Compressor & Air Hose Question

[Wasmeneh]

I bought a Harbor Freight reel probably 20 years ago. The original hose went a couple of years ago and I had purchased on Craig's list a large Kobalt standing compressor. It vame with probably 500 feet of lightweight hoses you see roofers using. Replaced the worn out hose with the light weight and the hose reel still works great. I keep anothe 100 feet of the lightweight hose on a manual reel with quick connects if I need more than 50 feet.

 

[astrohip]

Again, thanks all. Really good info.

I am thinking about getting electrical cord reels too. I unwind and windup an extension cord way too often.

I have two of them, one of the best buys I've made. Very handy!

Do so. You'll find you can get a decent quality 50' piece of hose for $20 or less while the reel units are usually closer to $75.

Thanks, that makes sense!

 

[countrybumpkin]

I have three of the retractable hose reels in the shop, use them all the time. I do have a few 50 foot hoses rolled up if for some reason I need to reach farther then the reel.

 

[ovrszd]

I have three of the retractable hose reels in the shop, use them all the time. I do have a few 50 foot hoses rolled up if for some reason I need to reach farther then the reel.

Yep. My soon to be old shop uses an air reel and an electric cord reel. My new shop has an air reel at each end and a cord reel in the middle.

It's a toss up which is more handy. Wouldn't be without either

 

[astrohip]

More greenie questions... I'm looking at getting a "Plug & Coupler" kit, so I can connect a reel to the compressor. Are the connections taped or lubed in any way, or simply connected as-is? I'm talking about the permanent connections between the hose and the plugs & couplers.

Also, if I want to make a short piece of hose to reach to the compressor (farther than the hose that comes attached reaches), what do I need to buy? I'm not seeing short pieces, just 25' and longer hoses. Buy one of those and cut it?

 

[Diggin It]

^^ When I make up a fitting, I always use Teflon tape.

I've seen some shorter pieces, but if I have to cut and make a short one, they sell barbed fittings for them. Then you can either crimp with a special tool, or use a small hose clamp.

 

[ovrszd]

You can buy what's called a Whip Hose in various lengths as short as 3ft. Google it.

 

[astrohip]

You can buy what's called a Whip Hose in various lengths as short as 3ft. Google it.

Bingo! Thanks for the info.

 

[ovrszd]

Bingo! Thanks for the info.

You're welcome.

 

[Raspy]

More greenie questions... I'm looking at getting a "Plug & Coupler" kit, so I can connect a reel to the compressor. Are the connections taped or lubed in any way, or simply connected as-is? I'm talking about the permanent connections between the hose and the plugs & couplers.

Also, if I want to make a short piece of hose to reach to the compressor (farther than the hose that comes attached reaches), what do I need to buy? I'm not seeing short pieces, just 25' and longer hoses. Buy one of those and cut it?

Hydraulic hose makes the best whip hose I've ever used. A tractor shop will make any length you need with 3/8" or 1/2" pipe fittings. Cheap air hoses will fail while sitting under pressure before very long.

Make up any pipe thread connection with either pipe dope or teflon tape. In a pinch and far from town, and for air connections, you could use glue or epoxy. But teflon tape is best.