Air Hose Selection

[Gordon0652]

Hi Everyone!

My first post here

I recently purchased 1/2" air hoses for my shop from Tractor Supply and I must say they are terrible! They are as stiff as PVC and the shop is kept to 60*F during the winter months. I literally cannot work with them and I am scared that when I move them, they might scrape a car bumper.

Can anyone suggest hoses and maybe share links you have had great experiences with? They do need to be 1/2".

Thanks All!

Ken

 

[kd3pc]

I have always tried to get "Goodyear" hose (labeled as such on the hose) for my lines, as I expect them to lie on the floor and be flexible all year long.

Worth a few extra bucks in the long run.

 

[CobraRed]

I like BlueBird for hoses, but their 1/2" is only 15' long it appears. So try Astroflex, my 3/8" works well.

I have always tried to get "Goodyear" hose (labeled as such on the hose) for my lines, as I expect them to lie on the floor and be flexible all year long.

Worth a few extra bucks in the long run.

Goodyear is just a licensed name now. Any Chinese manufacturer can pay a royalty to make "Goodyear" hoses.

 

[kd3pc]

I like BlueBird for hoses, but their 1/2" is only 15' long it appears. So try Astroflex, my 3/8" works well.




Goodyear is just a licensed name now. Any Chinese manufacturer can pay a royalty to make "Goodyear" hoses.

thanks for the update, appreciate it and I humbly stand corrected.

 

[rlitman]

...Goodyear is just a licensed name now. Any Chinese manufacturer can pay a royalty to make "Goodyear" hoses.

For hoses, it has been for a LONG time. Still, I've had decent luck with their products.

 

[Skin]

Second Bluebird. They're an India company and its manufactured there but I was impressed with the rep on here giving out product looking for real world feedback and critiques. Not cheap but quality is absolutely there and everyone who got one for review or purchase has said nothing but good things.

They sell 1/2" in multiple lengths and grades.

 

[bcradio]

Flexzilla are my go-to hoses for the past 5 years or so. They work flawlessly.

 

[Gordon0652]

Thank you all for the speedy responses. I'm going to try BLUBIRD after your recommendations and after reading reviews. Amazon sells a 1/2" x 25' for 27$, I'll try it out!

Greatly appreciated!

 

[80mirada]

The old Goodyear hoses are now Continental branded.

 

[CobraRed]

The old Goodyear hoses are now Continental branded.

Correct

 

[cgv69]

They do need to be 1/2"

I'd like to hear your guys opinion on that as well?

I've always used 3/8 and its been fine (Goodyear brand from back when it was truely Goodyear brand) but have wanted to get new hose, something light and portable. These BlueBirds look nice but I'm not sure if there is any reason to up it to a 1/2 hose?

 

[AA/FC]

I've had good luck with the yellow Goodyear air hose in the past. A few years ago I bought a bunch of the BluBird air hose and it's been great, especially in cold weather. It' can get a little stiff in minus -20F weather but then again, what doesn't at that temperature? lol. One of the guys I worked with a few years ago thought it was almost too soft in normal temps. I own both BluBird and Flexzilla hoses, and use both outside in negative Fahrenheit temps, both brands perform great. I don't really think one is better than the other. Buy whichever one you get the best deal on. (probably BluBird)

 

[Super Sport]

Goodyear hoses were made by Tekton/MIT, but I'm not sure that is still the case. Tekton does sell their own USA-made hoses, some of which are hybrid material. I have one here in the packaging but have not used it yet to give feedback.

 

[AA/FC]

Goodyear hoses were made by Tekton/MIT, but I'm not sure that is still the case. Tekton does sell their own USA-made hoses, some of which are hybrid material. I have one here in the packaging but have not used it yet to give feedback.

You mean Goodyear, a huge RUBBER company, did NOT manufacturer the RUBBER air hose with their name on it? Lol.

Does Goodyear make tires, or are they actually made by someone else, too?

 

[AA/FC]

I didn't realize that Tekton/MIT even owned a manufacturing facility. I was under the impression that Tekton/MIT was a "tool brand" based in Michigan that bought all it's product from 3rd party manufacturers (mostly based in China) and then stuck their name on the products and packaging.


.

 

[AA/FC]

Goodyear hoses were made by Tekton/MIT, but I'm not sure that is still the case.

One last post from me on this topic.....

Super Sport, are you sure about this claim? Because after a few quick google searches I can find Goodyear Air hose packaging all over the internet that says "Made in USA by Goodyear". I have a hard time believing that a world wide rubber company, who manufacturers MANY other types of rubber hose for commercial industry, would need a small (relatively) company in Michigan to make a rubber hose product FOR them?

 

[Super Sport]

You mean Goodyear, a huge RUBBER company, did NOT manufacturer the RUBBER air hose with their name on it? Lol.

Does Goodyear make tires, or are they actually made by someone else, too?

After having bought my Goodyear air hose at HF back when they still sold them, I thought it was crazy too! I don't really remember the details, but it was discussed on here several times.

I didn't realize that Tekton/MIT even owned a manufacturing facility. I was under the impression that Tekton/MIT was a "tool brand" based in Michigan that bought all it's product from 3rd partY manufacturers (mostly based in China) and then stuck their name on the products and packaging.

It's possible they rebranded them as well, but I'm not aware of anybody else selling a USA-made hybrid air hose. I believe I read a post about a handful of things they actually make, air hoses included, but cannot find it now. I should know, since they are headquartered about an hour from me!

 

[Super Sport]

One last post from me on this topic.....

Super Sport, are you sure about this claim? Because after a few quick google searches I can find Goodyear Air hose packaging all over the internet that says "Made in USA by Goodyear". I have a hard time believing that a world wide rubber company, who manufacturers MANY other types of rubber hose for commercial industry, would need a small (relatively) company in Michigan to make a rubber hose product FOR them?

Since I don't work for either company (and the hoses are no longer made) I can only be as sure as what I can read.

Here is one post discussing it, I'm sure there are more: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362632

Edit: here is a thread by Dave who works at Tekton, discussing Goodyear and other Tekton production: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131481&highlight=tekton+goodyear
It looks like Tekton assembled the hoses bought from another supplier, so Goodyear may have been the actual manufacturer of the rubber.

 

[AA/FC]

Without reading every word in that thread, it sounds to me like Tekton hose is/was actually made by Goodyear (before the buyout) then Tekton stuck their name on it..... which is exactly what Tekton is known for, and is much more likely the case.

 

[Super Sport]

Without reading every word in that thread, it sounds to me like Tekton hose is/was actually made by Goodyear (before the buyout) then Tekton stuck their name on it..... which is exactly what Tekton is known for, and is much more likely the case.

Yeah, except it sounds like Tekton did do some assembly - likely cut to length and installed the fittings - at their own facility.

As mentioned I do have a Tekton-branded hybrid air hose still in the packaging. I just went and got it, and it says "made in USA" rather than "assembled". I am not aware of any other USA-made hybrid air hoses, so they may actually produce this one completely.

 

[billyjp2]

I work for a hose distributor that sells goodyear/continental hose. I was given a 3/8 x 25 ft sample of their F5 hose and continue to be very impressed. Also have many insta-grip (push on hose) assemblies that I love. You can buy hose and fittings in bulk and repair yourself with no clamps or crimping. The cover has great oil resistance, won't bloat like regular rubber

 

[sberry]

What are you doing with this and what air comp do you have. In common garage shop 3/8 is standard unless there is a specific reason for larger.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Do the Goodyear’s from HF smell any different from the Goodyear’s of the past?

 

[anndel]

My Goodyear hose just made 4 years and still going strong.

 

[rpcraft]

I've yet to buy any of these but someone told me the Diablo hoses at HF were actually astonishingly good? Anyone have any advice pro or con?

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I just ordered Goodyear hose 3/8" x 50'. Should be here tomorrow. Most of the searches I did on this site recommended Goodyear/Continental. I had to order new hose because my old hose is leaking due to cracks.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0089XH5O4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CGT80]

I have tekton 3/8" hybrid usa hose. The stuff is great and I have had it for a year. The first was a 10 foot whip, but when I decided it was working out great and I wanted another, they were unavailable. Instead, I bought a 50 foot hose and cut two more 10 foot whips and used reusable hose fittings that have two parts that screw together instead of using a clamp.

 

[sberry]

I have several hoses going on 30 yrs.

 

[matt_i]

I have a couple of the Goodyear yellow, also says "made in USA" on the jacket. Good service with these, I put a couple in the attic as temporary airlines until I get more time to rig up a hard piped system. At times I will leave the compressor "live" and detect no runtime from it across a 3 day weekend, which says to me they are impressively non-leaky. I threw out a neon green snapon and a orange husky which were either splitting the sidewall or leaking like a sieve.

 

[Bondo]

Flexzilla are my go-to hoses for the past 5 years or so. They work flawlessly.

Ayuh,..... Same here,....

All of my ole rubber, 'n pvc hoses hang on a back wall as back-ups that are never used,.....

 

[Kasal]

+ 1, BlueBird. A couple of months ago I have one and I am very happy it is very soft, flexible and light.

 

[6PTsocket]

I've had good luck with the yellow Goodyear air hose in the past. A few years ago I bought a bunch of the BluBird air hose and it's been great, especially in cold weather. It' can get a little stiff in minus -20F weather but then again, what doesn't at that temperature? lol. One of the guys I worked with a few years ago thought it was almost too soft in normal temps. I own both BluBird and Flexzilla hoses, and use both outside in negative Fahrenheit temps, both brands perform great. I don't really think one is better than the other. Buy whichever one you get the best deal on. (probably BluBird)

Do I get to guess what doesn't get stiff at -20? LOL!!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[AA/FC]

Do I get to guess what doesn't get stiff at -20? LOL!!

Yes.... but you only get one guess. Lol.

 

[sanddan]

My Goodyear hose just made 4 years and still going strong.

I have goodyear hoses that are over 20 years old and still going strong. I have one that's on a hose reel that's almost that old and has been under pressure the whole time. The olds ones are very good, not sure about newer versions.

Flexzilla hoses are great, all my air tools have flexzilla whips on them. I like 3/8" for main hoses and 1/4" for the whips.

 

[motorhead12]

I've yet to buy any of these but someone told me the Diablo hoses at HF were actually astonishingly good? Anyone have any advice pro or con?

I have had one of those for about a year, and so far it's been great. I think it's definitely worth the low cost It seems to be very abrasion resistant; I guess time will tell how it holds up.

 

[bseant]

Flexzilla are my go-to hoses for the past 5 years or so. They work flawlessly.

im also on the Flexilla train!! Absolutely the best and the price isn't bad either. I use them for all my air and garden hoses. The garden hoses were the best purchase ever!

 

[Tallpilot]

Flexzilla are my go-to hoses for the past 5 years or so. They work flawlessly.

Agreed. I use them for my long hose. For short hoses the USA made Tekton hybrid are excellent.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Goodyear/Continental rubber hose or Flexzilla...

Don't even think about buying anything that is PVC or Hybrid... You aren't saving that much up front and you are only going to cost yourself more down the road...