First Time Poster - New to Forum

[quidger]

Hey to All.

My brother-in-law told me about this site. He says it's the best with a lot of knowledgeable guys.

I bought my first larger compressor (at least large by my standards) and now I have some hook up questions that I hope I can get some help with. Up until now I've been using a small Craftsman 2 hp oil-less compressor that isn't cutting the mustard any more.

New compressor is I-R 5 hp / 60 gallon. Outlet is 1/2". I am installing a Milton 1/2' filter/regulator combo.

I am going to buy a new 50' retractable reel hose and I'm not sure if I should get a 3/8" or a 1/2". Is there a big difference in the performance and would the size of the hose have a major impact on what I am using the compressor for.

My main use will be weekend hobby type stuff - painting, tool operation, some bead blasting of small part, etc.

These hoses are pricey so I want to make sure I get the right thing on the first go round.

Thanks for any input.

 

[woody 73]

Hi and welcome to the GJ...

Say I will tell you a little secret but don't tell anyone are little secret... Some of The air hoses at Harbor freight are made in the USA and they are top notch just what the Doctor ordered!

Welcome aboard.

woody

 

[bibman]

The addiction now starts...

 

[Packard V8]

Welcome!

Life is about tradeoffs: Yes, 1/2" costs more and is more of a hassle to pull out and roll up, but at the end of a 50' run your tools will have more oomph with the 1/2".

jack vines

 

[Squankum]

Yes, welcome to GJ! After you buy a bunch of Milton and Goodyear stuff for that compressor set up, we'll be convincing you to buy Knipex pliers, Aircat air tools, Snap On ratchets, Blue Point this and that, a nice Wright ratchet from Harry Epstein's, some nice Taiwanese hand tools that are very nice for the price, etc etc. Start saving up now!

 

[bobcatdan]

Welcome to the board. Are you hooking the hose right to the compressor or are you running some hard line first? For what you can run with a 60 gallon, 3/8 hose will be fine for a weekend warrior. If you are plumbing some lines, go at least 1/2" if not 3/4", it will add extra air storage.

 

[teletekman]

Welcome from this recent newbie as well!

 

[Squankum]

Oh, and Grey Pneumatic impact sockets! All the kewl kids are getting them!

Ditto on the 3/8" hoses. Northern Tool or Harbor Freight (HF) are popular sources for Goodyear. Real Goodyear hose has a logo which is GOOD (winged foot logo) YEAR, not the word GOODYEAR. I heard some guy in FL is selling counterfeit stuff on amazon.

 

[quidger]

Welcome to the board. Are you hooking the hose right to the compressor or are you running some hard line first? For what you can run with a 60 gallon, 3/8 hose will be fine for a weekend warrior. If you are plumbing some lines, go at least 1/2" if not 3/4", it will add extra air storage.

Thanks for all the great responses. I can see that the compressor was the inexpensive part of the "habit". The tools, accessories and add-ons are where the real money starts to come in to play.

One of the guys asked if I had hard lines or if I am running a hose directly out of the compressor. I have a 6' 1/2 inch connection hose to the regulator/filter and then I'm running the main hose out of the 1/2" female of the filter/regulator.

 

[Squankum]

Check out this guy's pic!

I started the thread, but this poster "won." I copied his. Someday I'll show the world my work, but really, DWM's picture says it all.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1760093&postcount=6

EDIT!

I take that back. Just skimmed the thread. DWM also posts a great schematic of what parts he used to make that water trap & what not.

Entire thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1760093#post1760093

 

[pdxgearhead]

Welcome Quidger,
I have run both 1/2" and 3/8" hose. Without a doubt, your tools will hit harder with the 1/2" hose. However, I found the 1/2" hose and huge couplers very bulky and hard to fit in tighter spots. If you're working on FWD vehicles, it's all about clearence.

Now that I have a 3/4 ton truck, I might just go back to the 1/2".