BluBird Rubber Hoses

[rishavrastogi]

I'm skeptical of things made in India as well... quality of workmanship is not something India is known for in the global market. Rubber recipes may be absolute, but attention to detail by workers will alter that. Maybe you keep all the quality made products domestically and this is the first exported item of quality? I've handled enough metal items made there with terrible quality... and assembling a knife or grinding an edge on it is not tough stuff.

I'm open minded to try it out if I happens that I can... if it's good enough could be something to replace the hoses in our shop and our rental dept including our jack hammer hoses. Dissapointing you are introducing the product and only allotted 5 samples tho. We don't necessarily need 25 foot long hoses...1 foot would tell most of us everything we need to know with some time to test it out...and without connectors on it would be fine as well, which would let us test repairability in the field.

FWIW, you need to be advertising to industry, not just dropping your name here and get setup with some larger distribution channel than Menards. As large as they are (to members here) they are nothing in the scheme of things since 90% of the country has never heard of them and has none nearby.

Get some real way people can buy them - online store direct if need be - and get ads to the people who will be using the product.

Hi,

Menards has been one of our long time customers so it was kind of natural for us to start there. They had a shootout and our hose beat Goodyears and Flexillas and went there. Of course, I agree we need other channels and we are working on them. Don't want to lose out now that we have a quality product which is potentially brand-establishing.

As far as samples are concerned, we limited them as we were already selling them at the stores. However, if you want sample cut-lengths, we'd like to send some to you. I'll even send a piece of the jackhammer hose as I feel we've a really special one there.

Let me know your details at [email protected] and we'll have the samples dispatched asap.

Thanks!

 

[HAP]

Hi,

We accept that issue with the bend-restrictors not being great quality. However, we've fixed that issue and their quality on the hoses going out of our unit now is substantially better. We will look into rubber possibilities too. Didn't till now because of the price bump they'll bring.

Also, the thread protectors have been improved as well.

Thank you for the feedback though. It only helps.

Rish,

I would love to exchange the one I have for the improved bend restrictors. It's still new and in the packaging. I'm embarrassed to use it with the existing cheesy ends. Also, is there an optional 3/8" hose with 3/8" threads? I was hopping to replace my old reel hose and did not want extra bushing fittings in my set-up.

Thanks,
HAP

 

[rishavrastogi]

Rish,

I would love to exchange the one I have for the improved bend restrictors. It's still new and in the packaging. I'm embarrassed to use it with the existing cheesy ends. Also, is there an optional 3/8" hose with 3/8" threads? I was hopping to replace my old reel hose and did not want extra bushing fittings in my set-up.

Thanks,
HAP

Hi,

We can send you a new sample with no bend restrictors as the new ones will take a week more and they will still be plastic - just much better quality. However, you can take the ones you have off as well. Just dip the ends in hot/boiling water and they should come off.

Let me know if you still need a new piece (on mail, I'll need to confirm the address) or if the current one will do.

Best
Rishav

 

[7echo]

Are there additional vendors to Menards? Any industrial supply houses?

 

[rishavrastogi]

Are there additional vendors to Menards? Any industrial supply houses?

As of now, there is not. However, we are in the process. Apache Hose and Belting (Iowa) and Gazelle Marketing (MN) will be having the entire range before January ends.
There is also this company known as K-Tool (part of ISN) which will have some but I'm not sure if they'll cater directly.

Gazelle sells it here too:
http://www.hoseandfittingsupply.com/product-p/blbrd.htm

 

[lmalcomb]

Ok blubird air hose beta tester checking, it was 4 degrees here this morning. This hose is just as flexible at 4 degrees as it is at 75 degrees. It is well made & has brass ends. This hose has held 150 psi for days on end with no leaks. As an added bonus it does not have the unpleasant odor that many imported rubber products have now days. The stuff is so good I bought 4 more rolls while Menards had it on sale for $12.99 a roll.

I can't wait to get My hands on some of the garden hose, maybe this spring ?

 

[Gazellemarketing]

Gazelle Marketing in Minneapolis now has a full inventory of the Blu Bird hose. You can reach me at [email protected] or 612-616-1236. You will love this hose!

 

[Scimmia]

I too picked up one at Menards cheap recently. I haven't used it a lot yet, but it's definitely more flexible in the cold than Goodyear Gorilla yellow hose. Doesn't seem as flexible as Flexzilla at the store, but I haven't tried Flexzilla yet so I don't know how it does at lower temps or even once it's under pressure.

 

[loranger]

Anybody know where to get this hose for a good price? I completely missed this thread earlier and the hose is now $29.99 on Menards website.

 

[Gazellemarketing]

Call me at Gazelle Marketing. 612-616-1236. Will get you great pricing.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Missed this thread earlier as well...whats the deal with the "Wrapped Rubber" Hose?
http://www.thebluehose.com/blubird_wrapped-rubber-air-hose.htm
The site doesnt really have any good info on how its different then the standard hose?

I'm looking for a 25' 3/8" Hose to use in the shop.

I've been in LOVE with Polyurethane hoses...light, easy to pull around, super flexible even when VERY VERY Cold, field reparable ends.. I'm not a really fan of the Flexzilla, its better then a standard rubber hose but IMHO I prefer the Poly hoses...just wonder how these stack up against that...

 

[rishavrastogi]

I too picked up one at Menards cheap recently. I haven't used it a lot yet, but it's definitely more flexible in the cold than Goodyear Gorilla yellow hose. Doesn't seem as flexible as Flexzilla at the store, but I haven't tried Flexzilla yet so I don't know how it does at lower temps or even once it's under pressure.

Hi. Thanks for purchasing a piece and I hope your experience has been and will be great. And as far as comparisons to Flexilla are concerned, Flexilla will feel more flexible (a little too flexible if you ask me - soft) at higher temperatures, it becomes too soft when it's hot. It's when it gets cold that the BluBird will really outshine it. If you ever have any concerns or suggestions, please write to us as [email protected]. And remember your 10 year warranty

 

[rishavrastogi]

Missed this thread earlier as well...whats the deal with the "Wrapped Rubber" Hose?
http://www.thebluehose.com/blubird_wrapped-rubber-air-hose.htm
The site doesnt really have any good info on how its different then the standard hose?

I'm looking for a 25' 3/8" Hose to use in the shop.

I've been in LOVE with Polyurethane hoses...light, easy to pull around, super flexible even when VERY VERY Cold, field reparable ends.. I'm not a really fan of the Flexzilla, its better then a standard rubber hose but IMHO I prefer the Poly hoses...just wonder how these stack up against that...

Hi. The wrapped finish makes it a little more flexible (better bonding between the layers) and a little more abrasion resistant - especially against scratches and marks. They'll have far less blemishes than other rubber hoses which can sometimes have flat surfaces and some inconsequentially minor marks.
But it's mostly superficial, I'll tell you. Gives it a different look. But then we don't charge a very large premium for it.

You can buy some of what you need from Gazelle! They're right here.

 

[Scimmia]

And remember your 10 year warranty

I'm aware of it, but I doubt it will be good for anywhere near that long. It requires the original receipt, and thermal receipts just don't last.

 

[66HertzClone]

I might be interested in the garden hose, the description for it has many claims and features, there is nothing said about UV resistance.

 

[rishavrastogi]

I'm aware of it, but I doubt it will be good for anywhere near that long. It requires the original receipt, and thermal receipts just don't last.

I didn't realize that. Now that you've mentioned it, we'll have a talk and change that clause. We do lot coding on all hoses anyway, so we'll know when it was made (if not when you picked it up, which is good enough for us).
So, don't worry about that.

 

[rishavrastogi]

I might be interested in the garden hose, the description for it has many claims and features, there is nothing said about UV resistance.

Yes, sir, it does have great UV resistance. The base polymer is EPDM rubber and UV resistance (amongst other resistances that aid outdoor use) is one of its USPs.

 

[aczr2k]

The hose samples are interesting to say the least, they really do hold up to the cold weather claims, very soft and have no memory. The water hose is a dream in the cold compared to any other hose we have had. Both hoses had sat outside the shop in -15 degree weather for a couple of days before I was home to get the packages, after opening them both hoses were nice and flexible even still being frozen from sitting out.

 

[rishavrastogi]

The hose samples are interesting to say the least, they really do hold up to the cold weather claims, very soft and have no memory. The water hose is a dream in the cold compared to any other hose we have had. Both hoses had sat outside the shop in -15 degree weather for a couple of days before I was home to get the packages, after opening them both hoses were nice and flexible even still being frozen from sitting out.

Thank you. We are trying the get the water hoses in as soon as possible.
Will keep the board posted.

 

[Scimmia]

Just got the latest flyer from Menards. These air hoses are back on sale for 14.99 until Feb 22nd. One of the best deals out there.

 

[rishavrastogi]

Thank you for sharing!
Also, the garden hoses are coming soon. Very.

 

[Blake150]

I purchased one of these hoses for my air tools and let me tell you how impressed i am with it. I am a frame/ body tech and there's no other house i would rather have. It has held up to my daily grinding welding and everything else in between like a champ. I was expecting it to at least leak a little bit given the price point but none so far. It's not as sticky as the flex Zola house and that makes a big difference on your hands plus i really like the plastic anti bend piece on the end it just feels so much more durable. If these are still on sale i will be buying another just because i like them so much. Thanks for making a great product at a price a normal person can afford

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I purchased one of these hoses for my air tools and let me tell you how impressed i am with it. I am a frame/ body tech and there's no other house i would rather have.

I'd love to get one, but I'm just not in the mood to chase down somebody to sell me one....
If there were an EASY place to get one like Amazon then I'd probably have one...I'm actually needing a hose, I'll probably just run down to my parker store and have a Parker made up for me...

 

[rishavrastogi]

I'd love to get one, but I'm just not in the mood to chase down somebody to sell me one....
If there were an EASY place to get one like Amazon then I'd probably have one...I'm actually needing a hose, I'll probably just run down to my parker store and have a Parker made up for me...

Hi, Dave. We'd love you to have one as well. We are getting things ready for Amazon. Don't want to launch it half-baked, but it'd be there in a couple weeks.

However, there's Gazelle Marketing selling it online here:
http://www.hoseandfittingsupply.com/product-p/blbrd.htm
"Gazelle Marketing in Minneapolis now has a full inventory of the Blu Bird hose. You can reach me at [email protected] or 612-616-1236. You will love this hose!"

And Menards too sell them online and should deliver:
http://www.menards.com/main/p-2430300.htm?cm_vc=PDPZ1

Very soon Apache Hose and Belting should be having the entire catalog to sell!

I understand these may not be the easiest ways for you, but hey, we just started and it'll still be easier on the wallet and eventually on the body and mind too

 

[rishavrastogi]

I purchased one of these hoses for my air tools and let me tell you how impressed i am with it. I am a frame/ body tech and there's no other house i would rather have. It has held up to my daily grinding welding and everything else in between like a champ. I was expecting it to at least leak a little bit given the price point but none so far. It's not as sticky as the flex Zola house and that makes a big difference on your hands plus i really like the plastic anti bend piece on the end it just feels so much more durable. If these are still on sale i will be buying another just because i like them so much. Thanks for making a great product at a price a normal person can afford

Thank you, Blake. Your words made our day. We'll be having the entire variety soon: water, oil, field-repairable, jackhammer (this one's a beauty), everything. So keep an eye out here!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

However, there's Gazelle Marketing selling it online here:
http://www.hoseandfittingsupply.com/product-p/blbrd.htm
"Gazelle Marketing in Minneapolis now has a full inventory of the Blu Bird hose. You can reach me at [email protected] or 612-616-1236. You will love this hose!"

I checked out the Gazelle site...15.00 shipping and the hose is 13.00

I swear I'm trying Also...are the ends field replaceable?

 

[rishavrastogi]

I checked out the Gazelle site...15.00 shipping and the hose is 13.00

I swear I'm trying Also...are the ends field replaceable?

Hi, Dave. The ones on this particular model are technically not. That's a different BluBird Pro hose that will reach US in the next couple months and is under mass production next week.

 

[Loscaldazar]

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2700963-c-12914.htm

Same price as the crappy HF hose with reel (when it's at it's rarest and lowest sale price)! I want one!

 

[rishavrastogi]

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2700963-c-12914.htm

Same price as the crappy HF hose with reel (when it's at it's rarest and lowest sale price)! I want one!

Ha, I got to know about this from this post that they've put it on shelves / online. Thanks!
P.S. Their prices confound us.

 

[rishavrastogi]

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2700963-c-12914.htm

Same price as the crappy HF hose with reel (when it's at it's rarest and lowest sale price)! I want one!

Also, a couple things about the listing description. The hose reel is a tough and heavy reel. The hose is ultra-light.
And the bend-restrictors are those like on the hoses and not like the one shown in the reel photo which is probably an older one.

We will get the listing corrected but still letting you all know here.

 

[T_Roze]

Beta tester checking in. This has been a long time coming, and I should have had this up way sooner.. Life happens I guess. School, and selling/moving have taken a round out of me!

Anyways, back to the hose. Rishav sent me one of the first beta hoses back in December, around Christmas I believe. First thing I did was admire the packaging. Looked professional in comparison to a lot of the princess auto china garbage I have seem. Props on that.

Once out of the sleeve, I set it outside in the garage to chill out. Literally. We had a few days around -30 Celsius. I used it and was very impressed. It remained very usable, and easy to roll up and manage. I do not have a hose reel, but it manually could be rolled into a foot and half circle very easily at that temperature.

I brought the hose to my work (automotive shop) at the tail end of December, and it has been there ever since. I installed it in my main bay, and use it continually. It has stood up very well over the past two months. Oil resistance is better than I thought for how the hose feels, as it has a slightly chalky kind of feel. It is very easy to manage at room temp, and doesn't kink very easily.

The bend restrictors annoyed me to no end in the beginning, but I have learned to work with them. I am seeing the new hoses will have better ends, which is a good idea. I really don't mind them now, as I grab the hose and support air tools there quite often.

Looking forward to seeing these hoses in Canada soon!

Thanks Rishav!

 

[justme-]

I got a small section of both 3/8 and jackhammer hose right about the end of Jan. Put them in my car and after a weekend brought them to work - left outside since. They are both just cuts - pushing a barb fitting in the air line was a little tougher than a normal air hose, but doable without any special anything. No doubt a dip in hot water would have made things easier, but none the less it was simply not needed and a normal gear hose clamp went on. We're nowhere near -30...despite getting hammered every 3-4 days with 8-18 inches of snow throughout Feb we only got to about -10 on a few nights, averaging 0 for many days. The samples were left outside throughout it... and 3/8 pressurized. Incredible how flexible it remained and didn't leak a bit. My Rubber Amflo stored inside was stiffer indoors than this sample outdoors at single digit temps...and while the rubber stiffened right up in moments at that temp the Bluebird was flawless.

Jack hammer hose is impressive...very well constructed multi layered commercial pressure like...much more robust than the commercial hose we run, not as flexible as the rubber hose we have, but being how old our hose is and how well layered the Bluebird is, I'm not surprised. Temp was meaningless to the hose - left outside as well I checked it almost daily. Let me tell you, if you needed a section of hose to defend yourself, this would be it...

My company (my boss and myself personally as well) believe in supporting local business and domestic companies and do so as much as possible, so when I discussed the hose initially and showed him the samples he was turned off by the COO. Just before the samples arrived our shop outdoor line (pvc) exploded on in 40 degree temps on one of mu guys. I was essentially forced into using our regular channels to get an Amflo rubber line (not doing pvc again) which took far too long to arrive and when it did it's coo is China!
We just ordered another towable compressor for our other location and will be needing hoses for it... My boss and I will be discussing not only hose but the Amflo I got stuck with...I expect to have Bluebird air lines by fall for the shop in and out, and I'm pushing for the jack hammer hose. I'll be in touch via email about prices/availability for Air hammer hose Rishav. Thank you for the samples, the trust, and the product!

 

[rishavrastogi]

Thank you, gentlemen!
Feels great to read it. We're getting all of them very soon. Amazon is not far away too.
Will keep you all posted.

 

[Kirbot]

A few weeks ago I spent the better part of a day reading and researching air hoses looking for the best one.
I ended up with a Flexzilla.

You guys might have the best product in the world, but if nobody knows about it, it won't get you very far. I never even saw mention of it until today.

More advertising is a must, IMO

 

[Farmall450]

If only these were made in America.

 

[n8n]

Replying to subscribe.

Looking for a hose to recommend to my friend who owns a repair shop. He got it with some ancient, pieced together hoses on the reels and I've replaced 2 or 3 of them already with HF hoses. The first one I replaced is already alligatoring badly after a year but he's not willing to splash out for e.g. Goodyear.

I see at least one person is using this professionally, will be interested to hear how it holds up long term.

I think the real killer in his shop is oil; the place is (much) cleaner than it was when he bought it but it still needs a few more top to bottom scrubs before it could be considered close to clean, and in the meantime the oil that seems to get on everything is tearing up his old hoses.

As an aside, would love to have a source for reasonably priced bumpers for hose reels, he's missing one and the others are pretty old and beat, but it seems that the only way you can get one is to buy a complete new reel, and there's no need for that as all of his reels are still working fine...

 

[toolcollector]

Need a few hoses to replace the crappy hose that comes on the Harbor freight reels. With minimal UV exposure, the hoses have cracked to the point of leaking in a year. No Menards near me, so I pay shipping. I also missed the Feb sale. At the current price with shipping I can have my pick of any hose. No deal at Gazalle either. Tempted to replace the entire hose reel for the price Menards is charging. Also really interested in the water hose reel and what the price may be. Closing in on Spring here, so I will have to pick up a couple soon. Wish there was a good deal or beta tester offer on the water hoses for spring. Be glad to test the water hose out and report back if you decide to beta those.

 

[AA/FC]

I bought 14, 50ft rolls of the BluBird air hose last month when Menards had it on sale. 10 rolls went into service professionally, outside, here in Minneapolis. I was the guy who suggested these hoses to the company and the boss agreed, only on my recommendation. We normally use Goodyear yellow rubber air hose... . but at about half the price for the BluBird hose we decided to give it a shot. When we bough the hose last month, we still had minus 25 degree weather here. We left a few rolls outside over night to "test" them and we were very surprised how soft they remained. The only gripe about the hose is the stiff rubber bend restrictor/strain relief on either end of the hose. It wasn't a problem for long though..... Soaked them in hot water for a few minutes and they pulled right off. The other 4 rolls went home with myself and one other co-worker. (not stolen, we paid for them) So far the hose has been great. No problems at all. However, one guy mentioned to me the hose is so soft that it seems to kink easily for him. Oh well, can't have it both ways I guess. lol

 

[Scimmia]

A few weeks ago I spent the better part of a day reading and researching air hoses looking for the best one.
I ended up with a Flexzilla.

You guys might have the best product in the world, but if nobody knows about it, it won't get you very far. I never even saw mention of it until today.

More advertising is a must, IMO

For a product that was just launched last October (with a very small part of the product line), and has only been available regionally, I wouldn't expect a huge campaign.

 

[rishavrastogi]

AA/FC: Thank you. For showing trust. As far as kinking goes, you're right that it comes with the design of the hose. The braiding in the hose helps (over spiralling polyester) but we believe in constant improvement and will fix it (at least to an extent) soon. Also, more feedback is appreciated!

Kirbot: I agree but as Scimmia said, we have just started. As of this moment, the distribution network is being set up. Before April ends, we will have most of our catalog up on Amazon for all in the US to buy.

Toolcollector: Unfortunately, we're done with the beta testing samples (at least for water and air hoses) and I hope you understand that we have to put a limit on it. But as I said, all the hoses will soon be up on Amazon (and brick-n-mortar stores in other areas). The reel at Menards is great price with or without shipping.

Scimmia: Thank you.