Which compressed air piping???

[WPeters]

Needing to install piping for compressed air in the new shop. What do you all recommend?  I found this online: http://www.rapidairproducts.com/fastpipe.asp  Anybody using that?

 

[thedude306]

I've never used rapid air but I have installed legris transair.  It's a great system distributed by Parker I think??

 

[Maddie]

More than a year ago, I installed Rapidair gear in my shop trailer. Easy-peasy to install, no operational problems whatsoever. When I received the Rapidair kit I inventoried the items and found that it was missing one connection part but had a duplicate of another.  I contacted Rapidair customer service and they sent me a replacement ASAP, no charge, and told me to keep the duplicate.  They sent a complete new package of the kit connections.  If the occasion ever presents itself, I'll install Rapidair equipment, again, without hesitation.

 

[them700project]

Why not just put sch40 steel in its probably a whole lot cheaper and its plenty sturdy. I have also used copper, SS, and a few others.

As a plumber I would recommend steel if you forget a fitting or want to add on later on its easy to go to a local store. You can probably borrow a hand stock from someone for threading

 

[tjbnwi]

I've used RapidAir, easy to install, holds up well.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festo of course!  [big grin]

 

[Jamie_MA]

I agree with Alex  [cool]

http://www.festo.com/cat/en-us_us/products__36446

Full disclosure, I work for Festo  [tongue]

 

[WPeters]

Hmmm..thanks for the feedback....  I just talked to someone who installed Prevost.  He had good to say about them.  Anybody have experience with them?

 

[them700project]

Hmmm..thanks for the feedback....  I just talked to someone who installed Prevost.  He had good to say about them.  Anybody have experience with them?

in NJ?

 

[them700project]

Nevermind didnt realize they were so large there's one right near my house

 

[UncleJoe]

I set my shop up 5 years ago with the rapid air system and have had zero issues.

The mail line was shipped in a coil and it seems to have some "memory" I was advised on another forum to stretch it out in the sun on a warm day for a while to let it return to a straight pipe. I was impatient and wanted to install it right away. I had issues getting the first piece to lay flat against the ceiling as it wanted to coil up. I let the rest of the tubing lay in the sun a few hours and then it worked great.  I used a spray bottle with a little soapy water to test all the connections under pressure. A few failed but that was operator error, usually a bad cut or not seated far enough in. The fix was always easy.

Mine have been in use in a hobby garage for 5 years and I have no leaks and compressed air at many stations in my shop. It is really nice to have it where I need it when I need it and not having to drag an air hose out.

 

[them700project]

To combat the memory the sun defininately helps, but a better solution is to use more hangers. With certain plastics such as PEX the sun will degrade the plastic and shorten the lifespan drastically the lifespan is ridiculously long though so even if it takes 50% of the life out of it, it should still be good for 25+ years as long as its installed out of the sun.