Since I'll be routing the lines at the top of the wall and down the center of the garage ceiling, will the material sag between the stand offs?
I used Parker Push Lock hose {801-8} & connectors rated at 300psi - with an inside diameter of 0.50 inch. It is flexible, although somewhat stiff. I used Parker's Push Lock fittings as well. Theoretically - it will flow 73+ CFM at 90 psi. {a DA uses 15 CFM and air ratchet uses 5 CFM}.
I ran the line from the top of the 2x4" rafter on the back of the garage - to the bottom of the same rafter at the front of the garage. That give me a little more than a 3 1/2" drop in a 22' run. It was stiff enough that it didn't sag as long as I supported it every 12" to 14". It was quite easy to screw the pipe clips {as used on electrical conduit} in place. You can also just run it though cheap PVC pipe to hold it straight and hid it if you wish...
I installed a 3/4" galvanized pipe on the front wall of the garage to make the drop... where I installed a ball valve as a drain at the bottom. Put a "T" fitting in the middle to run a quick disconnect off of. I used pipe on the wall because that provided a very strong and rigid structure to hold the drain and quick disconnect firmly.
I ran the Parker tubing across the rafter - because it was very quick and very easy for me to do alone. It was also very easy to cut it to the exact length I wanted. Not something easy to do with iron pipe unless you have the tools to cut it and thread it}.
I paid full retail at our local Goodyear Rubber Store - they carry a large variety of hoses, tubing, belts as well as pipe fittings, couplers etc. The Parker tubing was about $3.25 per foot. I bought more than I needed to hook up my compressor at the rear for the garage and make a single run to the front. As I recall I bought 30' just to be sure I didn't have to make another trip... So call it $100.00 for the tubing.
I needed several fittings and connectors... I used Parker's Push Loc on the tubing - plus I needed some adaptors, connectors and 90 degree fitting. The Fittings/Connectors are all high quality brass - and they cost as much as the hose. By the time I left the Goodyear Store - I had spend just under $200.00. I really didn't care - I got everything I needed with one local stop on the day I wanted it. The guys at the Goodyear Store also GAVE me isolation pads for my compressor legs for free...
When I started the "install" - - - I found that I needed a couple pipes from Home Depot and a few fittings/adaptors/connectors - -- So I spent another $75.00 there.. {ball shut off valves, 10" length of pipe, two 24" pipes, T's and adaptors etc}.
Lastly:
I wanted to run a pipe though a block wall - so the quick disconnect would be on the outside of the garage - for use in the driveway. Doing that I found that I needed a drill bit at least 1 1/8" to 1 1/4" diameter - to drill a hole though the block - so that a 1" iron pipe could be put in place.. My local Harbor Freight Store saved me - a set of 4 12" long masonry bits - including 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" for $6.95 !!
I like the installation ease of the aluminum pipe systems, not crazy about the bulkiness of the connectors, T's, etc. I'd like a more clean look. I believe copper would look the best IMO.
I priced a couple of the aluminum systems and they were around $1000 - $1200 for the small area I'm planning on doing.
Dang, I just may lay the hose across the floor...
I doubt that most people will even notice the "look" at the rafters... I don't know what aluminum systems you looked at - but there are several that sound like they would do the job you want - for FAR less than a $1000.00. If you are talking about thirty to forty feet with a few drops etc.
Rapid Air Kit - on Sale now - $99.00 100' of tubing and two outlets, manifold. NOTE this is NOT the original RAPIDAIR system by Parker. It's a copy, but most likely fine for home use.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200367525_200367525?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Air%20Compressors-_-Air%20Compressor%20Accessories-_-490500&ci_sku=490500&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}
Summit Racing is another place to try..
FWIW,
Carl B.
