so we will be moving the shop soon, and i want to get the air system hooked up pretty soon.

anyone on here have experience with the rapidair kits like northern sells? we'll probably be looking for 3/4"

any other suggestions. right now we're using black pipe, but it has developed leaks over the past couple years, so i want something that may hold up a bit more.

[Edited on March 15, 2013 at 2:48 PM. Reason : quincy 15hp rotary screw, if that makes any difference]

3/15/2013 2:47:46 PM

Ive been thinking about getting one of those kits...

3/15/2013 2:59:17 PM

they have great reviews on northern.

i may just go ahead and pull the trigger. now i just have to plan out the system and figure out how much line i need. 3 outlets seems like too little, but we have a couple lift-mounted hose reels, so it should suffice for now.

the 1" is enticing, but so much more expensive.

3/15/2013 3:34:02 PM

On a side note, we have a MUCH bigger shop in Apex. Stay tuned for grand opening info!

3/15/2013 3:46:26 PM

I worked in a shop with black pipe for 10 years and never had a leak. My current shop was done with 5/8 copper pipe 8 years ago and we have no leaks with that either.

3/15/2013 7:54:07 PM

granddad's shop has a big compressor in the corner, and air lines around the interior perimeter. it's pretty handy.

3/16/2013 12:45:33 AM

I have rapid air in my home shop. I would stay away from the 1/2 line. The shop is 40x80 with the compressor about 20ft from the right side. At hose real on the opposite side of the shop there is a significant pressure drop. Again this is with the standard 1/2 line kit. I believe the 3/4 inch is a rigid line which would be much better than the roll of tubing I used. Also with the 1/2 line, its very hard to install because it does not want to straighten out. I unrolled it in the shop and left it for a week and it still wanted to curl back up when installing.

Other than that the outlets they give you are very nice and make for a clean install. If I were to do it again I would run copper in my walls and use the rapid air outlets on the outside of the wall.

3/16/2013 9:14:00 AM

I think the 3/4 comes coiled, and the 1" is straight pieces (8' or 19' depending on the kit, i guess).

I used pipe dope when putting the black pipe together. I may just reuse it with teflon tape.

3/16/2013 12:08:11 PM

3/4" sch 40 stainless with socket weld fittings

oh wait, i'm not at work

3/16/2013 10:19:05 PM