Maxline vs. Fastpipe for compressed air

[sansbury]

My new building is almost finished and one of the things I wanted to do in here is run fixed plumbing for compressed air.

I'm planning on an Eastwood 3060 scroll compressor. I know these have some quirks but I want a quieter unit that has decent capacity. In terms of applications, the big one will be feeding air to the VMC (4+ scfm @ 100 whenever the spindle is on), probably a smaller plasma cutter, and all the usual miscellaneous shop uses. I don't do painting or sand blasting at this time.

Rapid Air has starter kits for the flexible 3/4" Maxline and rigid 3/4" Fastpipe kits with a 35% discount. Either one seems to have a capacity of 60+ SCFM so plenty enough for me.

The Maxline is about half the price of the Fastpipe, but with the discount either one fits the budget. I feel like the pipe theoretically might look a little cleaner, but not sure it matters that much in the end. I feel like either is going to look a little funky since I have to build a 1/4" per foot slope into it for drainage. Also wondering if the pipe is better for cooling being aluminum vs. plastic. If I do a full loop around the perimeter that will be just over 130'. Not sure if that's long enough that I wouldn't need a separate cooling loop.

FYI I'm open to other systems too, I'm just familiar with the RapidAir products.

 

[ericm]

A lot of people have had success straightening the maxline by pulling it through an appropriate size PVC pipe. I think both are aluminum core with plastic on the outside and inside.

I think that either a cooler between the compressor and tank, or one post tank, or both would be a good idea.

1/2" ID pipe would give you a pressure loss under 3 psi at 13 cfm and 150' of pipe. 3/4 is probably overkill. It is even more if you do a full loop. The pipe size calculator for Rapid Air recommends a larger size than calculators at say engineering toolbox.

 

[PT Doc]

Have you looked at the Prevost air system? It’s very nice and options are endless.

 

[sansbury]

Have you looked at the Prevost air system? It’s very nice and options are endless.

No, but it looks sufficiently close to the Rapidair that I wonder if they’re both made in the same plant… similar pricing too.

1/2" ID pipe would give you a pressure loss under 3 psi at 13 cfm and 150' of pipe. 3/4 is probably overkill.

Hmm, I suppose that could be true. The 3/4” is only like $150 more and considering what this whole shebang is costing me that’s kind of a rounding error. But money is still money and I guess there’s no reason to go bigger if there isn’t any good reason to.

 

[FTG-05]

I see less than $110 difference for the 3/4" over 1/2" kits: https://www.northerntool.com/categories/compressed-air-piping-kits?f=Brand:RapidAir&orderBy=3

3/4 all the things. 2nd the idea of a secondary tank as well.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

I am going with the Rapid Air rigid Fastpipe.
3/4" based on Rapid Air's calculator.
I'm not buying the kit - just the pieces I need.

I prefer the looks of the arrow straight lines and don't want to deal with trying to straighten the flexible stuff.

I am making a Redneck after cooler / moisture trap out of black steel pipe.

I will have a Motor Guard toilet paper filter at the output of the after cooler and Motor Guard filter / regulators at each of my three drops.

Compressor is a new Champion 2-Stage


My Redneck after cooler with Motor Guard TP filter.


The Motor Guard filter regulator I am putting at each outlet


My layout


The compressor will be in a toolroom. It has two windows to provide fresh air and cooling for the compressor and by putting it in an enclosed room, it should help with noise.

 

[Beerhippie]

I've installed a fair amount of 3/4" Rapidaire Maxline around here. If it's possible to get it straight, I didn't get the memo.

As for drain grade, why not make the extra investment in a real, refrigerated air dryer? Your tools and equipment will thank you. We have three remote storage/surge tanks scattered around the brewery and they're always bone-dry when I check them.

 

[pyro3256]

Wasn’t sure where to post, guess this is as good a place as any. Just finished new construction on a shop. Still getting moved in and organized. So don’t judge the mess.
But I recently finished the air system. We went with the rapid air “fast pipe” no kit just ordered parts. Pic worth words, so here’s a quick video. https://share.icloud.com/photos/095K5iwIiHAoEsVpkae075Fug