Novel idea for whip hoses

[Mike F]

I finally am finishing up soldering all the copper and running electric for my compressor. Since I tend to search and obsess about projects, this one should be no different, right? So as luck would have it there this thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6941 about couplers. Good information there and now I have an answer to the"which coupler" question. There is no answer . Everyone uses a different type coupler. This is no problem unless of course I need to borrow, for example, a friends nailgun. So I came up with an idea based on using a whip hose. I will use a hose barbed fitting to fit into my couplers on one end(I decided to go with Dixon DF series 3/8" body, industrial type)and on the other end of the whip hose put a Milton M type, and make another hose a universal coupler both in 1/4" size. In this way I am using the whip hose as an adapter to allow for different sized and type fittings. It should only cost a few bucks and allow flexibility in the system.

While on the subject of whip hoses, how many guys actually use them? I was thinking of using one for the impact wrench, but don't know if I would need it for ratchets, grinders, etc.

 

[eschoendorff]

I finally am finishing up soldering all the copper and running electric for my compressor. Since I tend to search and obsess about projects, this one should be no different, right? So as luck would have it there this thread http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6941 about couplers. Good information there and now I have an answer to the"which coupler" question. There is no answer . Everyone uses a different type coupler. This is no problem unless of course I need to borrow, for example, a friends nailgun. So I came up with an idea based on using a whip hose. I will use a hose barbed fitting to fit into my couplers on one end(I decided to go with Dixon DF series 3/8" body, industrial type)and on the other end of the whip hose put a Milton M type, and make another hose a universal coupler both in 1/4" size. In this way I am using the whip hose as an adapter to allow for different sized and type fittings. It should only cost a few bucks and allow flexibility in the system.

While on the subject of whip hoses, how many guys actually use them? I was thinking of using one for the impact wrench, but don't know if I would need it for ratchets, grinders, etc.

I use one with any of my air tools. I put an inline oiler on the hose end and have the tool on the other end.

 

[Ign]

I have no idea. What's a whip hose? The self coiling ones?

 

[eschoendorff]

I have no idea. What's a whip hose? The self coiling ones?

No... just a short (2-3 feet) lenth of hose that goes between your main hose and your tool.

 

[bmwpower]

I have no idea. What's a whip hose? The self coiling ones?

It also has a 360 degree swivel joint that helps prevent the hose from getting kinked up.

 

[ThreeBay]

I do exactly the same thing. I have large hi flow fittings in my garage. The shop my son works in uses a smaller fitting. I got tired of him changing my fittings whenever he used one of his tools so I made up and "adapter whip". It even has a different color hose so it is easy to identify. Works great.

 

[wilbilt]

One thing about whip hoses...they can whip when released if not held firmly.

Not usually an issue with small hoses, but it pays to be careful.

We had a large spline-drive impact wrench at the shop for truck and bus lug nuts. It had a 1" hose, with a whip on it that was just long enough to fly up and hit you in the if you weren't careful....

 

[z28toz06]

I have no idea. What's a whip hose? The self coiling ones?

A whip hose is another place to develop an air leak!

 

[Mike F]

So it seems that there is no concensus on this topic either. So use them, some don't. As far as the hose actually whipping and striking you in the face, I suppose a safety cable could be used, but to me it looks like it makes the assembly less user friendly to use.

 

[wilbilt]

So it seems that there is no concensus on this topic either. So use them, some don't. As far as the hose actually whipping and striking you in the face, I suppose a safety cable could be used, but to me it looks like it makes the assembly less user friendly to use.

That's interesting, I've never seen a safety cable setup on a whip hose.

BTW, I wasn't talking about getting hit in the face. With a large heavy tool, it would generally be on the floor when disconnecting the hose, so you would get hit...somewhat lower.

 

[TNToy]

Typcial whip hose: (Snap-on IM2001)...

Features a swivel, and thin, more fexlible 1/4" hose.

I use a whip hose on my 1/4" ratchet, and that's it. Everything else has real swivels on it:

The main idea behind a whip hose is: 1) It gets the coupler away from the work area. When you're using an air ratchet near the paint, it can scratch things... and 2) You use a smaller diameter hose that is thinner, and more flexible... and 3) You install a swivel fitting like this at the tool to get even more flexibility:

With an impact gun, you can't use a smaller diameter hose if you want the most possible torque. And the swivel fitting typically used in whip hoses only moves in about a 30-degree "wobble" .... like a swivel impact socket. That's not enough. When I point my gun straight down, or twist it around in my hand , or set it lying on it's side on my service cart, the hose hangs straight to the floor, since a swivel rotates a fun 3600* in three different planes.

My air hose at work is big, and fairly stiff. But I like it because it's tough (accidentally pinch it or drive over it and there's no bubble or wrinkle in the wall) and it moves a lot of air. Without the swivel, the constant tugging drives me nuts.

So I only use a whip hose where the tool doesn't use too much air, and needs to fit into tight spaces where the thick hose is too limiting.

 

[eschoendorff]

Typcial whip hose: (Snap-on IM2001)...

Features a swivel, and thin, more fexlible 1/4" hose.

I use a whip hose on my 1/4" ratchet, and that's it. Everything else has real swivels on it:

The main idea behind a whip hose is: 1) It gets the coupler away from the work area. When you're using an air ratchet near the paint, it can scratch things... and 2) You use a smaller diameter hose that is thinner, and more flexible... and 3) You install a swivel fitting like this at the tool to get even more flexibility:

With an impact gun, you can't use a smaller diameter hose if you want the most possible torque. And the swivel fitting typically used in whip hoses only moves in about a 30-degree "wobble" .... like a swivel impact socket. That's not enough. When I point my gun straight down, or twist it around in my hand , or set it lying on it's side on my service cart, the hose hangs straight to the floor, since a swivel rotates a fun 3600* in three different planes.

My air hose at work is big, and fairly stiff. But I like it because it's tough (accidentally pinch it or drive over it and there's no bubble or wrinkle in the wall) and it moves a lot of air. Without the swivel, the constant tugging drives me nuts.

So I only use a whip hose where the tool doesn't use too much air, and needs to fit into tight spaces where the thick hose is too limiting.

Hey TNT...

I was looking a a couple of my "real" swivels today and noticed tha they are reall small-bored inside. Can you maybe post a pic of the inner diameter of one of your MAtcos?

 

[TNToy]

Sure. I've got an unopened Matco in my box, so I won't even have to take it off the gun... I'll try to remember to bring my digi-cam to work on Monday.

My plan from the start has been to swap the swivel for a standard straight fitting on my Nitrocat when I found something I couldn't remove with it, and see if that made a difference. If nothing else, the various twists & turns have to be somewhat restricting, even if the I.D. was the same.

Unfortunately, I haven't encountered anything it won't remove yet.

 

[Morrisman]

I've found with whip hoses that you can inadvertently disconnect if you drag your coupler over an edge or corner, and the loose end always flicks back and hits you somewhere sensitive.