air hose for higher cfm tools

[goodwrench]

I am wanting to set up an air hose for higher cfm tools. i am coming off of a gas two stage 30 gallon unit, so i have the air flow covered. Just not how to get it to the tool. i have read about couplers and hose sizes till my head hurts. i know i need a 1/2" hose, but what about the thread size on the hose? 3/8 vs 1/2? what i am leaning towards is a flexzilla 1/2" hose with 3/8npt ends. and for couplers, the local store carries 3/8 body size; 3/8npt campbell hausfeld connectors. while not my first choice, i think they would work fine and can upgrade later. but i was wondering what the more expierenced thought? will that combo satisfactorily carry enough cfm with minimal pressure loss? i am looking to use it for 1/2" impact, maybe a harbor freight 3/4" impact, a high flow blow gun, things that make for large pressure drops on 3/8 hose. i don't have a clue on the cfm, but i would guess at least 20+ cfm flow at times. would 1/2" hose, 1/2"npt, and 1/2" milton g couplers be totally over kill? any thoughts?

 

[md21722]

Basic rule is 1/2" hose for 3/4" guns & 3/8" hose for everything else. Setting line pressure is more critical than the hose size.

If the tool takes a 3/8" NPT fitting that's you're clue to use a bigger air line or more pressure. Most automotive tools are made for 1/4" NPT fittings.

When you get into industrial grade tools you will find the big stuff for 5-7-9" pneumatic grinders and stuff like that, but we are talking shipyards, not your average automotive repair shop.

 

[WittHay]

1/2" hose with 1/2" fittings is for 1" impacts running at 150 to 175 psi. If you don't have shutoffs they are a pain to uncouple at full pressure. They are not like your normal 1/4" couplers

3/4" impacts are something you have to play with. 3/8" or 1/2" hose with 3/8" fittings with pressure from 100 to 150 psi depending on the impact

 

[sberry]

i have read about couplers and hose sizes till my head hurts. i know i need a 1/2" hose,

This is a big problem, way too much information is as confusing as too little.

 

[driz]

1/2" hose with 1/2" fittings is for 1" impacts running at 150 to 175 psi. If you don't have shutoffs they are a pain to uncouple at full pressure. They are not like your normal 1/4" couplers

3/4" impacts are something you have to play with. 3/8" or 1/2" hose with 3/8" fittings with pressure from 100 to 150 psi depending on the impact

I run all my gear on 3/8 and sometimes use a shorter run of 1/4 for convenience. Everything runs fine. Sburry is right . You shouldn't need that heavy gear. It's a pain to deal with and very expensive . If your tools art bogging down you might be leaning on them too hard. I've seen that before.


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[sberry]

A blow gun doesn't care if there is a drop and its only an issue if it isn't doing the work needs to be done. 2 stage is for running these tools, the rest of the world runs 3/8 unless the6y really need it. 3/8 with the 1/4 fittings works for me, I suspect it will work for you too.

 

[skruft]

I have had two industrial-size grinders and a 1" impact (all gotten for nothing and sold on eBay) that would not run on a 3/8 hose with the usual small couplers, and there are surely other large tools that will not, but most work fine. I have some 1/2 hoses though because if they are long, the flow is reduced.