Opinions on RapidAir Compressed Air Kit

[Bill Luce]

I am building a new studio and am in the process of trying to decide what to do about compressed air.

My old studio is around 1400 sf and the new one is around 2200 sf (for the main portion, a couple outbuilding as well.)

My old system had copper compressed air line (3/4 and 1/2 inch for drops) all in wall except at the compressor.

I am torn between a maxline solution and copper again. At first blush the maxline seemed the way to go but now I am not sure the decision is a slam dunk.

From what I've read seems like

maxline:

pros: cheaper by the foot.
connection simpler to make
their outlet fixtures seem handy



cons: harder to build in slope for long runs
wavey for in wall and other exposed runs
very expensive fittings if you need a lot of them

copper:
pros: easy in wall
easy to build traps, drop up and down loops for water
fittings relativeloy in expensive
very durable and reliable once tested
easy to add valves, other adapters etc
cons:
much more expensive per foot
a bit more trouble to install long runs

Since I like the idea of the each drop having a jog up and then down and have lots of drops I have started to wonder how much cheaper the maxline (or rapid air) approach would be overall since their fittings are like $14 a pop or more.

And I want to have everything in the wall before I sheetrock so the rigid copper seems to make that easier.

Any opinions here on over all costs with bunches of drops needed?
And what approach do folks that mix the 3/4 maxline and 1/2 inch maxline for their drops? I haven't so far found a 3/4 to 1/2 inch direct adapter.
What's the best way to interface the maxline and copper lines?

I know the subject has been beat, but I am having trouble deciding and I have an open ditch between buidlings right now that I am considering laying conduit it for possible future compressed air line as I would like to consider not having a compressor in the new second building....So I think I should decide what I am doing for compressed air before I close that ditch.

In addtion, I might run compressed air later to another work area about 50 ft from the other end of the studio from the main garage.

Any more opinions, advice is wellcome. Thanks, Bill