Is it normal that an air hose have plastic threads?

[NewShockerGuy]

I got my order from tool topia today. Very good site (thanks to this site), and I wanted to get some air accessories for my new compressor.

I got a 35' hose since 25 was too small and 50 was way too long.

http://www.tooltopia.com/legacy-hfz...erm=LEGHFZ3835YW2&utm_campaign=googlebase_18u

I got the Flexzilla 3/8 in. x 35 ft. ZillaGreen air hose with 1/4 in. MNPT ends and bend restrictors. My question is all other air hoses I have seen come with metal fittings.. this one is plastic.. so that kinda worries me.

Should I try and rip up the hose and replace with metal barbs?

Other than that the hose seems to be nice, it's super flexible and appears to have no air leaks.

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[Major Ramifications]

Well, it doesn't look like plastic from here, but I'll take your word for it. I've never seen a plastic air hose end like that, but if it is rated to do the job, it will be fine. I mean, unless your hose is rubber, then it too is plastic, so no problem.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

It might be some type of a composite material... but it definitely isn't made of metal like the milton connections or provost that I have sitting beside it so that's what struck me as odd..

I beleive the hose is rubber... It's not hard and stiff like the cheaper hoses they have at the big box stores..

One last question when it's time to change fittings say if I devlope a hole in the line. I would just need 1/4" NPT barb fittings and then it would fit the I.D of 3/8" hose that I have right?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[johnsdeere850j]

You'd have to make sure the barb side of the fitting is 3/8" and the threaded side is 1/4"...they can come in many different configurations but yeah that would be one way to repair the hose...

 

[mrholeshot]

No offence to Flexzilla but I wouldn't hit a hog in the *** with a plastic coupler on an air hose. Plastic may have come a long way but for me no way. I may just be old school in this area.

 

[Daddy_Rabbit]

PEX and PVC will explode killing you and any living carbon-based life form within a 5 mile radius ... but plastic threads/fittings are good to go.

this thread is destined for internet gold!

 

[davesnothere]

No offence to Flexzilla but I wouldn't hit a hog in the *** with a plastic coupler on an air hose. Plastic may have come a long way but for me no way. I may just be old school in this area.

Hahahahaha oh brother, I almost spit out a little beer.

 

[garfunkle24]

Composite and/or non-metallic does not equal plastic....

 

[mrholeshot]

PEX and PVC will explode killing you and any living carbon-based life form within a 5 mile radius ... but plastic threads/fittings are good to go.

this thread is destined for internet gold!

When I first moved into my big shop the previous boat shop that was there had PVC air lines. About a week after I was there and 175psi one of the PVC lines exploded in the ceiling shooting a 3 foot peice of Sch 8 1" PVC through the seat of the golf cart we used for moving cars. It was all copper after that.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Odd, my Flexilla (which is amazing when it hits 0F here) has metal ends. NEver saw one with anything but metal.

 

[mrholeshot]

Hahahahaha oh brother, I almost spit out a little beer.

What can I say, I'm horrorfied

 

[premierplayer]

Looks like Black Oxide coating from here.
I don't think I've seen a hose with plastic or composite ends of any kind.
Even the budget, ****-o stuff has copper/brass ends round here.
Some I've seen have plastic lock rings to bind the barb.

 

[rsanter]

never seen that before
are you sure its not an annodised aluminum, those I have seen

bob

 

[garfunkle24]

From this link I would also guess anodized aluminium:
http://www.legacymfg.com/products/dynamic/details.asp?ModelNumberID=Flexzilla%20Reusable%20Fittings,%20Splicers&displayLink=false

 

[bchee]

I just saw some of this today.
The cardboard package piece says anodized aluminum.

 

[Tatersalad]

I have two of those hoses and the ends are indeed anodized aluminum, even though at first glance I thought they were made of plastic also.

 

[dodge610]

Yep look like plastic but are not I have a 25ft. and a 50 ft. love em especially in the winter they are fantastic and do not leak at all.

 

[bchee]

Here's the packaging I saw. I think it was at Kmart. I like the feel of the hose texture.
Maybe tooltopia didn't ship with the cardboard insert.