MaxLine 3/4" Installation - Air Compressor Piping Kits M7500, M7580

[@mikeceli]

Great new! A Rapid Air representative called me today and confirmed that the Aluminum blocks, steel fittings and shut off valves have the PROPER "NPT National Pipe Thread" machining! Also, my Rapid Air Maxline kit arrived yesterday and it appears to be much better than the Gasory "Knock Off" I bought previously. I am looking forward to finally plumbing my Hobby Auto Shop!

[@douglasthompson2740]

Amusing how manufacturers seem to overlook all the difficulties built into their systems and show the installation as 1 2 3. In this case the coil line at 3/4" inch is extremely extremely difficult to straighten (to which they want to sell you a one time use $158 tool!!) and the fittings are a challenge to assemble to the pipe even with lubricant (I used conduit lube) requiring more force than hand gripping the pipe will provide to push the pipe into the fitting. I do observe that they have come out with straight pipe sections later to address the piping problem. These do not distort the pipe id like the coil line does (and yes I used the 'tool' to debur and dimension the id). The fittings are extraordinarily expensive as well. The kits do not include enough drops for 100' of run in a normal shop so you have to buy quite a few more fittings more than doubling the price of the 'Kit'. This would seem a ripe opportunity for competitors. The tubing looks like the same Pex makes for heated floor runs with the aluminum lining. It is not a standard size though so I am assuming it is metric. Buying the standard size Pex heat pipe and using generic shark bite fittings will bring the cost down considerably.

[@mikeceli]

That and they have not answered my question..."Is the aluminum block , fittings and shut off valves PIPE thread or STRAIGHT thread?" PIPE thread is tapered to snug up tight as it is screwed together. It SEALS air and liquid with just a little Teflon tape and/or pipe dope. STRAIGHT thread(like a nut and bolt) has NO means to seal, like the Amazon, China kit (which appears identical to RapidAir) i bought and returned. Because there was no way the STRAIGHT thread fittings would seal, (for a long time) even with the instructed "Seven wraps of Teflon tape".

[@mikeceli]

What about it "RapidAir"? Are the aluminum blocks , fittings and shut off valves PIPE Thread or Straight Tread?

[@williamsantiago7303]

Looks like a great product but for the money I shouldn't have to be bending pipe straight and how long will that PLASTIC pipe hold up for. I like the hard aluminum pipe better, just my opinion. Maybe if the price was a little lower I would jump on it.

[@joelwolfe]

What about running in walls under sheet rock?

[@Carlitosway211]

What about the open holes on the back of the outlets? Do you just get a plug from the hardware store or something?

[@scrapin]

It comes with a threaded plug for the back

[@Carlitosway211]

***** I wish that was true. I bought mine, didn't have any plugs so I went back to Northern, they opened another box, no plugs.

[@scrapin]

Mine came with the plugs. i64.photobucket.com/albums/h180/scrapin_frame/36546931-2FE7-4A61-8FDD-BB298C7E84C6_zpsl4bw0yud.jpg

[@Carlitosway211]

Hmmm, weird. Looks like I'll be making a trip to the hardware store then. It's closer than Northern..

[@scrapin]

Its a bummer that they weren't included. I would call rapid air directly. Seeing as you opened two different boxes and both were short those plugs, I'd be expecting them to ship some to you.

[@mikeceli]

I bought a similar "Kit" on Amazon, the shut off valves and aluminum blocks appear to be the same, as pictured in this video. Said blocks and valves have STRAIGHT treads, not PIPE thread as the NORMAL, standard practice for threaded together pipe and fittings. PIPE thread is tapered, so it snugs up and seals(with a LITTLE pipe sealant (Dope) or Teflon tape. STRAIGHT thread do NOT have this sealing capability. I ask the Seller "Rapid Air Products", "Are all fittings, valves and aluminum Blocks machined to proper NPT (National Pipe Thread)"? IF I buy a it and find STRAIGHT threaded fittings, etc, or I am not satisfied, will I get a full refund, including shipping both ways? THANK YOU, Michael

[@frostgfx]

What size Adjustable Wrench did you use? 12", 15"?

[@robertbutler8004]

What a load of garbage in marking the fittings with a sharpie when all one has to do is tighten !!