They sat on the shelf for quite a while why other shop stuff was getting done. Fast forward to last November when I picked up the compressor I had been eyeballing. It's a custom machine by Pacific Compressor in Portland- Champion 15hp pump with a 7.5hp motor, spinning at half RPM. About 575 pump rpm. It's fully packaged with aftercooler and auto drain. At that point I started sorting out how it was all going to work.


There's quite a bit of visible, long straight runs in the shop bays where the compressor is located. I decided to get a FastPipe setup in 3/4 for those longer runs and transition to MaxLine with NPT connectors. I laid it all out on the bench and ordered more fittings and what not.




My shop will use air in many places- spray booth, sand blaster, automated pneumatically operated dust collection blast gates, automatic sewing machines, CO2 laser air assist, glue pot and so on..

I got the compressor wired in and starting installing the air system. I wanted a full pressure tap in case I ever had a call for it. Then it gets reduced to header pressure. Thinking this will be around 90-100psi. After that is a soft start valve. This allows me to slowly pressurize the system with a control switch in a different part of the shop. The same switch depressurizes the system. The soft start valve has a muffler to help with the noise. Then, air goes out to the shop.




Here you can see the Fastpipe -> MaxLine transition on the far right. The red hose whip is for a hose reel that will be mounted to the beam.


Some of the fittings and what not..

 

[nes999]

I really like those reel craft hose reels. They seem to hold up better than any other brand Ive used. It seems like systems similar to rapid air will be the future. I am seeing large business plumb their building with them. I know Starrett uses a system extremely similar to this.

 

[slodat]

I got a great deal on the the Reelcraft on ebay. It had some damage that I was able to fix. I also got two Cox reels off Amazon Warehouse deals for a little over half price.

I really like the RapidAir stuff. Ordering fittings and what not direct from them has gone well. They ship USPS priority and they ship same day most of the time.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looking forward to the install!

 

[gasserdan]

I just wish rapid air was U.S.A. made instead of Chinese made.

 

[mburrus]

i really wish they would make transition fittings between max line and fast pipe without having to walk it through NPT.. just an extra fitting to leak, and extra cost... i would like to run my main trunk in fast pipe and do all drops in max line...

 

[slodat]

Agree! The NPT fitting transition seems good thus far. It ***** not being able to bend it much. That and the fact they don't make a 3/4" 45 is why I have a hybrid system.


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[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . just LOVE that stubby tank Champion !!

How many gallons is that, and how did you find that ??

 

[slodat]

As I mentioned in the first post, it's a model that Pacific Compressor puts together. 80 gallon tank.


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[Firebrand]

Great build! Excellent choice on the Champion-I'm a fan as well and love mine.

Please keep telling the story of how you set up the remainder of your air system.

 

[racerboy]

System looks great! I have a Champion vertical 60 gal tank and used a flex-line to attach it to black pipe in my last garage. I would like to go with the RapidAir system in my new garage and was just curious if the kit came with the connector to that black flex-hose.

Thanks!


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[Brock Wood]

2 thumbs up!!

 

[slodat]

Great build! Excellent choice on the Champion-I'm a fan as well and love mine.

Please keep telling the story of how you set up the remainder of your air system.

Great build! Excellent choice on the Champion-I'm a fan as well and love mine.

Please keep telling the story of how you set up the remainder of your air system.

Thanks for the kind words and following along guys!

... curious if the kit came with the connector to that black flex-hose.

Both the MaxLine and FastPipe 100' kits came with a 3/4 MPT fitting for connection to the compressor. They sell a 3" 3/4 whip that works with this. My compressor came with one.


I just pressurized the system as shown in the photos below. The soft start valve is so nice! I have a smaller one in my dust collection automation system.

I got the Reel Craft hose reel up. Nice unit! So much more to do. The Fastpipe -> MaxLine -> FastPipe transition worked well for navigating the pipe under the beam.

I saw on RapidAir's website they now offer a straightener for the MaxLine.. Thinking about ordering it to speed up the install of that stuff.

Current:

 

[Z2V]

Can I ask, what is the benefit in using a 7.5hp motor on 15hp pump and spinning it half speed?
Nice install you have going on! What is the diameter of that 80 gal tank? From the pic it doesn't look 3ft tall.
Subscribed!

 

[slodat]

Can I ask, what is the benefit in using a 7.5hp motor on 15hp pump and spinning it half speed?
Nice install you have going on! What is the diameter of that 80 gal tank? From the pic it doesn't look 3ft tall.
Subscribed!

Spinning at half rpm means it's quieter and will basically last forever. The tank is squarish..

Got through Bay 2!!


There are two 1/2 NPT tees with plugs in them for any future needs in Bay 2. You never know when the CNC router might get an ATC spindle friend.. and a CNC milling machine

Next up is Bay 3 - the woodshop..

 

[slodat]

Woodshop hose reel is up as well as an outlet drop below it on the wall. This is my assembly area in the woodshop. Having the hose reel and a drop lets me keep two (or three if I remove the plug) tolls plugged in should I need it.


The run down the wall is level. I used my laser to locate the mounting clips. The beam is on an angle. The FastPipe bends like total **** with a conduit bender. Good thing it's behind dust collection ducting so I don't have to stare at it.


I need a FastPipe tee for the drop on the back wall. Not much FastPipe left to install. Then I transition to MaxLine and head into the next group of rooms. Rapid Air offers a MaxLine straighter now. I'm going to get it ordered. It will look so much better..

 

[Grandmaster]

Hey Slodat,

I really like your compressor and set-up. I am in the process of shopping for a new compressor and air delivery system. I was wondering why you decided to use the fast pipe instead of the maxline?

I was thinking the maxline would be nice for the long runs because I would not need couplers. Also the maxline has a larger I.D. for a little more flow. The saddle drops available for the fast pipe would be nice for future additional drops though.

Man they are proud of the straightener! Did you consider making the straightener that they provide plans for on their website? Some scrap mdf or plywood and $40 or so in supplies.

 

[slodat]

Like I said in my first post, I bought two MaxLine kits a couple years ago. When I started laying out the system I realized I would have these long visible runs and decided to get the FastPipe for those long runs. The couplers are no big deal. I'm not sure how it will go trying to straighten MaxLine for long runs.

The 3/4 MaxLine is a bit larger ID than the 3/4 FastPipe. I was aware of that when I ordered. I'm simply not going to need anything larger. The saddle drops only work on 1" and larger FastPipe.

I've looked at the DIY straightener. I just want to get this installed.. I'm happy with the hybrid system I put together. I'm trying to decide if I get more FastPipe for my other big, visible bay and just use the MaxLine in the small rooms where it isn't very visible..

 

[slodat]

The RapidAir MaxLine tubing straightener came today.





I ran a 6' chunk through it. Came out a lot straighter than I could get without it. Seems like one row of wheel height should be adjustable for tension. Instead they tapped three sets of holes that must line up with their 1/2, 3/4 and 1" tubing.

 

[nine4gmc]

Awesome!

 

[slodat]

I got three of these 4.5" pressure gauges on eBay for a very good price. Going to put the other two in the finishing room and main upholstery bay.

 

[motofool33]

nice install i need to do some fast pipe in my shop hoses on the floor is getting old.

 

[Scrambler82]

Thanks for the write-up !
I will be using the MaxLine for my whole system, easier to form to fit... I am hoping !

The main question I have is "Where is the best place to buy MaxLine" ?

 

[slodat]

Thanks for the write-up !

I will be using the MaxLine for my whole system, easier to form to fit... I am hoping !



The main question I have is "Where is the best place to buy MaxLine" ?

It's somewhat the same price most places online. I think I went with Amazon.

 

[slodat]

Ran the MaxLine to the laser. It went it well. I really like the way it goes mounting to unistrut. Air runs through a separator, pressure regulator and Motorguard filter. I also hung the last air hose reel.





Paint was a bit soft. I’ll touch it up.

 

[IndyGarage]

I looked at that system and it seems very easy but to get the amount of stuff I wanted I was going to have to buy three kits, which got expensive.

I just used Pex and it seems to work just fine.

 

[pancho400cid]

Awesome!

That compressor will be running when everyone on this thread is dead and gone.....

 

[Lootenny]

Do you still have the tubing straightener, and if so are you interested in renting it out or selling it?


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[larry4406]

Nice system Slodat.

Can you provide make and model of the soft start air shutoff valve you installed?

I need an air shutoff valve for my compressor which I plan to relocate to my detached barn and thus far am looking at the RapidAir version due to its stated high pressure rating of 230 psi. I plan to have full compressor pressure in the main line then regulate at point of use (around 350' pipe length from barn to point of use in house garage). My compressor has 175 psi max rating.
https://www.rapidairproducts.com/sh...ries/3-4-female-npt-compressor-shut-off-valve

 

[slodat]

https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...s)/soft_start_valves_(asd_series)/asd-44-120a

It’s rated for less than 175. That’s why I have the main pressure regulator upstream of the soft start.

 

[larry4406]

https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...s)/soft_start_valves_(asd_series)/asd-44-120a

It’s rated for less than 175. That’s why I have the main pressure regulator upstream of the soft start.

Thank you. Your placement makes sense then.

 

[nadogail]

Thanks for sharing, IMHO your installation is a work of art.

 

[MoonShiner]

Looking at these installs I see some using 90 degree elbows and some just bending the pipe in a sweeping curve. What are the pros and cons of these two approaches? I bought several elbows but now second guessing. They are pricey.

 

[FTG-05]

Looking at these installs I see some using 90 degree elbows and some just bending the pipe in a sweeping curve. What are the pros and cons of these two approaches? I bought several elbows but now second guessing. They are pricey.

Plus, less back pressure, although it would be very slight.

I like the fact that I was able to hand-bend two 90 degree turns without having to use another fitting.

Here's a pic of it at the near end of my shop. There's another one going up and over a high door at the compressor end and manifold, but I don't have a pic of it. That's two 90 degree fittings saved.