Ask Rapidair!

[rkrcpa]

I have the Home Garage kit with the flexible tubing. Is there an easy way to get the lines to relax and lay flat? My last garage the flex was so bad I ran the pipe through PVC just to make it run straight.

 

[carap]

I started putting up about 600' of 1" Fastpipe in my shop today. I need to go over the top of some electrical conduit. Is is possible to make an offset bend in the Fastpipe with a conduit bender?

 

[sberry]

I am not sure how it bends but I might be tempted to,,,, take a hammer and ding the conduit ever so slight, not so much as you notice it, put a little piece of camper top foam there, let the air pipe bend over it and put a hanger 3 or 4 ft each side, just bow it. I might try and see how it worked.

 

[Patchzx7r]

I wasn’t able to find how long I can make a run when i loop it with 1/2” line?

 

[sberry]

It depends on the volume you want or need to run? What is the goal, what size building etc.

 

[MitchH]

I started putting up about 600' of 1" Fastpipe in my shop today. I need to go over the top of some electrical conduit. Is is possible to make an offset bend in the Fastpipe with a conduit bender?

Hi Carap,

You can bend the 1" Fastpipe up to 15 degrees

 

[MitchH]

I have the Home Garage kit with the flexible tubing. Is there an easy way to get the lines to relax and lay flat? My last garage the flex was so bad I ran the pipe through PVC just to make it run straight.

Hi Rkrcpa, Unfortunately there is no easy way, usually installing it when its warmer will help, but the nylon tubing in the home garage kit doesn't have anything that will help it, hold its shape.

 

[Jawn]

Hi MitchH, I have a bit of feedback...

I bought the 1/2" garage kit a few years back but when handling the tubing whatever blue dye is in that comes off on my hands and anything the tubing touches (wall surfaces, etc). Is that the norm or did I get a defective lot?

 

[70Tom]

Hi, I just purchased a C-Aire A075V080-3230 7.5 HP 208-230 Volt Three Phase Two Stage 80 Gallon Air Compressor, along with a RapidAir 3/4" MaxLine 100 ft master kit for my home shop.

I have restored several vehicles over the years, and other than for a short period of time, I've never had a really good compressor. Well, I've never had a compressor as good as this one, period.

I bought it to allow me to work on all phases of vehicles, including rust removal (blasting) and painting.

My question is this: what air dryer/filter system would you recommend?

I'm located in Phoenix, AZ, so humidity is a non-issue, but air temps obviously are. I won't be painting full time, but will paint projects here and there, as need be. As I dropped a ton of money (for me) on the compressor, I'm not in the market for a really expensive dryer system (I've seen many that are $1000+) at the moment.

Thanks for the help.

 

[motofool33]

Hi, I just purchased a C-Aire A075V080-3230 7.5 HP 208-230 Volt Three Phase Two Stage 80 Gallon Air Compressor, along with a RapidAir 3/4" MaxLine 100 ft master kit for my home shop.

I have restored several vehicles over the years, and other than for a short period of time, I've never had a really good compressor. Well, I've never had a compressor as good as this one, period.

I bought it to allow me to work on all phases of vehicles, including rust removal (blasting) and painting.

My question is this: what air dryer/filter system would you recommend?

I'm located in Phoenix, AZ, so humidity is a non-issue, but air temps obviously are. I won't be painting full time, but will paint projects here and there, as need be. As I dropped a ton of money (for me) on the compressor, I'm not in the market for a really expensive dryer system (I've seen many that are $1000+) at the moment.

Thanks for the help.

Sure you have 3phase power at home?

I went from a 5hp 2 stage conpressor which made lots of water to a large quincy 15hp pump pulley'd down to 7.5hp single phase motor and it doesnt make much of any water i get a shot glass every couple days in houston where humidity is high.

You can build and after cooler with a nice fan and i bet u wont have any trouble. Or use a desicant dryer system for blasting and paint. But a motor guard 5inch filter should be enough.


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[Lucky13driver]

I'm using two of the 3/4" max air kits I bought at Northern Tool. I installed them while my house was being framed up. Were I live code requires that the garage is sheetrocked. I was considering copper however, the cost is higher than what I paid for the two kits. It looks good and has been in service for 4 years now and 0 problems. The only downside is if you have to by extra fittings they are on the expensive side.

 

[OldracerJones]

I recently added an connection outside my shop for some metal restoration welding I'm starting on and was very surprised how coiled the line was, it made it very hard to get a seal with the push in fittings. It appears to have a memory as it recoils as soon as I let it go. Tried heating it with a heat gun and while it did help straighten it, it went back to a coil in a minute or two. Is it just too old?

 

[StRacerDuke]

Just an FYI, after doing a lot more investigation it looks like the rapid air flex kits are using basic PEX-AL-PEX tube, with compression fittings. There are various manufactures of tube and fittings, including tub in multiple color options.

If you are looking for white tube, check out Viega FrostPEX.

https://www.pexuniverse.com/how-make-pex-al-pex-compression-connection

 

[MitchH]

Just an FYI, after doing a lot more investigation it looks like the rapid air flex kits are using basic PEX-AL-PEX tube, with compression fittings. There are various manufactures of tube and fittings, including tub in multiple color options.

If you are looking for white tube, check out Viega FrostPEX.

https://www.pexuniverse.com/how-make-pex-al-pex-compression-connection

Hi STRacerDuke,

PEX-AL-Pex is way different than HDPE-AL-HDPE, both have their own ASTM# they meet, PEX meets ASTM F1281 while HDPE meets ASTM F1282. I can tell you Pex is rated for infloor heating lines but will not pass any building/OSHA codes for installation (Liquid PSI and Compressed Air PSI are totally different). If you want more information, Google PEX vs HDPE.

Thanks Guys!

 

[shaune]

Mitch I have the 1/2” 100 kit with 2 outlets. Problem is leaking air at the push connections. Solution ?

 

[MitchH]

Mitch I have the 1/2” 100 kit with 2 outlets. Problem is leaking air at the push connections. Solution ?

Hi Shaune,

Make sure the tubing is cut flush and straight, next try another fitting if just one is leaking, could be a bad seal. #3. Make sure it is a Rapidair Kit and not a Grip-Clip garage kit. Let me know if any of those help and how many are leaking along with how old it is. thanks!

 

[carap]

Just finished my install of Fastpipe.

Tubing cutter leaves a pretty good burr in inside of pipe. The deburring tool that comes in the toolkit doesn't work very well.

I used a step drill and it worked like a charm.

 

[tom86951]

Very cool thread -- glad to see RapidAir here

I am in the final stages of finishing a 1200 sq. ft. garage. It will have four car bays across the front (with a 4-post lift in one bay) and a workshop area/bench/cabinets behind the cars. Purely residential auto shop with mostly automotive air tools (air ratchets, grinders, etc., plus a dry blast cabinet that uses lots of air). No plans to paint. I'm going to put a 5hp Champion 60 gallon compressor behind the back wall of the garage, then plumb it though the wall into the garage and use a RapidAir system to get outlets were I need them... Very interested in what you'd recommend.

1. I was thinking 3/4" MaxLine system, since the rafters/garage a quirky shape with things to navigate. Sound right?
2. How many ports/outlets would you all recommend? I was thinking one over the main bench work area; two ports over the car bays (one between bay 1&2, and the other between bay 3&4); a dedicated line to the lift release mechanism; and a line to the blast cabinet. I figured after using the garage a while I could always add more if/where needed?
3. Is there a "best" way to get the RapidAir though the back wall of the garage?
4. Can I use regular 1/4" couplers without compromising the flow of the system?
5. I may use my contractor to install it (still deciding) and he is suggesting he hide the RapidAir lines be the trim and corrugated ceiling material. My concern is that that might make it harder to add drops and find leaks. Any thoughts on that?

 

[sberry]

Drag it behind the walls. Use home runs so there are no hidden fittings.
The common air connectors will work well in this type of garage as would 1/2 line. For these short lines and home runs I actually like 1/2 as good or better, a bit easier to seal leaks and less fitting reduction at the final destination.
Find a couple hose reels you like. 4 bay's is tight on a garage this size. You could do this with 2 lines, T and go to blast and lift locks.
This is not gospel but 2 reels for 1200 sq ft and another for each additional 1000 and it will give complete overlap.
Depending on layout had a bud work full time in 1200 with 1.
Another thing, can use 2 of the tubing fittings on each run, any others can be common screwed pipe, T or *******, even short pipe.

 

[tom86951]

Drag it behind the walls. Use home runs so there are no hidden fittings.
The common air connectors will work well in this type of garage as would 1/2 line. For these short lines and home runs I actually like 1/2 as good or better, a bit easier to seal leaks and less fitting reduction at the final destination.
Find a couple hose reels you like. 4 bay's is tight on a garage this size. You could do this with 2 lines, T and go to blast and lift locks.
This is not gospel but 2 reels for 1200 sq ft and another for each additional 1000 and it will give complete overlap.
Depending on layout had a bud work full time in 1200 with 1.
Another thing, can use 2 of the tubing fittings on each run, any others can be common screwed pipe, T or *******, even short pipe.

I have a normal 2-car garage now with a reel in the middle that works fine for everything, so I see your point... Cool info on the 1/2" line too, thanks.

Sorry, what do you mean by "home runs so there are no hidden fittings"?

 

[sberry]

Dont use T in the walls, only continuous tubing, put each run back to the comp or simple manifold which could even be a T after the service ball valve off the tank.
My picture file is busy at the moment but I have couple places have T after fil/reg, one to hose reel, one to plasma. Another has 2, one way to whips at hoist, one hose reel, another to paint booth, several things from one set of filter/regulator.

 

[Zaxxn]

Hi MitchH et al - Just about to finish my 3/4" Maxline installation and ran about 3' short on my kit

Can the tubing be purchased by the foot, or does anyone have a 3' or so remnant leftover that they'd like to sell? I'd hate to buy a whole 25' roll never having a need for the rest...

Thanks for the help already in advance,
Zax

 

[drsung]

Hi MitchH et al - Just about to finish my 3/4" Maxline installation and ran about 3' short on my kit

Can the tubing be purchased by the foot, or does anyone have a 3' or so remnant leftover that they'd like to sell? I'd hate to buy a whole 25' roll never having a need for the rest...

Thanks for the help already in advance,
Zax

Zax - send me a PM. I have a 3/4 maxline still in the box and I anticipate have a bit left over so I shoulbe be able to spare 3ft.

 

[Zaxxn]

Zax - send me a PM. I have a 3/4 maxline still in the box and I anticipate have a bit left over so I shoulbe be able to spare 3ft.

Hi drsung! Thanks so much for the offer! Greatly appreciated! I actually had a couple people respond last night via PM as well and one of them is checking on a leftover piece for me today. But I really appreciate the offer. There is a reason why this is one of the greatest forums ever. Thanks a bunch to everyone!

This allows me to quickly continue to get the walls covered [emoji4]

--Zax

Sent from my moto x4 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Zaxxn]

Now I am really uncertain if my PM are working...I received to offers of help and replied, but haven't heard back anything and when I go into my sent folder, I don't see any sent items, but I know for a fact that I communicated at least with others through it before.

So if you had contacted me about a remnant you may have or so, and haven't heard back from me, there is something wrong with my PM. It seems I am receiving them just fine, so maybe you could reply once again with an email address or so?

Sorry for the inconvenience...and thanks again to everyone!
--Zax

 

[foolio]

Now I am really uncertain if my PM are working...I received to offers of help and replied, but haven't heard back anything and when I go into my sent folder, I don't see any sent items, but I know for a fact that I communicated at least with others through it before.

So if you had contacted me about a remnant you may have or so, and haven't heard back from me, there is something wrong with my PM. It seems I am receiving them just fine, so maybe you could reply once again with an email address or so?

Sorry for the inconvenience...and thanks again to everyone!
--Zax

Sent you a pm...I was not getting alerted to new message.

 

[Zaxxn]

Thanks, foolio! Much appreciated! It's so weird, my sent folder is completely empty, yet I had many message exchanges with people on here! Either way, I think we got it covered now!

Thanks again all!

--Zax

 

[MoonShiner]

Norther Tool has the 3/4" Master Kit on sale for $139. Good price?

 

[Niteman9]

Norther Tool has the 3/4" Master Kit on sale for $139. Good price?

Yes, but shipping is a little high.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[bad5x8]

Mitch,
I have the 1/2 tubing kit installed up in my home garage. I purchased a few extra fittings to put everything where I wanted it.
My question is...should the 90 degree push fit to 3/8 npt connector swivel or not? I have two in my setup. One does and one does not.
I have a feeling it leaks from the one that swivels.
Thanks.

 

[whitemamba]

I'm about to install 2 kits but think i will end up with a third due to extra fitting costs. There are not enough Tee's in master kit and no tee's to reduce so for a hose reel install you have to either go tee and a end with male before jumper hose or find the 3/4tee to 1/2 which isn't available at barely any retailers.

Is it better to run this where I need or loop whole building and do drops?

 

[MoonShiner]

Yes, but shipping is a little high.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I have a local store where I could pick it up.

 

[MoonShiner]

I see layouts of this stuff with runs that look level. Is it not necessary to slope the runs like is recommended with steel? I assume it's not going to rust but don't you still want to get the water out?

 

[sberry]

If the line isn't huge it will blow and water along, doent need much slope. With lines this big in small garages a loop doesn't help and doesn't help driving water along either, brings air from both directions with reduced velocity.

 

[larry4406]

Anyone who has buried the 3/4" Maxline? Experience?

I am nearing the point of trenching to the detached barn and want to run the airline there from the house attached garage.

I know its direct burial rated. About 230' buried is what I need.

I have been looking at the RapidAir M7580 - RapidAir Products Maxline Master Shop Air Kit which has 300' of piping. Summit at present seems to have the best price $354.99 and cheap shipping of $9.99 to my zipcode.

 

[FTG-05]

I have a local store where I could pick it up.

At that price, I sure as heck wouldn't even be on the internet!

 

[bad5x8]

Mitch,
I have the 1/2 tubing kit installed up in my home garage. I purchased a few extra fittings to put everything where I wanted it.
My question is...should the 90 degree push fit to 3/8 npt connector swivel or not? I have two in my setup. One does and one does not.
I have a feeling it leaks from the one that swivels.
Thanks.

 

[MoonShiner]

At that price, I sure as heck wouldn't even be on the internet!

I bought two.

 

[Low50s]

I bought two.

Nice! I have a northern tool about 50min away I thought about getting into the car and making a trip of it to pick one up

 

[MitchH]

Mitch,
I have the 1/2 tubing kit installed up in my home garage. I purchased a few extra fittings to put everything where I wanted it.
My question is...should the 90 degree push fit to 3/8 npt connector swivel or not? I have two in my setup. One does and one does not.
I have a feeling it leaks from the one that swivels.
Thanks.

Hi Bad5x8, that fitting should not swivel on you. Send me an email if you can [email protected]