I am familiar with air line piping kits, with which you can branch an air compressor out to different fixed locations of a garage or workshop, but I only now learned that Husky offers one such kit.
This Husky “air compressor extension kit” (HAS-100KIT) comes with 100 feet of 200 PSI nylon tubing, a manifold block, air outlet blocks, and a number of fittings and valves.
Advertisement
Husky says that the tubing can be mounted behind walls, or on surfaces, and includes 30 Airlock mounting clips.
- 100 ft of 1/2″ OD 3/8″ ID nylon tubing
- Manifold block
- (2) outlet blocks
- Quick-release fittings, couplers, drain valves
The fittings are press-fit, and require no soldering or threading. A small tubing cutter is provided to ensure square cuts.
Husky says that the components are safe for use with compressor oils.
Price: $75
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(Rapidair kit via Amazon)
From what I can tell, this Husky kit looks comparable to the basic Rapidair kit, but with slightly different specs, such as a higher working pressure rating, and perhaps different fittings styles.
Advertisement
Why buy something like this?
If you use a portable air compressor, you can often move your compressor around to where you need it. Or you could potentially snake a longer hose around to where you need it.
But what if you want an air drop in the middle of the garage, by means of a ceiling-mounted hose reel? or you wanted an air outlet close to the door for easier connecting to an air chuck for maintaining tire pressure?
You can NOT use PVC for pressurized air, and metal piping can be large or cumbersome to work with. With tubing like what’s included in Husky, Rapidair, Maxline, and other such kits, you trim the tubing to length and connect it with easy-to-use fittings.
Advice on the internet says that tubing can be a little stiff to work with, and so it’s best left in the sun for a little bit to soften, but other than that, everyone seems to be agree this systems like these are a breeze to install and convenient for bringing compressed air to different locations of a work shop. There are also DIY and off-the-shelf straighteners that can make the larger diameter Maxline tubing easier to work with.
Expandability might be a challenge. Are other brands’ fittings compatible with this Husky kit? Will there be any issue mixing in components from other brands?
Keeping in mind that Husky is a private label brand, I doubt that the components of the kit are proprietary to just the Husky kit, and so there’s the potential to expand upon the set if you do your research and due diligence.
For someone that knows they will need more than just a single Husky kit, but aren’t sure what their exact current or future needs will be, the Rapidair system might be a better buy. Or Maxline, which is Rapidair’s larger and higher volume system.
If you didn’t know something like this existed, you do now. And if you’re been yo-yoing about whether to go with such a system, then maybe this kit will knock you off the fence.*
*As I wrap up writing this post, I now see that today is the last day of “Special Buy” pricing. The kit was on sale for $53, or $22 lower than the regular price. The Rapidair kit is also regularly priced at $75.
I should also point out that buying and installing something like this requires some background research. For smaller compressors and shorter runs, the Husky set should work well. But for larger air volumes, longer runs, multiple branches, or other considerations outside what the average home user might want or need for their garage or hobby workshop, you’ll need to do some due diligence in properly planning things out.
In other words, if you use a 3/8″ inner diameter air hose, or even 1/4″, and only plan on using the included manifold and two outlets, this system will likely be okay. But if you have greater needs, or need for 1/2″ ID or larger tubing, you’ll need to do some homework and budget for a larger system that can handle higher airflow.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(Rapidair kit via Amazon)
Compare(Maxline via Amazon)
Mark Lee Shelton
Lowe’s used to have a similar kit (price) with a better assortment of fittings, under their kobalt brand. I have been using it for about 2 years with great results. I had one “T” go bad but think I exceeded the angles it can operate at.
fred
When I piped up my stationary compressor back in the 1970’s , I looked at the options. Not as many plastic or hose options back then – so I did the runs like I would have piped natural gas – with black iron. My longest run is about 100 feet from the garage to the compressor. Using black iron – I decided that a good air dryer was needed and that it also needed to be well maintained. Its worked for me – no rust clogs or flakes that I can observe – but if I were building today from scratch I might look at some flexible tubing or aluminum pipe options.
We had black iron in one shop and aluminum in another – and the aluminum system seemed superior – with long-radius bends – welded connections and clean looks. Not having installed them (we bought both shops), I don’t know the costs – but clearly the black iron system must have been much cheaper.
This Husky system looks OK for what it is but may be a bit lacking in elbows – although long-radius turns without using elbows might be possible (and better from a pressure drop standpoint) depending on your installation. Based on UPC (0847428062223) This kit is probably sourced from Smarter Tools Inc. (Ashland VA) – but I don’t see it or additional parts on their website.
Framer joe
Definitely need 1/2″ ID at least for multiple zones…..
NewtonsApple
This looks like the kits made by RapidAir.
For long term installations, or longer runs with 1/2″ ID tubing, their Maxline product is much better: https://www.amazon.com/Maxline-M3800-Master-2-Inch-100-Feet/dp/B00CZ7GTLU
Maxline is based on PEX-AL-PEX tubing used in radiant heating applications and you couple probably piece together your own kits for a bit less from traditional suppliers.
NewtonsApple
Another thing to note, is I have had some issues with the thread quality on their fittings. I use Loctite 569 liquid thread sealant on everything now and have zero leaks with this approach.
https://www.rshughes.com/p/Loctite-569-Thread-Sealant-Brown-Liquid-50-Ml-Bottle-56931/079340_56931/
Tim
For $37 thread sealant, I think I’d rather just buy a better quality kit.
Ray
I have a friend who used 3/4 PVC white 300 PSI he has several hundred feet of it run to his house and two back buildings and it has worked great since 1987.
JMG
PVC under high air pressure is a ticking time bomb. Plastics will degrade over time, especially those exposed to sunlight or the elements. When it fractures under pressure, it will break along linear sections, of the chemical extrusion, creating shrapnel similar to flechettes that can do serious harm to anyone within range of the detonation.
I worked at a shop that was in a hurry to get up and running and they installed PVC as a stop gap to get under way. As can be expected, they never got around to upgrading the air supply, until the day that one of the pipes shattered, fortunately not injuring any employee, and only damaging some equipment. The worker closest to the damage had just walked away before the incident, and was a basket case after the fact.
PVC will not handle the system shock created by the air pressure cycles over the long term. Anyone who has not had an incident over any long period while using it for high pressure supply, is, in my opinion, living on borrowed time.
Frank D
What about water / condensation in the lines?
The only system I have seen and glanced at installed at someone’s house, with ports outside, was iron and had what looked like “sediment filters” and little valves to bleed water / condensation outside.
Stuart
It’s probably a good idea to have a filter and regulator in place between the compressor and piping.
The kit looks to have drains that connect at the bottom of each outlet.
One could potentially include a filter and regulator at each outlet. If there are extra fittings, you might be able to use standard components.
I’m really not sure what the best practices would be.
Nick Contos
Will 3/8″ tube like this work for long runs across my 120′ shop?
Stuart
Probably not. Maybe? My gut says that you’d need to step up to 1/2″ ID – at the least.
Adabhael
I agree with Stuart: probably not. FWIW, the distance from compressor to outlet for the similar 1/2″ OD (3/8 ID) nylon “Home Kit” from RapidAir is “up to 50 feet.” https://www.rapidairproducts.com/page/choose-a-system
I have no affiliation, but I did find their sizing guides and calculators useful for a shop I am currently building, and will be installing a few hundred feet of MaxLine next week.
Robert
At $75 each the husky come swith fittings, the rapid air does not. The amazon listing has small print saying photo doesn’t match .
Raoul
I piped mine up about 20 years ago with copper tubing. Started 3/4″ for a run about 80′ then ran 1/2″ branches from there. At the time I figured there would be too much pressure drop with 1/2″. Copper is clean for air lines.
Pete
One day after i get my garage built and finished i’ll probably use this kit.
Charlie
I bought tne Husky kit and found it very easy to install. I do need another “plug” and wonder if these plugs are available at a hardware store
Stuart
If not, you can buy them online, you just need to know the NPT thread size.
For example, McMaster Carr has several brass 3/8″ NPT plugs that might be suitable, if your manifolds are threaded to 3/8″ NPT sizing. They’re very inexpensive ($1.38 to $2.55 depending on style), but shipping might be pricier.
The hardware store *might* have something to fit your needs, but I’m having a hard time finding a SKU with the right search parameters.
Your best bet would be to contact Husky, or other contact mentioned in your user manual. They might be able to send you or sell you the hardware, or advise you as to what exactly you need.