Need Input On Air Hose Size

[HemiRamOn22s]

I'm looking for some input on what size air hose reels i should use in my new shop. I've already installed the M7500 3/4" Maxline kit w/ 3 Drops in my 40'x80' shop. The install went great. Im going to pick up a Quincy 80 gallon Vertical Air Compressor (17.7 CFM @ 90 PSI) controlled by a RapidAir 3/4" Filter/Regulator set at 90 PSI. I've done one drop in the rear of the shop by my compressor and work bench, one in the welding shop, and one by the garage doors in the front. I used exactly 100' of Maxline. The outlet size on the distribution blocks is 1/2" NPT.

Im torn between getting 1/2" Hose reels and 3/8" hose reels. Almost all of my air tools are 1/4" NPT and I plan on running high flow 1/4" V Style Air Fittings. But if i ever did pick up a 3/4" or a 1" impact is the 3/8" hose going to give me enougth air flow? Should I at least pick up one 1/2" hose reel and leave the rest 3/8"? All 3/8" or all 1/2" hose reels? What is everyone else running?

The hard part is finding a true 1/2" NPT whip hose to go from the D-box to the hose reel itsself. I would have to have something custom made. Im trying my best to have the maximum flow possible at all of my air tools. Here are a couple pictures of my Maxline install. The link to my build is in my signature.

Thanks in advance!

 

[larry_g]

If you want max flow at all air tools then why are you regulating the system to 90psi? In my shop I have 3/8" hose reels and if I need I have a 1/2" hose setup coiled at ready for the rare times I need it. Unless your working on heavy equipment a lot then 3/8" will do. I only have the big stuff out on the rare occasion I have to work on the cat or excavator.

I run the piping at tank, 110-150 psi, pressure and regulate down at point of use as necessary.,

lg
no neat sig line

 

[HemiRamOn22s]

If you want max flow at all air tools then why are you regulating the system to 90psi? In my shop I have 3/8" hose reels and if I need I have a 1/2" hose setup coiled at ready for the rare times I need it. Unless your working on heavy equipment a lot then 3/8" will do. I only have the big stuff out on the rare occasion I have to work on the cat or excavator.

I run the piping at tank, 110-150 psi, pressure and regulate down at point of use as necessary.,

lg
no neat sig line

Most of my tools are only rated at 90-100 psi. Alot of guys run their systems wide open not realizing its tearing up their tools. I can turn it up to 175 PSI if necessary for larger tools. I work on heavy equiptment and tractor trailers but ill rarely have them at my house. My main shop can accomadate the larger machines and trucks. I plan on upgrading my airlines there as well so all of the input is appreciated.

 

[md21722]

The thing is, they are rated 90-100 psi WORKING pressure. You are going to drop 20-30 psi as soon as you pull the trigger on your impact, so the regulator needs to be set 110-120. But a die grinder may only drop 15.... so I regulate at point of use. Expect a 3/4" impact to drop significantly since they flow about 2X what a 1/2" impact will...

 

[HemiRamOn22s]

The thing is, they are rated 90-100 psi WORKING pressure. You are going to drop 20-30 psi as soon as you pull the trigger on your impact, so the regulator needs to be set 110-120. But a die grinder may only drop 15.... so I regulate at point of use. Expect a 3/4" impact to drop significantly since they flow about 2X what a 1/2" impact will...

Yes this is true. This is my first regulated setup so i appreciate all of the information. I run the setup in my other shop wide open and ive torn up a few air tools this way. I also didnt put water drains in and its resulted in problems. Garage Journal has been a great source of information.

 

[mike13u]

I have two 3/8" hose reels in a professional shop and I just added a 1/2" and I hate it. Its too big and a pain in the *** to drag around. 1/2" is fine for whip hoses to machines but dragging it off the reel and around the shop *****.

 

[AA/FC]

I don't think it's possible to have too much air volume, but it IS possible to not have enough. If you need to have custom 1/2" whips made to connect your hose reels, I say go for it. Your local hydraulic shop can easily make these.... even some parts stores are equipped with basic hydraulic hose, fittings, and crimper.

 

[dutchgray]

3/8" is fine, if you get a 3/4" or 1" impact then buy a coil of 1/2 for it as short as you can get away with, no need for a reel, just bung it in where the impact lives.

 

[mike13u]

You dont need to have anything custom made. Plenty of 1/2" whips, lines, couplers and reducers available. I like Legacy brand Flexzilla hose and they sell a 1/2" whip on Amazon,. If you are looking for the whip from compressor to wall and you have a large compressor (3/4" outlet) and are running 3/4" lines look on Amazon for a stainless braided hose assembly: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006W11ZPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[HemiRamOn22s]

I have two 3/8" hose reels in a professional shop and I just added a 1/2" and I hate it. Its too big and a pain in the *** to drag around. 1/2" is fine for whip hoses to machines but dragging it off the reel and around the shop *****.

Im thinking ill be fine too if i run the high flow V style air fitting. Looking at the specs of most high end 3/4" impacts it will provide ample airflow.

I don't think it's possible to have too much air volume, but it IS possible to not have enough. If you need to have custom 1/2" whips made to connect your hose reels, I say go for it. Your local hydraulic shop can easily make these.... even some parts stores are equipped with basic hydraulic hose, fittings, and crimper.

Yea i can have them made. Same guy i got my last compressor from makes them.

3/8" is fine, if you get a 3/4" or 1" impact then buy a coil of 1/2 for it as short as you can get away with, no need for a reel, just bung it in where the impact lives.

Thats a good idea. I could put a quick disconnect at one of the stations to change out hoses.

You dont need to have anything custom made. Plenty of 1/2" whips, lines, couplers and reducers available. I like Legacy brand Flexzilla hose and they sell a 1/2" whip on Amazon,. If you are looking for the whip from compressor to wall and you have a large compressor (3/4" outlet) and are running 3/4" lines look on Amazon for a stainless braided hose assembly: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006W11ZPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got most of my stuff from Northern Tool. I've found a 3/4" whip already and the regulator i picked up is 3/4" in and out. Ill pick up a few fittings at the hardware store to tie the regulator to the maxline.

 

[thejudges69]

I'm actually in this same stage of my shop.

I was thinking all ½" but noticed the fitting reduce to ⅜" so all the line will do is hold more volume.

So for some of the other members, and for the OP.

Would you say ⅜" hose with ⅜" ends? And also for fitting and quick couplers would you think ⅜ for those as well?

Seems to me that would be the best flowing setup.

I'm going with 1, ½" air line for my ¾" impact for that once in a while deal.

 

[larry_g]

I'm actually in this same stage of my shop.

I was thinking all ½" but noticed the fitting reduce to ⅜" so all the line will do is hold more volume.

So for some of the other members, and for the OP.

Would you say ⅜" hose with ⅜" ends? And also for fitting and quick couplers would you think ⅜ for those as well?

Seems to me that would be the best flowing setup.

I'm going with 1, ½" air line for my ¾" impact for that once in a while deal.

Line loss is a factor of diameter and length. The longer the line the more loss. The smaller the diameter the more velocity to deliver the same amount of air. The higher velocity air looses more energy. Just like trying to make a car faster, there comes a point where HP= wind resistance and you cannot go faster. That is why the larger line is preferable for the distribution and then smaller at the wip.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ovrrdrive]

Yes this is true. This is my first regulated setup so i appreciate all of the information. I run the setup in my other shop wide open and ive torn up a few air tools this way. I also didnt put water drains in and its resulted in problems. Garage Journal has been a great source of information.

Regulate the drops, run the main lines wide open.

 

[thejudges69]

We have always run our lines wide open and never had an issue. It seems sometimes that extra air is really needed. However I was never aware of high flow fittings. will that really make a big difference??

 

[DerekV]

We have always run our lines wide open and never had an issue. It seems sometimes that extra air is really needed. However I was never aware of high flow fittings. will that really make a big difference??

Huge, you'll be surprised.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Most of my tools are only rated at 90-100 psi. Alot of guys run their systems wide open not realizing its tearing up their tools. I can turn it up to 175 PSI if necessary for larger tools.

It is VOLUME that gets the work done ! If you think you are going to be purchasing 3/4" or larger impacts you have choices.

1. Run your system at 175 psi and regulate it as close to the tool as practical
2. Run the system at a lower pressure (100-125 psi) and use larger pipe, hose and couplings

With #1, you still need larger hoses/coupler from the regulator to the high volume tool.

 

[sberry]

Hi flow fittings help if they are actually needed. 3/8 is standard and leave a spot open if you really do need to connect a section of 1/2

I don't think it's possible to have too much air volume, but it IS possible to not have enough

The goal here is not to waste as much air as you can but to get the work done. This is an advantage of a good comp, one can turn it up a little if there are drop issues, when its on single stage there isn't enough head room for this and it seems to be a regular sport to upsize every line and fitting, trying to squeeze every drop to make up for the comp.
Sounds like the OP has some experience and some idea of the use if not the actual demand but this is grossly over exaggerated by many asking here, they do not have a realistic estimation of their true demand. It starts with impacting a couple car wheels off and ends up with the opinion they need the demands of a truck service center. 130-135 in to a regulator to get 90 for a 1/2 gun down 50 ft of 3/8 which is the system we use. The need for 1/2 is so rare for us we have a section hanging on the wall, use as needed.

 

[sberry]

Yes, run it too low **** fittings add to a problem but mechanics shops and men worked for decades with standard fittings, one of the main reasons was they were working from 2 stage systems. The advent and proliferation of the cheap compressor has put focus on loss that are rather minimal compared to hose length but were overcome in routine work by turning a couple pounds up.
I have done this both ways and do not notice any real difference provided the supply is adequate and the tool is working, I used hi flow, my Buds used automotive, they both worked.

 

[sberry]

So for some of the other members, and for the OP.

Would you say ⅜" hose with ⅜" ends? And also for fitting and quick couplers would you think ⅜ for those as well?

Seems to me that would be the best flowing setup.

3/8 hose with the ends that come on it.

I'm going with 1, ½" air line for my ¾" impact for that once in a while deal

 

[sberry]

We have always run our lines wide open and never had an issue. It seems sometimes that extra air is really needed. However I was never aware of high flow fittings. will that really make a big difference??

Think about this. Assume there was a problem with the brake system on the truck and you are not sure why so you read a post from someone who learned everything they know about it from one pressure drop chart and decided that the problem must be that the fools that designed the hose size didn't know what theyb were doing and it should all be inch on this truck.
The truck ran fine for years but today there is a problem,,, that must be it.
Shop air with limited users, often on3e at a time is slightly different but,,,,,,,,,,,, don't panic.
You are a guy needs some hose for a larger gun for wheel work, this takes a bigger fitting, th3e 1/2 doesn't, the die grinder doesn't and neither does the paint gun. It only needs it when it needs it, your truck has a lot of power but you don't drive wide open everywhere.
On some systems over size pipe causes problems. Water systems are one place where the supply can b3e limited by incoming service or well size. If we notice the city doesn't leave 2 inch feeds to residential houses and sinks have supply tubes to CREATE friction to slow pressure drop on the rest of the system and reducee waste, and with the advent of low flow fixture the samre pipe that was marginal 20 yrs ago for 1 can serve 3 in some cases, there is no point in running 3/4 to the dink and tapping it with a 1/4 tube so "I can get more water". Silcock's for outdoor are purposely limited for residential so it doesn't drop the whole system pressure when someone turns a hose on.
In my case I am tank filling on occasion, have a 3 hp well with 1 1/4 piping, can turn a 3/4 wide open and maintain 45# but on the sink circuit still use the standard fixtures with supply tubes.

 

[sberry]

You can fill a truck tire about as fast with 3 hp as 10 and problematic with a 5 hp if its single stage.