Tools & Fabrication Hand | Power | Hydraulic | Pneumatic | Welding | Painting

RapidAir garage system

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-13-2014, 05:16 PM
  #1  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
(SS)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default RapidAir garage system

Anyone use this?Any issues?

http://www.rapidairproducts.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=37
Old 07-14-2014, 12:20 AM
  #2  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

It's a cool idea and very affordable......however, the size lines and fittings seems too small for me.
Old 07-14-2014, 08:22 AM
  #3  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (28)
 
jmm98LS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: KS
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

I've had it in my garage for a couple years. Far cheaper and easier to install than copper or iron pipe. The tubing doesn't like to uncoil very well so it's an exercise in patience to get it to lay straight on a wall/ceiling. I had to put one of their hose mounts every 20" or so to keep it from wandering.
Old 07-14-2014, 08:59 AM
  #4  
Launching!
 
SKINNY69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Newville, PA
Posts: 205
Received 10 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

I'm about to pull the trigger and buy the 3/8 kit they sell. My garage is only 23x23 so I should be good. Anything I should be aware of before purchasing? I think I'm gonna plumb all the lines inside the walls for a clean finish.
Old 07-15-2014, 12:34 AM
  #5  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Would it be that much more money to do it in pvc pipe?
Old 07-15-2014, 09:33 AM
  #6  
Launching!
 
SKINNY69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Newville, PA
Posts: 205
Received 10 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
Would it be that much more money to do it in pvc pipe?
It would probably be cheaper with schedule 80 pvc but that doesn't really leave a professional finish that I'm after. I've also blown apart pvc systems before. Glue breaks down over time and you'd definitely want a soft line running from the compressor to your hard lines.
Old 07-15-2014, 07:49 PM
  #7  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
(SS)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
Would it be that much more money to do it in pvc pipe?
I'm ready PVC will explode and could injure someone,So that's not a good idea.
Old 07-16-2014, 12:09 AM
  #8  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

The pressure rating on the pvc is well above what pressure should be in the lines. I've seen many shops plumbed this way.
Old 07-17-2014, 08:29 PM
  #9  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
(SS)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
The pressure rating on the pvc is well above what pressure should be in the lines. I've seen many shops plumbed this way.
Pex piping is another option i'm looking into.
Old 07-18-2014, 04:33 PM
  #10  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
 
subarubill96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: hamden, ct
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
The pressure rating on the pvc is well above what pressure should be in the lines. I've seen many shops plumbed this way.
Just because people do it doesn't make it right. If you ever seen what happens when PVC comes apart due to excessive pressure you'd understand why its a bad idea.It shatters and has many little sharp objects coming out at speed.Think like a pipe bomb. Also that pressure rating is at 73-75 degrees, check the pipe out, its printed right on it. Pressure rating drops rapidly as temps go up. Copper, black/galv iron pipe or the correct rated poly tubing is the way to go.
Old 07-19-2014, 12:02 AM
  #11  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Understood.
Old 07-19-2014, 03:19 PM
  #12  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
 
subarubill96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: hamden, ct
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Another option is aluminum tubing with fittings made for compressed air lines.They are similar to a shark bite fitting, price is between copper and iron pipe.
I have to do about 40 feet of tubing when i am setting my shop up in the coming weeks and i'm going copper pipe with brazed connections, not the cheapest but i know it'll look **** and last forever.
Old 07-19-2014, 07:22 PM
  #13  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
(SS)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I think i'm just going to go with pex pipe and shark bite quick connect fittings.I should be able to get everything i need from my local homedepot.
Old 07-20-2014, 12:28 AM
  #14  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

Whats a good water separator? I'm having a rust issue at the quick disconnects due to the humidity in Houston.
Old 07-20-2014, 01:05 PM
  #15  
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
SilverSS07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Ocala Florida
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by Blown06
Whats a good water separator? I'm having a rust issue at the quick disconnects due to the humidity in Houston.
Speedaire, Norgren, Ingersoll, and Wilkerson are good
Old 08-05-2014, 06:57 AM
  #16  
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
(SS)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

DeVilbiss QC3 Filter and Dryer 130525

I just got it in yesterday.The rest of my stuff should be in this week.
Old 08-27-2014, 01:58 PM
  #17  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Sentronix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Do it once. Do it right. Copper
Old 09-16-2014, 12:00 PM
  #18  
Staging Lane
 
smurfkiller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: houston
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

the rapidair stuff is really nice, just be sure to put mount every 16''-24'' it dosnt like to uncoil and lay straight. good thing is if you move, it can be reused fairly easily
Old 10-15-2014, 07:34 PM
  #19  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
 
subarubill96's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: hamden, ct
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Just saw this thread again and since I just started doing my air lines I thought I'd share. I have about 100 bucks wrapped into the fittings, pipe and hangers. Its all 3/4" Type L copper pipe, I got 40 feet of it. I built 4 manifolds with three 1/4" male adapters to add my quick disconnects. I brazed the manifolds up and am working on getting the pipe up. I have to say while not as fast as the rapid air system, it looks a million times better and cost was very reasonable. JMHO.
on the water issue, because i'm cheap and don't want to spend for a refrigerated air drier, I am going to add a heat exchanger between my compressor and tank and piping in drip legs to keep it dry. I also have two water separators, one simply collects water for draining the other is a desiccant based one. Both are speedaire but anyone should be good.It should be plenty dry now.
Old 10-16-2014, 12:11 AM
  #20  
8 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (32)
 
Blown06's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,181
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts

Default

pics please



Quick Reply: RapidAir garage system



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:50 AM.