I have a 3 (wide) car garage & the compressor is on the far right side. My car (and soon to be project) is on the far left.
Was thinking about running an air line along the ceiling, to have a 'local' hookup on the opposite side of the garage to the compressor. Not having to run an air hose under the wife's car to get to my side would be nice, along with not needing to have a needlessly long hose.

Came across RapidAir & their $120 kit, which gives 100ft of flex tubing & the fittings.

Anyone have experience with running an air line across a garage, and RapidAir in specific?

I'm 99% sure my rather small compressor doesn't have the power/CFM to supply it, but that's something to look forward to upgrading in the future as well.

I have a 2 car garage, 24' wide. I ran a hose across my rafters to a reel hose I placed in the center of the garage. The reel hose came from Harbor Freight. I think that would be way cheaper and more useful.

I have multiple air line connections in each of my garages. It's really handy to not drag hoses. I chose to run 1/2 Type L copper. Overkill to be sure, but it's a one time expense.

I thought about a reel hose mounted mid-way in the garage, to be accessible to the majority of the space.
Type L copper was the advised hardline to run on the Grassroots page I was reading.

Odds are, with the inbound project, the majority of use will be in the furthest bay from the compressor, and relocating it to that side of the garage isn't overly practical.

Is there any issue with just running standard pneumatic hose from the compressor, to the other side of the garage?
From what I've read, a moisture trap is needed with long runs like this, so I guess that's something to keep in mind as well.

My compressor has a dual outlet connection, so I'd still be able to use a hose on the closer side & run the extension off the 2nd hookup.

We ran 3/4” pvc all over my shop. That size supports multiple tools at a time and in addition actually increases the storage capacity of a smaller tank. Typically run 80 lbs in it w no issues.

Why not move the compressor to the side where you'll be using it the most, that way you have access to the controls, on, off, restart, etc.

Run a line to the center and other side with quick connections for use when you need it there.

Put a shut off handle near the compressor so the other lines are not under pressure when not in use. Do not use PVC or any non air pressure rated lines, the boom and flying shrapnel would not be fun.

Even if it means having an electrician come in to drop a power line and additional plugs on the project end it would be worth it.

PVC is not sposed to be used for compressed air lines. Got in trouble for that at ATT when I pointed that out

Moving the compressor to the other side is not really viable. The toolbox & shelves are on the side where the compressor is now & my car is in the bay where the new project is going.

The side with the compressor does not have the width, with the shelving & toolbox, to put the car over there.

I did read, and the following emphasis, on the Grassroots page to emphatically not use PVC.

The more lines and connections you use are sources for leaks. Done properly you'll be fine, but any leak will cause your compressor to cycle more often.

Next topic - what kind of lift are you considering? How tall is the ceiling? With my 10'3" ceiling, I can get a 57 Bel Air (sitting on the suspension) on top and my 59 Impala underneath. Park Perfect 7000, four post lift, about 15 years old.

You could just run and dangle an air hose but you will lose flow capacity.

Since you are going to upgrade the compressor someday, do it right now.

3/4” copper with proper drops that include moisture traps, etc.

You’ll be glad you did when the whole this is done right and upgraded...

Another vote for 3/4" pvc. It will be fine for what you're doing. Better than anything flexible as far as maintaining pressure.

Here's an older shot of the garage (from when I still had the fun car & 2 motorcycles).
Compressor is on the far left, about halfway down the wall, about where the foot of the horizontal ladder is.
Project is going where the Mercedes is.

As far as a lift, maybe a Quickjack, not sure a true 2 or 4 post would fit. Especially with the door into the house being shared in the far right garage bay.

quote:

Originally posted by p113565:
We ran 3/4” pvc all over my shop. That size supports multiple tools at a time and in addition actually increases the storage capacity of a smaller tank. Typically run 80 lbs in it w no issues.

When I up graded my garage, it used schedule 40 pvc, it think it is rated to 120psi. Line cheaper than copper or galvanized. Fittings available at the big box store

Prime, glue and give it a chance to cure. Should be good

Ymmv
John

 
I have not used the RapidAir kits, but I did run all of my black pipe lines at the ceiling. The last one (to my reloading bench) crossed the entire 3 car garage, and was the only time I've been able to utilize a full length (21ft) piece of black pipe.

I ran an in-wall run of a very similar kit to the rapidair you are looking at. It works fine.
If I had it to do over again, I'd use 3/4" Pex. Might be a pain in the ass to find a few fittings to terminate, but it would be cheaper & I was running Pex in most of the same area anyway.

Grandpa's farm shop has had PVC for 25+ years, no issues other than a leaky fitting or 3.

I guess I am just old school and would use galvanized pipe through out for an air line with a dryer and filter.

I am shocked at the recommendations for PVC... It is absolutely NOT a good option.

There is a reason OSHA bans it's use for compressed air.

Black pipe. Use it. It will serve you best.

Our garage is 23 ft. square. Compressor's over in one corner, under a workbench. This is what I did:



That's mounted a few feet from the back of the garage, essentially centered across the width.

It's just plain old, high-quality air hose running back to the compressor. That's a contaminant and moisture remover mounted to the side.

Mounted next to it is an extension cord reel that works similarly.

Both were Christmas gifts from my wife