Retractable Air Hose Reel: Mount from Ceiling or Wall?

[HotRodHudson]

I'm working on the placement and subsequent install of a HF air hose reel. I'd like to know of any Up or Down sides to mounting on the ceiling or wall? Initially looking at mounting from the ceiling in my "L shaped garage at the 90 degree corner to get greatest access across the entire garage. Only possible issue is the 2x4 trusses above. If I do mount to the ceiling I was thinking of using a 2x10 across 2 or 3 of the 24" on center trusses from the top side (attic stairs make access easy). Then come down thru the 2x10 & ceiling to attach the reel. Ideally attaching two bolts on each side of one of the above trusses for support behind the drywall.

Thoughts?

 

[Rossco]

Hang it on the wall. That way you can create drops & traps.

 

[rayra]

sounds like overbuilding the mounting to me, but no real harm in that. Bigger issue is where to mount it so you aren't dragging the hose across things. Inside corner of your 'L'-shaped space sounds like a good idea. Just depends on how you have your junk arranged.

 

[ryolse]

I like and prefer my auto retractable air and electrical cord from the ceiling between the 2 cars. It's just been easier and seems more convenient then when I had the hose on a wall.

I'm not sure I saw, but is yours a auto retractable or manual?

 

[Richard Cranium]

I am mounting mine between my two garage doors.

 

[Marcm157]

I am mounting mine between my two garage doors.

This seems the most logical to me. I have 13 foot ceilings so the wall is how I would go and between my doors makes a lot of sense.

 

[Rossco]

if you mount it lower than the main line. You can trap water before it hits the reel. Also easier to mount 'Point of use' regulator and filters.

 

[HotRodHudson]

Ok, here's a photo of the garage . Ignore all my **** everywhere! Basically 3 car in front with 2 behind.

Right of the attic stairs / left & above the black kobalt air compressor was roughly where I had thought of for the air reel. I like the idea of another between the garage doors so that would be a good "future addition" I will have to look seriously at doing.

I'd like to move the compressor outside in a shed in the future but for now it's ok where it's at. I do tend to overthink things.... Which is why I am glad I ask you guys. Most likely someone has already done this too!

 

[RedRider48]

Mine was on the center ceiling beam between the two parking spaces. When I enlarged my garage. I moved it to the center wall between my dbl. garage doors. Thus far, has been a good location.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have all my reels ceiling mounted and they work pretty well like that. One air hose, two cord reels for power, one cord reel for pendant control for the scissor lift.

 

[justsam]

Mount it such that the hose output is facing in the direction that the hose will be deployed. Makes it easier when you just need a little more hose.

I keep a mechanics rag near my hose reel so that each time I reel it back iin I run the rag over the hose as it retracts. Keeps **** out of the reel mechanism and any other dirt or grease that the hose may have picked up while deployed.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Mount it such that the hose output is facing in the direction that the hose will be deployed. Makes it easier when you just need a little more hose.

I keep a mechanics rag near my hose reel so that each time I reel it back iin I run the rag over the hose as it retracts. Keeps **** out of the reel mechanism and any other dirt or grease that the hose may have picked up while deployed.

^^^THIS^^^

Tommy

 

[Chevy-SS]

Mount it such that the hose output is facing in the direction that the hose will be deployed. Makes it easier when you just need a little more hose.

I keep a mechanics rag near my hose reel so that each time I reel it back iin I run the rag over the hose as it retracts. Keeps **** out of the reel mechanism and any other dirt or grease that the hose may have picked up while deployed.

Yep, this is the way I have mine mounted too. I also use rag, sometimes, LOL.

I have the HF reel and it comes apart real easy, so you can get it mounted and aligned just how you need it. It works great.

I need to get one for electrical cord now.

 

[nh_yota]

If you're going to go with one hose reel I'd mount it high on that corner on the inside of the "L", that way it will reach anywhere in the garage easily.

 

[tarmy]

View attachment 545327

I have 250' on this real to reach outside and around the front for outdoor projects...the reel next to it is vacuum hose to reach around shop and outside as well to clean cars too. It is attached to a remote control whole house 1 hp vac.

 

[sberry]

The op could stick it right on top of that hoist post for now too. In some sense the closer it is to the big doors the more area it covers and will reach out the door which is nice for tire air.
Small garages can be as hard as bigger ones to make it super convenient due to the layouts. It doesn't always need to be a reel, a guy can use a T and put a whip on bench etc or even hang it from the ceiling.
Due to space and the fact you got mounting hi and out of the way is good in this garage. For a reel down on a wall at user height I would just as soon have a manual.

 

[sberry]

It needs a swivel on the L in the first pic. I have 5 reels but 2 I really use daily and 2 in my paint booth so to speak but all but 1 has a swing on the base, so much easier when it turns.
This covers some shop and swings to the outside in the summer when I work on the apron.

 

[HotRodHudson]

Thank you all for such great info! Oh, and yes I fight with that dang garage bulb on a weekly basis. Every chamberlain opener I've had for the last 15+ years has had issues with one or both bulbs....ugh!

SBerry, I was actually thinking of a swivel bracket too and found this on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JVXR38E/ref=psd_mlt_nbc_B002C95NQ8_p

 

[Dragfluid]

" install of a HF air hose reel"

Install it where it will be easily accessible for when you have to repair/replace it, maybe?

 

[ford33]

I mounted my air reel near the center of the garage on the ceiling. The reel is mounted to a 3/4 inch thick sheet of plywood roughly 18 x 18 inches square. The plywood spans two joists with lag bolts to secure it. It's been up for about 5 years with no issue. Paint the plywood to match the ceiling color.

 

[larry4406]

I mounted mine to the ceiling. I beveled the edges of a 2x10 for appearance, ran carriage bolts thru from the back side to bolt the reel, then lag bolted thru from the front into the trusses above (drilled a pilot hole in truss to prevent split).

I mounted a unit near the garage door and another interior to the bay. Sloped the piping backwards against the flow. I ran copper because that is what I had. Used pipe supports.

 

[ScottsGT]

I mounted mine between the garage doors. And since I have low ceilings, I cut out the Sheetrock, built in bracing at the top and then lined the pocket with more Sheetrock to seal up everything. Couldn't go above the above floor joists since my bed is sitting there.

 

[chrispyny]

Put my cox reels air hose and electric between both doors on the cieling in the center of the garage last winter when i redid my garage. No regrets over a year later.

 

[sberry]

Yes, that bracket looks great. Turn it 90 degrees. I have an old pic I am always hesitant about using but I even have a couple legacy retractors with hard hose and they work good in a warm garage and have an ideal mounting bracket that turns.
I made one from a chair base too, ok, could be improved but it can be a fussy thing to make. If a guy could buy something reasonable all the better.
1st pic recent or somewhat recent and has been modified slightly, last 2 older and have been moved or revised. All my air has went thru at least one remodel since I started.
The line that feeds the first 2 is regulated to operating pressure and the little filter reg to the top reel is for paint guns.