Old Compressed Air Piping Methods

Black Steel Pipe

  • - requires special threading equipment/skill in fabrication for joining
  • - prone to rust and loose scale deposits over time
  • - rough inner surface restricts air flow
  • - modifying the system is more difficult
  • - inexpensive material costs
  • - longer time needed for installation

Copper Pipe

  • - skill in soldering needed to assemble joints
  • - smooth inner surface has good air flow
  • - not all types are suitable for pressure
  • - expensive material costs due to the high price of copper raw material

PVC Pipe

Today's Improved Compressed Air Piping Methods

FastPipe Pipe

  • - engineered in the USA
  • - imported from China
  • - lightweight aluminum can be installed by one person
      without extensive training
  • - smooth inner surface produces good air flow and
      energy savings
  • - corrosion free pipe and fittings
  • - easy to modify and make system changes
  • - short installation time compared to other methods
  • - 1" and 1½" sizes, 9' or 20' length
  • - 190 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - rectangular or straight pipe runs with minimal
      obstruction
  • - areas without lots of bends requiring elbow fittings
  • - multiple air users
  • - areas where pipe needs to look “perfectly” straight
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking

AirNet Pipe

  • - engineered in Belgium
  • - imported from Belgium and Italy
  • - lightweight aluminum can be installed by one person
      without extensive training
  • - smooth inner surface produces good air flow and
      energy savings
  • - corrosion free pipe and fittings
  • - easy to modify and make system changes
  • - short installation time compared to other methods
  • - ¾", 1", 1½", 2", 2½", 3", 4" sizes, 9' or 20' length
  • - 188 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - rectangular or straight pipe runs with minimal
      obstruction
  • - areas without lots of bends requiring elbow fittings
  • - multiple air users
  • - areas where pipe needs to look “perfectly” straight
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - any size building

RapidAir Tubing

  • - nylon tubing is designed for compressed air
  • - no special tools/skills needed for installation
  • - can be run thru the wall for clean look
  • - short installation time & inexpensive materials
  • - corrosion free tubing and fittings
  • - aluminum outlet blocks give a clean professional look
  • - great for garage sizes under 1200 sq. ft
  • - tubing size 3/8" ID x ½" OD
  • - 150 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - home garage workshops less than 1200 sq ft (30 ft x
      40 ft)
  • - single tubing lengths under 50 ft from compressor
  • - one air user
  • - workbenches, trailers, small woodworking shops

MaxLine Tubing

  • - Maxline has all the great benefits of the Duratec
      product, but with reduced cost
  • - Maxline does not hold expensive agency ratings for
      food, beverage and welding gases and is
      manufactured only for compressed air, saving you
      money
  • - a blend of HDPE and aluminum multilayer tubing
  • - direct burial, on wall and in wall tubing applications
  • - maintains shape after bending by hand
  • - meets OSHA requirements
  • - tubing size ½", ¾", 1" ID
  • - 175 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - building layouts with many obstructions, corners etc
  • - multiple air users
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - underground burial
  • - ½" size for tubing lengths under 75 ft from compressor
  • - ½" size for buildings less than 2000 sq ft (40 ft x 50 ft)
  • - ½" size for in wall applications
  • - ¾" size used for tubing lengths under 150 ft from
      compressor
  • - ¾" size used for building less than 4000 sq ft (50 ft x
      80 ft)
  • - 1" size for large air volume needs

Duratec Tubing

  • - a blend of HDPE and aluminum multilayer tubing
  • - corrosion free
  • - direct bury underground or in concrete
  • - maintains shape after bending by hand
  • - eliminates sagging tubing lines
  • - other uses include welding gas and beverage piping
  • - meets NSF, FDA, and OSHA requirements
  • - tubing sizes ½", ¾", and 1" ID
  • - 200 psi working pressure
  • RECOMMENDED FOR:
  • - building layouts with many obstructions, corners etc
  • - multiple air users
  • - industrial plants, auto body and repair shops, farm,
      woodworking
  • - underground burial
  • - ½" size for tubing lengths under 75 ft from compressor
  • - ½" size for buildings less than 2000 sq ft (40 ft x 50 ft)
  • - ½" size for in wall applications
  • - ¾" size used for tubing lengths under 150 ft from
      compressor
  • - ¾" size used for building less than 4000 sq ft (50 ft x
      80 ft)
  • - 1" size for large air volume needs

1" Fastpipe or 1" Maxline?

The 1" Maxline may seem a good flexible choice when the 1" size is needed. However, it works best for underground burial, or installations where the piping can be hidden behind perlins in a steel building, or laying on trusses or above false ceilings, with minimal joints.

The 1" Maxline tubing does unroll harder than the smaller sizes and is more difficult to get straight for surface mounted systems. The compression fittings require more force to tighten. For on wall installations, we recommend the Fastpipe, as it is an already straight pipe, and as an easy install fitting system.

For long continuous runs with minimal fitings, Maxline is a good choice with 100 and 300 ft rolls available. If meticulous, straight, professional appearance is desired, always choose the Fastpipe.

1" Maxline is a great choice for direct burial, in wall or hidden installations. Remember for in wall installations, always combine with ½" for tubing drops. Using ¾" or 1" behind wall outlets is very difficult unless the wall cavity is greater than 10 inches thick.

1" MaxLine

  • -burial
  • -hidden tubing
  • -long tubing runs

1" FastPipe

  • -surface mounted
  • -professional appearance
  • -easy assembly