Air Hose

[dirt t]

could someone advise me ?
I'm looking for a flexible air hose to use with my small air grinders, sanders and cutoff disc. I am using my regular air hose and it is cumbersome . I am not keen on those coiled yellow plastic hoses as they kink and always seem to be in the way.
Thank you for your time.
Terry

 

[WhiffySpark]

Flexzilla. I also use whip hoses

 

[sberry]

In my mind or application I like a reel or fixed whip which I try to make a standard piece which is 25 or 50 ft. Something super generic, get a handful of 3/8 x 1/4 barbs for additions or repair. I use damaged hose and new fittings all the time, can even reverse so there is a factory ferrule if one leaks.
The hose to my plasma was half a piece and so are some of the jumps from regs or manifolds to regs etc.

 

[kd3pc]

short swivel whips can be made or purchased in lengths between a few inches and a few feet.

They work great!!

 

[sberry]

This is a benefit of a cheap hose setup when you start. I take care and don't drive on it or burn it with a torch so it last a long time but a guy can buy extra to rig up and as it get replaced with more permanent installation it falls back to the extra. As you rig you find it less but every once in a while a hundred ft comes in handy ad if you got it you may use it. Good item to score on sale.

 

[sberry]

I don't have flex zilla but both rubber and cheap pvc which has its place. The cheap works in the summer, lasts a long time an is super abrasion resistant. Where its got to go out door in winter you need rubber. I really don't find the need for an air hose super flexible. Convenient and easy to roll or hang super vital.
We need new connects for ease of use but I don't like whips or hoses to hydrants. I like a fixed whip or reel where the live connect and disconnect occurs at the tool.
But as a one off concern in a small shop there re ready made 1/4 whips for just such an occasion.

 

[sberry]

They are used where duty cycles are hi especially on impacting tools to remove the hammer on all the fittings like the QD. Not such a concern with rotary and not so with general where that kind of thing would be a problem solver more than process tool. I cut a lot with wheels before we had plasma and cool saws.
Same for impacts, in a tire shop may or may not have a whip depending on layout.

 

[dr_clyde]

I have had outstanding luck with Goodyear yellow rubber hoses. If you want a reel, my 50 foot Coxreel is very nicely made.

 

[sberry]

I really don't even mind a manual reel. No reel gets old fast. As hard as you try its on the floor and being walked on.

 

[machine_punk]

flexilla is my current favorite.

 

[stg454]

I like Flexeel by Coilhose. Lightweight and doesn't kink

 

[GN4WHLN]

When I use a tool at one of my benches and don't need it to travel I use 5 foot Goodyear rubber hoses I bought at HF. I use longer pvc hoses for everything else. I like my cheepie HF pvc hose more then my heavier Craftsman one because the heavier one is too stiff unless it's hot outside

 

[Badger 13]

I have been happy with my Flexzilla. I have 100' on a Levelwind, and two 50 footers.

Jim

 

[chicken89]

i found 25' poly hoses at menards for $5 each, so i grabbed three
i have a 100' poly from HF that i've had for 9 years (on a HF manual reel)
i have a 50' poly hose from Lowes that i have had for a few years,
i have a 50' pvc hose from HF on a manual reel for 6 years
i had a 50 rubber hose (from HF years ago). when it split in the middle, i ended up cutting it into smaller sizes and little "patch" hoses that run 2' or so
i jsut bought a 50' flexzilla hose that is still in its package.
all of my hoses stay indoors
i hate the pvc hose because it is stiff and holds its shape. it was my "take to a friend's house" hose that i didn't care if it got damaged. now i have it mounted outside in my carport for when working on my car. i wont work on my car outside in the winter, so i figured it wouldn't be an issue with it keeping its shape
overall, i love the poly hoses. i don't use it frequently enough to say they hold up to heavy use, but they have been great and have had no problems.

the biggest problem i USED to have was the couplers. had problems with all the female couples i purchsed from HF. i have since gone with the universal couplers from Lowes, and have had no problems. many people say to get the Milton brand and never look back. if i was to be using my air tools more/consistently, i would probably get better brands, but as a casual user, everything i have is mid grade and works for me with little hassle

 

[CGT80]

I like Flexeel by Coilhose. Lightweight and doesn't kink

x2

I have a coil hose for the bench and I replaced the cheap rubber hose on my overhead reel with a 50' section, and I keep another 50' rolled up on a hook. It is all 1/4" ID, so the thin hose feels more like an extension cord than an air hose. It runs my IR 2135TI 1/2" impact with no problem and it works fairly well for the IR 90 degree composite die grinder. With 1/4" couplers, I am not sure 3/8" hose would help, but flexeel 3/8" probably feels better than even 1/4" rubber. I do have a short section of 3/8" pvc/rubber or some semi flexible cheap hose that connects my plasma cutter when it is in the garage. I used the rest of that old cheap hose to plumb my little single car garage for air. It worked well for that purpose.

 

[dirt t]

Thanks for your reply's.
I'm not sure I'll find flexzilla in Kingman Az .
Terry