Rapid Air System w/ 1/2″ Line: About $75 on Amazon…Ī Rapid Air System with 1/2″ line like the one I picture above is about $75 on Amazon. These kits are available on Amazon and many other places and are super easy to install: One of the most popular brands for Pex Plumbing is Rapid Air. ![]() I went with hard line for my system, but another approach that’s hugely popular is to use Pex Plumbing. Pex Plumbing & Rapid Air Systems vs Copper or Black Pipe ![]() In addition, I note that Harbor Freight has an inexpensive electric pipe threading machine available, so I took the black pipe approach. The other nice thing about using copper or black pipe is that I can just run down to the hardware store and buy a fitting or more pipe if I need to add something to my system. Our local Orchard supply will cut the pipe to length and thread the ends for free as well, which is nice. This is the strongest approach in terms of its ability to handle pressure. I have seen the majority of good home air systems done this way. You could use copper tubing, sweat soldered together. There are several approaches to choose from when it comes to plumbing. This unit will put out 17 CFM 175 psi, which is more than enough for my needs considering the old compressor pretty well did the trick without running out of oomph and had less than half the capacity.Įaton 5 hp 2-stage compressor under the house… Compressed Air System Design Shop Air Line Choices The offer a choice of colors, so I selected Ford Blue. I wound up buying an Eaton 5 hp 2-stage 60 gallon unit. For my budget, that made the decision easy. A lower end rotary screw compressor costs about $3500 whereas a nice 2-stage compressor is more like $1200. There’s just one unfortunate drawback, and that is price. They’re much quieter, last forever, and produce ridiculous amounts of air very efficiently. The latter, BTW, are truly the cat’s meow. I wanted a stationary/fixed compressor with more horsepower, and my choices basically boiled down to whether to purchase a 2 stage model or get crazy and buy a rotary screw compressor. That Sears Craftsman 2 hp 33 gallon vertical compressor had done an excellent job for me, but I wanted a better compressor. The manifold was built with the knowledge I would eventually want to link it up to a compressor located elsewhere… Air Compressor Installation The original air system and Craftsman compressor. This page chronicles the choices and the installation of my shop’s air system. In addition, I have a lot more air capacity when I want to run really air-hungry tools like my blast cabinet. ![]() The workshop is now very quiet except for the slight hiss of a little air leaking here and there. So, I ordered a new 5HP industrial stationary compressor from Eaton, installed it in some crawl space that is removed from the workshop, and plumbed in an air system using black pipe. It’s so loud, that sitting right next to it where my CNC controls are, I used to put on my hearing protection muffs until the tank had filled. For one thing, it’ll clean up dragging that silly reel hose all over, and for another, the current compressor is very loud. The hose reached pretty well throughout my shop, but I wanted to take the next step and get a bigger compressor and plumb in a more permanent and convenient air distribution system. I started with a Sears Craftsman compressor that sat below a 50 foot coiled hose reel like you’d find in an auto repair facility. I use it to run all manner of hand held air tools, a blast cabinet, and it’s very important for the CNC Machines in my shop to have clean dry compressed air. I love having air conveniently available in my shop. Shop Air Compressor System Design & Plumbing I Love Shop Air
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