Air hose reels

[Doc1976]

Looking for opinions here on some of the best reels around the $100 range. I am less concerned about the quality of the hose itself and more concerned about the reel. I want the spring and swivels fittings to last a while. Ive been reading that people are having luck with the HF ones. Any personal experience in this area welcome.

 

[99LeCouch]

I have a Kobalt reel. For my intermittent use, it works fine. Probably the same as a HF reel, but in blue. I got it during their Black Friday sale, when it was down to $60.

 

[driftpin]

I have a 3/8" rubber tube, 50 ft HFT one, several years supplied by a 17 cfm Saylor-Beall and have had no significant issues, though if I leave it under pressure, I do find the compressor starts after a couple hours. I have a ball valve to shut-off the compressor to the branch the reel is on, and that stops it.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have one from Northern Tool, manual reel. Just installed it and haven't used it a whole lot yet but it feels like a decent unit.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

+1 on the HF reel. Mine works great and doesn't leak air. No system pressure loss when left pressurized.

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[HMCFab9]

I have a flexzilla reel.
The hose is nice, the reel is chintzy & could use more spring to pull the hose back in.

 

[dagofast]

We've had a 50 ft. Retracta for well over a decade. It has been a great reel but after many years of use in a blazing hot garage, I had to replace the o-rings a couple of years ago. The friendly folks at Retracta (Macnaught) were quite helpful and mailed out the necessary parts quickly. It now happily hangs in my new climate controlled shop and gets used often.

That said, I ran ¾" soft copper line through the stem wall footers and then underground from the shop to the house and when we added a hose reel in the blazing hot 2 car garage at this new house, I wasn't prepared to pay $200+ for a hose reel that would see only occasional use so we slapped up a $57 HF fifty foot hose reel. It has worked fine for 2 years, the return spring is strong as hell and it doesn't leak. Does it have the same high quality feel as the Retracta? No. Does it work? Yes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LB61TCK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[sberry]

Retractors for overhead,,, manual for down low.

 

[lemmy999]

Which harbor freight one? They have 5 on their website. I have an old Craftsman one that has worked well. It has a very strong return spring. But the part of the reel that goes side to side so the hose is wound on the reel properly (the hose guide) seems to have broken so the hose all winds on the far left side so it sometimes binds. I'm going to see if I can fix it, but if not I will be looking for a new one.

 

[JKeetonKnives]

I had one of the HF ones. Lasted about 2 years before I ditched it for leaking. Pretty convenient. I'm fairly sure mine was the Central brand 25' hose.

 

[BukitCase]

I have a few of the HF black steel reels - couple 25's, rest 50's. No probs with the reels, can't say the same for their hoses. One of the 50's the hose was so checked after being in service for a couple MONTHS, I changed it out for one of their "diablo" black hoses - so far I'm not sure if that one's gonna be any better, time will tell.

No leaks directly attributed to the reels and their connections, but I'm addicted to QD's (my various shop spaces are still kinda "fluid") - My Dev-Air 5 horse 80 gallon comp is pressure lubed and rated to run 24/7/365, so when I get up I open the main tank valve and I shut it when I quit for the day.

"Mrs. Bukit" is as addicted to having compressed air (after living with ME for 55 years ) that we now BOTH agree that if EITHER of us dies the same time the compressor does, it's the compressor that'll get replaced FIRST (or ONLY ) ...Steve

 

[engineer2]

No problems with the HF reels. Get the 50 ft.
The 25 ft version is too short to be useful.

 

[Slednut]

I have a Klutch from Northern Tool, not too happy with it. Came with a lead in hose with a funky fitting on it.

 

[dagofast]

Which harbor freight one? They have 5 on their website. I have an old Craftsman one that has worked well. It has a very strong return spring. But the part of the reel that goes side to side so the hose is wound on the reel properly (the hose guide) seems to have broken so the hose all winds on the far left side so it sometimes binds. I'm going to see if I can fix it, but if not I will be looking for a new one.

I have this one. It's been a very solid reel for the money. https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-50-ft-retractable-hose-reel-62344.html?_br_psugg_q=hose+reel

Don't pay more than $59 though. They are a regular sale and coupon item.

 

[Mustang415]

Anyone have a Tekton reel? I like the other stuff they make, wondering if their reels are worth it.


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[fang123]

I've had the HF 50' reel for at least a decade. Never a problem. Mine came with 3/8 fittings on the hose. I use it daily, and the hose is just now starting to give me problems. replacement is in the near future. I doubt the ones with the current hoses would last like it. Also have a Lincoln 1/2" hose reel that is very problematic. would not recommend a Lincoln.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Is this Champion 50’ worth $40? A fellow I know is moving and asked me if I was interested. Have only seen this pic of the Champion.

 

[ddawg16]

I have the CH one from HD. It's been up for 10+ years....no issues. In the summer my uses it more than me.