Bench top air supply solutions

[esvee]

I've got a big hose reel for my main supply, and that's great for most things. What I'd like to have is a small whip mounted to my bench that I can use for bench top cleaning and the like. When you just need a little bit of air. I already have a separate output with its own regulator, but I'm not finding a great solution for what is effectively 1 super flexible ~6' line hooked to that regulator.

How are you solving this problem?

(Related, why is all air brush hose braided nylon?! That would be ideal if it was just, yknow, rubber.)

 

[jdm5]

Flexzilla:
https://www.flexzilla.com/air/whip-hose-assemblies/ - have used and would recommend
https://www.flexzilla.com/air/polyurethane-recoil-hose/ - haven't used but also might meet your needs

 

[nadogail]

Harbor Freight has a coiled plastic hose that I own two of.

 

[Prospecter]

I use a cheap Harbor Freight coil hose. 3 Years and counting.

 

[sberry]

You can get 10 ft sections, I like to T after the reg but if you have another reg you can rig for convenience. If you have a lot of main or a real manifold design going it's handy to have a service valve ahead of fil/reg. My place is a bit larger and I loop a section of hose along a set of hooks, can take one end down as much as needed. I make them from standard 25 ft, screw it to the wall and put a connector on the user end. Buy 25, cut in half and use factory ends on the connector and a barb at the wall. I got 1 scheme has 5 0utlets on one reg, some others 1. Tailor as desired, beautiful thing about screwed connections is they are easy to change. Don't get locked on to do it only once if you come up with a better way which is usually just after you get done with the first idea.

 

[esvee]

Flexzilla:
https://www.flexzilla.com/air/whip-hose-assemblies/ - have used and would recommend
https://www.flexzilla.com/air/polyurethane-recoil-hose/ - haven't used but also might meet your needs

As much as I love a recoil hose in open shop applications, I hate untangling them and how much room they take up.

 

[sberry]

I don't care for them, just don't, might be a personal problem though. I don't mind the blue stuff, some of it is a bit stiffer but its super durable. Got an orange one come on cheap HF reel and it's really good too, not so much as an end repair in over 20 yrs. Been on 24/7.

 

[kaymccampbell]

I have a couple of this curlicue purple polyurethane hoses plumbed under the front of my bench. One for a blow gun, one for whatever air tool I'm using to ruin my current victim.

 

[labonbjones]

I agree with what the others are saying. Go with something cheap from Harbor Freight. Not everything needs to be top notch.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

As much as I love a recoil hose in open shop applications, I hate untangling them and how much room they take up.

Put it on the wall and you will absolutely hate it. Hang it from the ceiling and it will be perfect. (In my opinion)

Coiled hoses, used in the wrong way, are definitely annoying.

When I was in trade school, I did machine shop in exploratory. Didn't go into that career, but they had coiled hoses hanging from the ceiling and I just loved the way they had it set up. Super convenient. Hang a hose wherever you need one, and just place it so you won't walk into it with your face

 

[zmotorsports]

I keep coiled airhoses connected at each end of my workbenches as well as spaced around the shop. Each one maintains an air blow gun but is quickly replaced with an air tool if/when needed. I guess you could call them multi-purpose as they are for more than just a quick blast of air but they sure come in handy for that as well. I also have a couple of hose reels spaced around the shop but I don't keep blow guns on them.

In my last shop I had plumbed my air up along the backsplash of my workbenches and hated it. It seemed like I was constantly knocking things off of the workbench when working as the hose would catch something and knock it to the floor. I thought it was a good idea at first but after living with it for many years I decided there was no way I would do that again in my new shop. I probably should have redone it in my last shop but never found the time.

In my new shop I placed an air drop at the end of either workbench with a dual manifold setup. I keep a 3/8" x 10' Coilhose connected with an air blow gun at each end to one of the outlets. I can quickly swap out the air blow gun for an air tool or connect another Coilhose at the other connector at the manifold on either end of the workbench. I also prefer the Coilhose as compared to the standard nylon hoses. The Coilhose are polyurethane and much more pliable, don't kink as easy and coil back up better to their original lengths so they don't droop or stretch out. I tossed the couple of nylon hoses I had from my old shop when I was setting up the new shop.

Here is the one between my solvent tank and the workbench. It easily hangs on the receiver tubing handle so it is readily available.


In use and no chance of knocking things off of the workbench like previously.


Here is the one at the other end of the L-shaped workbench between the vise and my toolbox.



This is probably one of the most used air drops. It is next to one of my shop doors on an exterior wall. I grab this one when needing to blow off OPE and such. I highly recommend one near a garage door as you'll find many uses for it.

 

[Citation]

As much as I love a recoil hose in open shop applications, I hate untangling them and how much room they take up.

What about getting a 6-10' 1/4" ID hose. Another option would be get a longer hose and a T fitting. Cut the hose and make it a T with a short, 5-6' non-coiled hose at each end of your bench.

Personally I do the coiled hose and hang it from a shelf near the bench. That prevents tangling.