Air hose questions

[lowcountrygamecock]

So I need to buy some new air hoses. One for a retractable hose reel and maybe one other. I hate the kobalt rubber hose that I have now and want to buy a nicer one. I want one that won't kink up or be so stiff you can't move it. I see there are PVC and rubber and several other types. What's the best way to go for a good all around hose that will probably end up on a reel?

 

[p_mori7]

Rubber all the way.

 

[logixjock]

I put 3/8 Goodyear pliovic on my hose reel a couple of month ago. Couldn't be happier with it. Kind of spendy though, Harbor Freight quit selling it and I ended up getting it from Amazon.

 

[retrobuilder]

Good hoses-

The 3/8 Goodyear rubber or pliovic
Legacy rubber

Just be sure you have the fitting setup you prefer. I prefer male/female fittings. Some hoses come male/male. You can of course put coupling for extensions but just another fitting to come loose.

Use Milton couplers. "style M" or Type D are popular or Automotive Types. The universal "u" fittings and some asian couplers have fitting tolerances that are too loose.

 

[malibu101]

I'm sure some other guys will say this also. Legacy FlexZilla hose.
I've been using one for a few years and love it.
The flourescent green was a turn off for me at first but now it shows that it's seen work and the color has grown on me.

I used the Goodyear rubber ones before this one, and liked them, but lost them due to bursts where there was heavy flex.
When I need to buy another hose, it WILL be a FlexZilla.

 

[Joe69]

We have a couple of Flexzillas in our shop, and they are great. But, the best air hoses I have ever used are the ones I've made from Parker push lok hose. You'll will them to your grand-children. I've had the same push lok air hose on my service truck for 15 years, and it's still as good as the day I made it, and it's out in the sun 365 days a year.

Joe

 

[Buckgnarly]

Flexilla all the way, especially if it gets cold. Stuff is WAY better than rubber in the cold!

 

[KenC]

Urethane, (Flexilla is one, but not the only one) first choice. Rubber second, everything else a distant third. I find pliovic and similar hoses to be too stiff when moderately cold.

Urethane is just about unaffected by temp changes.

 

[unisawone]

I agree with Joe, Parker Pusk-lok if you can afford it. You won't regret it! stuff lasts for ever and you can easily put splices in it. I think you can splice the Flexzilla also and that is much cheaper but not as nice to use.

 

[Smiliesafari]

I've had an old PVC hose for 20 years. Still works fine.