Quality Replacement Garden Hose Ends

DocHeb · May 4, 2009

I bought some high-quality 3/4" by 100 foot garden hoses three years ago. They weren't cheap, but I thought I was paying extra for quality. Now two of them have had their brass ends crack and are unusable. I have never been happy with any replacement hose ends I have used in the past. They are either cheap plastic, don't fit, or the worst - involve worm gear hose clamps. Any suggestions for the ultimate replacement hose ends?

My optimal solution would be a crimped-on end similiar to OEM, but my local hose shop just stared blankly when I asked.

randy41 · May 4, 2009

those 'cheap' plastic ends hold up very well...assuming you don't drive over them.

Bird · May 4, 2009

Ten or twelve years ago, I found some all brass screw together ends and splices that were great. And a month or so ago, I searched everywhere I could think of, eventually gave up, and bought a plastic one.

I guess our garden hoses are supposed to be disposable like so many other products in these times.

Scooby074 · May 4, 2009

Gilmour makes quality stuff.Look for hose ends with a brass "hex". These are usually the best. Look for Made in US ends too ive had no luck with China/India brass. Have a look at this page Zinc Menders/Brass Couplers

I hate worm type hose clamps too so ive gone almost exclusively to oetiker clamps2-Ear Clamps Ear Clamps Product Group 101 & 151 OETIKER International

Bird · May 4, 2009

Jason, I'm afraid that's the kind I was talking about. The two screw type; better than nothing, but not much better.

reddog176 · May 4, 2009

Howbout something like this: Female coupling hose Repair - Brass - 5/8 Inch HorseLoverZ.com
It's a compression fitting, rather than a crimp fitting, but looks like it would hold up better than some of the others.

Bird · May 4, 2009

Reddog, I'm not sure if it's the same brand, but that's what I used 10 or 12 years ago that I really liked. They made the same style for repairing or splicing hoses together. It seems someone left my nice new hose laying by the garden, the grass grew up around it, and it got run over by the lawnmower. And to make matters worse, I couldn't even blame it on my wife.

DocHeb · May 4, 2009

I've used that type in the past on some 5/8" hose, but the difference between 5/8" and 3/4" is such they don't match. I would give thay style if I could find some for 3/4" hose.

Scooby074 · May 4, 2009

Bird said:
Jason, I'm afraid that's the kind I was talking about. The two screw type; better than nothing, but not much better.

Yeah, i dont like using the factory "screw type" clamp either. I was suggesting that he use the threaded brass hose coupler part, but instead of the zinc 2-piece clamp, use the Oetiker ear style clamp pictured. I keep a selection of various sizes on hand and rarely use a worm screw clamp anymore. They give a great connection in a compact package, with nothing to scratch or get hung up on anything, like the 2 piece or worm type clamps.

Q-Saw · May 5, 2009

Perhaps something like this. I prefer to put a wrench on it, rather than use knurled fittings - just my preference.

Farmtek sells them in male/female pairs in several hose diameters:

ValuTek Brass Hose Fittings - FarmTek

I hope this helps,

- Marty

.

DocHeb · May 5, 2009

Q-Saw said:
Perhaps something like this. I prefer to put a wrench on it, rather than use knurled fittings - just my preference.

Farmtek sells them in male/female pairs in several hose diameters:

I hope this helps, - Marty.

Thanks, I'll give those a try - I like the specific sizing and the hex facings.

jsboening · May 5, 2009

Anyone know of a source for a good quality sprayer? One that doesn't break the first time you drop it. Those cheap, made in China ones aren't so cheap if you have to buy them in bulk.

Scooby074 · May 5, 2009

Bug sprayer?

I have a Hudson Bugweiser in stainless thats been great. Nice brass wands. Totally re-buildable (for under $15). Only time i had to rebuild was after i left pesticide in it over the winter.

DocHeb · May 7, 2009

Q-Saw said:
Perhaps something like this. I prefer to put a wrench on it, rather than use knurled fittings - just my preference.

Farmtek sells them in male/female pairs in several hose diameters:

ValuTek Brass Hose Fittings - FarmTek

I hope this helps, - Marty.

Well, the ends that I ordered from FarmTek came today. They are quite impressive, hefty chunks of machined brass - probable about 10 oz a set (Male & Female). However, they have VERY tight tolerances for the OD/ID and wall thickness of the hose so they won't fit my hose. Since I already have the Farmtek fittings I will probably buy some of their hose that the fittings were made for.

I did find some Ferulles and Garden Hose Barbs at FittingsandAdapters.com. I will take a printout of the web page to my local hydraulic hose shop to see if they would try swagging these to my hose. However, it would be something out of their norm and it is hard to find people willing to try something different.

Q-Saw · May 8, 2009

Chris -

Wow, that was fast delivery. I'm sorry the fittings didn't work out for you.

- Marty

DocHeb · May 8, 2009

Q-Saw said:
Chris -

Wow, that was fast delivery. I'm sorry the fittings didn't work out for you.

- Marty

No need to feel sorry - I'll probably switch over gradually to the Farmtek hose if the first batch I buy works out well. I like the concept of removable/reusable hose ends so that if I damage one section of hose I can easily and neatly repair it.

TBDonnelly · May 8, 2009

Chris, For what you're going to have invested in hose ends you might check this hose out at Sam's Club in Ypsi.

Sam's Club - Apex® Powerflo® IV Commercial Garden Hose -120ft

Don

DocHeb · May 8, 2009

TBDonnelly said:
Chris, For what you're going to have invested in hose ends you might check this hose out at Sam's Club in Ypsi.

Sam's Club - Apexｮ Powerfloｮ IV Commercial Garden Hose -120ft

Don

The thing that bugs me is buying something and then throwing 99% of it away because 1% went bad. I hate wasting things.

DEERSLAYER · May 12, 2009

The Craftsman black rubber hose at sears is very good quality. It is guaranteed for life and is made in USA!

gf5205 · May 12, 2009

DocHeb said:
Well, the ends that I ordered from FarmTek came today. They are quite impressive, hefty chunks of machined brass - probable about 10 oz a set (Male & Female). However, they have VERY tight tolerances for the OD/ID and wall thickness of the hose so they won't fit my hose. Since I already have the Farmtek fittings I will probably buy some of their hose that the fittings were made for.

Just take a utility knife and slightly reduce to outside diameter of your hose until the ends fit. I've done it and it works great.
Greg