You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
HF Central pneumatic Garage Air Kit
- Thread starter StumpFJ40
- Start date
Bump to a review i found on automotive.com
I'd be interested to hear how it works. I am always a bit skeptical when HF puts out a knockoff of other successful products. Even if it does work ok, a lot of the other threads discussing plumbing in an air system, tend to put the flexible plastic lines/rubber lines at the bottom rung as far as desireability. I'd be concerned that it wouldn't allow the air to cool very well and therefore maintain moisture in the air. I'd be concerned about the longevity of the plastic....will it become brittle? I'd be most concerned that the HF fitting were born to leak. For something that you may have in your garage for decades, I'd go copper. The cost difference spread out over the years of service and the proven reliability would sway me.
The HF kit is an interesting option. Looks like a pretty new product. Hadn't seen that in the catalog before.
The HF kit is an interesting option. Looks like a pretty new product. Hadn't seen that in the catalog before.
JOHNMAN
Well-known member
I can tell you that I have used fittings and hose like that in industrial applications and it does work (at least the real Parker and the Nycoil fittings and hose actually work).
I would be skeptical using it.
The reason being that the cheap-o fittings are known to leak air and come apart. The real industrial fittings are metal and hold up much better.
The aluminum manifolds look nice.
I would pass on that at $89.00. Perhaps I would take a second look for say $20. Remember that **** comes from China and really is ****.
I'm sticking with metal piping for my air lines.
I would be skeptical using it.
The reason being that the cheap-o fittings are known to leak air and come apart. The real industrial fittings are metal and hold up much better.
The aluminum manifolds look nice.
I would pass on that at $89.00. Perhaps I would take a second look for say $20. Remember that **** comes from China and really is ****.
I'm sticking with metal piping for my air lines.
PAToyota
Well-known member
It looks like the Rapid-Air system. The question is whether it is Rapid-Air or a cheap knock-off?
Take a look at the pictures. They aren't the same, but pretty much the exact same shots done with different components (notice the HF ones have red handles and the RA ones have black handles).
I guess my concerns if it isn't just rebadged RA components would be whether the nylon tubing is the same quality (cheaper tubing may be more brittle and lead to the shrapnel issues similar to PVC), whether the fittings are cheap knockoffs (we all know how the HF quick-connect fittings leak), etc.
Not saying it isn't actually the same as RA or that it won't work. Just that those would be the things I'd check out before purchasing it.
Take a look at the pictures. They aren't the same, but pretty much the exact same shots done with different components (notice the HF ones have red handles and the RA ones have black handles).
I guess my concerns if it isn't just rebadged RA components would be whether the nylon tubing is the same quality (cheaper tubing may be more brittle and lead to the shrapnel issues similar to PVC), whether the fittings are cheap knockoffs (we all know how the HF quick-connect fittings leak), etc.
Not saying it isn't actually the same as RA or that it won't work. Just that those would be the things I'd check out before purchasing it.
wrigh003
Well-known member
I thought half the point of using copper or black pipe was to force heat transfer and make water condense out? Looks like a neat setup, and I could see how it would work, but seems to me that a relatively simple copper layout (if you can sweat pipe yourself) wouldn't be that much more.
I have heard that HF has trouble even getting the quick disconnects right, so I have an equally hard time believing this will hold air or hold up over time. Looks nice in pictures, though.
I have heard that HF has trouble even getting the quick disconnects right, so I have an equally hard time believing this will hold air or hold up over time. Looks nice in pictures, though.
I thought half the point of using copper or black pipe was to force heat transfer and make water condense out? Looks like a neat setup, and I could see how it would work, but seems to me that a relatively simple copper layout (if you can sweat pipe yourself) wouldn't be that much more.
I have heard that HF has trouble even getting the quick disconnects right, so I have an equally hard time believing this will hold air or hold up over time. Looks nice in pictures, though.
We all hear the HF bad mouth. Untill you have used an item I don't feel someone else's comment should be passed on. I have plenty of HF quick disconnects in my home "HOBBY" shop and also in our shop at work. None of this stuff is used hard all day. It has been working fine for me for years. I do have a friend who does use such tools all day, everyday, and he uses some HF stuff without complaint. If he knows a certain tool will be used a lot he may buy a better quality product. Although I have heard him , and others, comment that a particular HF item works just as well as one costing a good deal more.
As far as the Rapid Air stuff, I recently installed some at home. It seems fine to me. Now if you think that it is important for others to come in your shop and be in awe of your plumbing, don't use it. At least not if you have to do it on the wall. If you can hide it in the wall, it would be fine. It is very hard to get laid out straight. I laid mine out in the drive on a warm sunny day and it was no easier to get the roll to lay straight. That said, it did exactly what I wanted, air supplied to various areas of my shop quickly. I certainly wish I had known HF was going to do this since it has about half of what I paid. If I get a chance to stop by, and they have it at the retail stores, I will look at what they have. Looks the same to me with the exception of the tubing. Rapid Air tube is smooth, the picture of HF's looks ribbed. Joe
Farmallgray
Well-known member
It looks like it uses larger tubing than the RA system. Looks like it may be 1/2" rather than 3/8". That was one of my hangups with the RA system. I think 3/8" is too small for me. I may just give the HF kit a try.