Shop Air

[projectnut]

Today I finally finished installing a "permanent" air system in the shop. For several years I had a Craftsman 3 hp single stage compressor on the garage. About 8 years ago I replaced it with a Kellogg 311 2 stage compressor to get enough pressure to air up the tires on the motorhome. At that time I moved the Craftsman to the basement shop and stuck it in a corner.

It sat there for 8 long years with minimal use because I had to drag an air hose across the shop to use it. A couple weeks ago I decided it was time for a more convenient system so I purchased a couple "Rapid Air" basic installation kits like this:

RapidAir 1/2in. Master Kit, Model# 90500 | Northern Tool

The RapidAir 1/2in. Master Kit is a compressed air piping system designed for automotive and woodworking shops, trailers or home garages. Uses flex...

www.northerntool.com

They happened to be on sale at our local farm store for a little over $60.00 each. Originally I was going to buy a single kit and add 3 more ports along with the necessary fittings. With the sale price it was more cost effective to buy 2 complete kits and a single add on port.

I started the project the day I got the parts, but like everything else life got in the way. I would work on it a couple hours every few days as yard work and "to do list" items allowed. Today I ran the last 2 lines and fired up the compressor. I was overjoyed that there were only 2 leaks that needed attention. One was an old defective coupling, and the other was a port on the manifold I forgot to wrap with Teflon tape. For the first time in nearly 35 years I have a convenient air system in the work shop. No more dragging air hoses around and having to reposition the compressor because I was a couple feet short of the place I needed the air.

Not that I'm cheap or is that frugal. More proof that an old dog can learn new tricks. It just takes time.

 

[NCjeeper]

I will be running the rapid air system in my new shop. I did galvanized pipe in my last shop. Not cheap and labor intensive.

 

[WarrenP]

A few months ago I installed the 3/4 inch rapid air system in my garage with 3 outlets, 1 with the extra filters and water separaters etc for painting and sand blasting , one with an oiler and filter for using tools and the last with a regular filter just to blow things off, fill tires, etc. Installing retractable air hoses on all 3 lines made it very convenient. Has worked very well so far. Am happy with it also. Was more work than they act like it would be but im sure less than copper or steel pipes.

 

[deakin]

having always used 1" black pipe - what is the pressure capability of that plastic pipe?

 

[Reddinr]

Ghaad I've got to do that. I'm still dragging the same old rubber air hose around the corners of the shop. Well done!

 

[WarrenP]

The 3/4 inch is rated at 200 psi @70 deg

 

[projectnut]

having always used 1" black pipe - what is the pressure capability of that plastic pipe?

The 1/2" tube version is rated for 150 psi. However the paperwork in the box says the tube itself has a working pressure up to 300 psi and a burst strength of 900 psi. This leads me to believe the quick (push style) couplings are the weal link that limits system pressure to 150 psi.

 

[kb58]

I put one of those auto-retract air hose reels up near the garage ceiling. It's up out of the way yet has enough length to reach anywhere I need.

 

[projectnut]

I have the same thing in the garage. With the high ceiling and only mowers and cars in the space it works fine. The same system in the shop was a PITA. I didn't like draping the hose over machines, or having to use a 100 ft. hose to thread around everything. The Rapid Air makes a clean installation with ports throughout the shop. Each port has a 25' coiled air hose that can either be disconnected, or hung on a hook next to the port. No more dragging hoses around knocking over everything that isn't bolted down.

 

[Gaffer]

I installed the 3/4" RapidAir throughout my garage. It's a great system. The pipe is lined with aluminum if I remember correctly. It's a little expensive but their kits go on sale - I bought mine from Northern Tool. I was originally going to solder a bunch of copper pipe, but the convenience of RapidAir won me over.