Reelcraft Swivel Union

[Roberts210]

I bought a Reelcraft "for parts only" hose reel last year and upon disassembling it I discovered why the seller had listed it that way. I think I only paid $20 for the reel. But the swivel union is badly bent--bent beyond all recognition. Someone really cranked on that reel to screw it up that badly. Anybody ever make up one? I'm thinking the steel pipe is probably soldered into the fittings--it looks that way. Anybody have any experience with these?

This is what they are supposed to look like:

 

[rlitman]

Yeah, I have a few of those reels, and know exactly what you're talking about. My guess is somebody boogered it up when trying to replace a hose. That's how I almost trashed one of mine. You've got to rotate the hose around and around to get the old one off. He probably assumed there was a swivel on the hose end of that U, and trashed it bent to unscrew the hose. In replacing the hose, I put a barb on that end, and used a clamp.

I believe the ends are brazed (at least they looked that way to me last time I looked at it.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks rlitman. I just don't want to pay $45 for a new one if I don't have to.

 

[Roberts210]

I have two of those Reelcraft reels. The second one has what looks like a home-made copper swivel union.

 

[rlitman]

I don't see why you couldn't make something like that up. Yes, it does look home made.

The hose end would just be a 3/8" compression to 1/4FPT.
I think the swivel is also 1/4FPT, and you could screw a brass street elbow into it, and use a compression fitting on that as well.

If you're keeping the swivel part, I see about $10 in parts.

You could also try to unkink the original one. I give you a 1 in 10 shot of being able to do that without cracking, but it's worth a try. I'd use crimping pliers to try to bring it back to round.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks rlitman. I'll probably go the compression route.