Rapidair air line system pros/cons

[volaredon]

I am getting ready to plumb my 30x36 garage for air lines.
I have seen threads on black iron vs galvanized iron vs copper vs drag the hose on the ground vs PVC but I have not really seen much talk on this Rapidair stuff. I can get the 1/2" kit w/100 ft of hose for $77 on Amazon right now. farm and Fleet has the 3/4" version on the shelf for about twice that but I do not think that I really need 3/4" since the outlet port on my compressor is only 1/2 NPT.
It will be very rare that I will be using more than 1 air fitting at a time though my compressor is more than capable of handling it. (2 stage 17.5 cfm@175 PSI) I have a sand blast cabinet, pretty good size floor model right now. Future plans are to add a tire machine (waiting for a "you ****" deal on one)

the compressor is at the back, blast cabinet at the front of garage along same 36' wall. I want 3 drops on that side, maybe 4 including the one for the blast cabinet.
One dedicated for that blaster, one right at comp., and one or 2 in between.
Tire machine (if it happens) will be on the opposite wall, so I would like to eventually run a drop to that side/ maybe 2. also have a hose reel collecting dust in the shed, that will go either across the shop near where I want the tire machine, or may hang that right in the middle from the ceiling, not sure yet. Once I get caught up on in-progress projects, the blast cabinet may switch sides, which would put it diagonally opposite where the compressor is. can't put it in the remaining corner or it will interfere with my 2 post lift over there. If I plumb all the drops that I have in mind right now, (about 6, throughout the building) I'm thinking that I'll use 150 ft or so, of either that blue stuff, or copper.

I am leaning heavily toward copper, I can sweat copper "in my sleep". and it looks good too. I also like the heat/moisture dissipation qualities of copper.
Copper would "seem" to be more durable in a garage setting. Right?

this plastic tubing with aluminum liner will be quick n easy but I don't want it to look like I have now, hoses draped across the garage...I don't want something that looks "temporary"... and I cannot see plastic being very good for cooling the air, in fact it would seem to sweat more and draw more condensation--or would it?

 

[encantofred]

if you are comparing to copper, you should compare it with the rapidair Fastpipe system. that is more apples to apples.

i was going to do copper but ended up doing 1" fastpipe. i have 165 ft horizontal run at 14 ft high with 6 drops to 4' above the ground. it is very cool stuff and easy to work with. and reusable and reconfigurable.

tom

 

[CNGsaves]

+1 to go with LARGER size of RapidAir line in your situation with sand blasting and adding a tire machine. You WILL want the better air flow of larger line.

1/2" is too small RapidAir for you. Go with the larger 3/4" complete kit, or you could mix 3/4" for mainline and 1/2" just for the drops.

 

[volaredon]

Huh... I was thinking that going larger than the outlet bung off the compressor tank would be of no additional value.

 

[volaredon]

I do not see anywhere local to buy the "fastpipe" version. So what is the difference? It still looks like aluminum impregnated plastic line... the difference between the Rapidair and the Fastpipe versions, appears to be similar to the difference between rigid copper vs a roll of copper.
Also some talk about doing a loop. All the way around the perimeter of the garage? I don't see the difference that this would make, other than being easier (later) to add another drop if need be.

not knowing about their "fastpipe", I was looking at copper vs Rapidair.... pros and cons among these 2 setups.

 

[canuckian]

fastpipe is rigid lengths of aluminium pipe. I bought mine at Northern Tool and I think Home Depot carries it in the US as well. The "loop" is to reduce pressure drop to the drops furthest from the air source.

 

[fnieto]

Had the 1" fast pipe loop system for about two years with no regret. Holding air with no leaks and is a good looking system. Installed it myself in a 40'X80' metal building requiring two kits. The center crown area was bent 15º using a bender with no harm to finish.