Selecting the right aire hose reel

[jjscott]

I’m getting ready to purchase an air hose reel for my garage and I’m trying to decide if I should go with a reel that has 1/2” or 1/4” connectors. I have 3/4” lines plumbed from the compressor to each outlet in the garage and they tie into a 1/2” ported block where the connection is made to air hose coupler. The air hose coupler is 1/4” as is hose fitting, but the hose itself is 3/8”.

Goodyear makes a nice hose reel that comes with either a 3/8” or 1/2” hose. There are two fitted connections on the 3/8” hose reel that are 1/4". The same two connections on the 1/2" hose reel are 1/2".

Will it really make a difference if I choose the reel with the 1/4" connections since my existing air hose coupler and air hose end fittings are also 1/4"? I’d rather not spend the extra money on the 1/2" hose reel if I’m not going to notice a difference in performance from what I have today.

 

[dave67fd]

Unless you using it for extreme CFM requirements, The 3/8 hose with 1/4" connectors is all you will need. The 1/2" is probably overkill especially if it is already connected to a 1/4" feed regardless of what your supply line size is.

I'm using the 3/8 line and it's more than adequate for my needs.

 

[600SL]

concur 3/8" hose with 1/4" connector. Although I do use a 1/2" QD where the real attaches to the line. I also have a 1/2" QD on the line and a short 1/2" hose for those rare occasions when I need to bring out the heavy artillery.

But for my hose reals keep it light and flexible.

 

[jjscott]

Re: Selecting the right air hose reel

concur 3/8" hose with 1/4" connector. Although I do use a 1/2" QD where the real attaches to the line. I also have a 1/2" QD on the line and a short 1/2" hose for those rare occasions when I need to bring out the heavy artillery.

But for my hose reals keep it light and flexible.

I have a question about using a 1/2" connectors on the reel and hose. Both my impact gun and cutoff wheel have 1/4" connectors from the mfg. If that's the case, how would a 1/2" hose help me? Isn't the system limited by the smallest diameter connector anywhere in the system, including the tool?

Thanks

 

[gipraw]

The Goodyear reel is on tools.woot today for $110.

 

[msgross]

I bought the hand crank reel and goodyear hose from Harbor Frieght...works great

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have one 25' 3/8" reel form Costco for $35.00 & one 50" 3/8" reel from Harbor Freight. The HF reel goes on sale frequently for under $70.00. General consensus is the reel is good, but the hose could be better. Both of mine have worked flawlessly for me for years.

Tommy

 

[csp]

Re: Selecting the right air hose reel

I have a question about using a 1/2" connectors on the reel and hose. Both my impact gun and cutoff wheel have 1/4" connectors from the mfg. If that's the case, how would a 1/2" hose help me? Isn't the system limited by the smallest diameter connector anywhere in the system, including the tool?

Not necessarily. There's friction in the line throughout the entire length of the line. The larger the diameter of the line throughout it's length, the less friction there is.

Yes the 1/4" connector is a choke point, but there's not much length to that choke point.

 

[Gearhead00]

http://www.costco.com/Primefit-Air-Hose-Reel-.product.11758469.html

This is the 50' 3/8" version on Costco for $90

 

[Falcon67]

I use a 3/8 hose on a HF reel bought on a sale/coupon. Less than $60 as I recall. Note that the HF hose is good for maybe 2 years. I replaced it this spring with a Kobalt rubber hose from Lowes. So still well under $100 for the combo. It is fed from a 1/2" line (all mine are 1/2" iron) and has plenty of volume for anything. I would not use it for painting a car or anything like that. My blast cabinet uses a 10' 1/4" hose jumper from the wall to the unit. That has plenty of volume to run the blaster.

 

[Fastfish]

Just got the goodyear reel from Northern.. Haven't installed yet. But I liked that one because the hose fairlead (rollers) were supported on both sides. Most of the others only one side.

 

[TK LP]

The Goodyear reel is on tools.woot today for $110.

Thanks for that, I need another one for paint.