Compressor & Air Hose Question

[astrohip]

I have no experience in air hoses, so I ask from inexperience...

I have a small pancake-style air compressor, a Porter-Cable 6 gal, 150psi electric. Works great for what I use it for, mostly tires (cars, trailers, tractors, etc). I keep it in my barn, and lug it around where I need it. Between an extension cord and those typical yellow coiled hoses, I can get air where I need it. But...

It's a PITA lugging it around. I was wondering whether those wall-mounted retractable air hose reels would work with a compressor as small as mine? I'm used to seeing hose reels used with larger, more commercial-type compressors. A 50' hose, which seems to be the standard (at least in my Northern catalog) would reach 99% of what I do.

Assuming it would work, I could build a small stand for my compressor next to an outlet, mount the reel above it, and use the yellow coiled hose to connect the two. Or do hose reels come with a connecting hose, like wall-mounted extension cords do?

And again, assuming it works, any suggestions for hose reels? I prefer to spend a little more and get equipment that lasts, rather than save a buck and be unhappy in a couple years.

Thanks for any advice and feedback!

 

[AllDodge]

Air is air, the size is the only thing that changes. Adding a hose reel is of no issue other then the hose will also fill with air before it shuts off (becomes part of the tank capacity). The small diameter hose just reduces the amount of air which can be supplied, its a restriction due to small size

 

[EddieWalker]

Yes, it would work.

I don't have one, it's too much money for me to spend. I have two 100 foot hoses on a garden hose hanger outside my shop, and a soft, super flexible 50 foot hose on a harden hose hanger inside my shop. I store my extension cords the same way. I have a T on my compressor so one hose is inside, and one of the 100 foot hoses is outside. It goes through my wall. I can easily get to something 250 feet away with all of my hoses, which I've only had to do once. Usually I can get my tractor close enough to my shop to use just the 100 foot hose. Those 100 foot hoses are 30 years old and they do not seem to be affected in any way from staying outside.

 

[astrohip]

Thanks all, for the feedback.

The small diameter hose just reduces the amount of air which can be supplied, its a restriction due to small size

Are the hoses used with reels typically any smaller than the yellow coiled one I use? I'm happy with how fast it works.

I don't have one, it's too much money for me to spend.

When you refer to cost, you mean the retractable reel, as versus just a hose? I haven't compared the two yet.

 

[newbury]

I have no experience in air hoses, so I ask from inexperience...
<snip>
It's a PITA lugging it around. I was wondering whether those wall-mounted retractable air hose reels would work with a compressor as small as mine? I'm used to seeing hose reels used with larger, more commercial-type compressors. A 50' hose, which seems to be the standard (at least in my Northern catalog) would reach 99% of what I do.

<snip>

If a 50' hose would reach 99% of what you do why not just get another section of the coiled hose?

I've a MAC 2400 (Makita), when I bought it about 20 years ago it was very portable, I'd carry it upstairs, outside etc. It's become heavier so I bought another 25' section of 1/4" Coiled Polyurethane Air Hose (HF $7). Now I can usually leave the MAC 2400 in place and stretch the 2 hoses. Stretch it out to the driveway for tires, upstairs for nailing, downstairs for stapling. I don't think it will take any VOLUME and probably couldn't run my 1/2" impact wrench very well but works well for the small stuff.

Now I've got bigger compressors and bigger tools and use bigger air hoses, but for the small stuff the commercial type hoses are not needed.

 

[Bird]

I've always been partial to quick connectors, so I have a 30 gallon compressor in my shop, leave a 50' air hose and very short blow gun hooked up all the time, with the hose coiled on a garden hose hangar on the end of the workbench, as Eddi does, but I have 2 more hoses with quick couplers. So I can reach anywhere on the premises without ever moving the compressor.

 

[Raspy]

The hose reel is very convenient. I have one next to the shop door. It connects to a 30 gallon compressor under the bench that I switch on if I need air. If I have to reach out farther I have several sections of 50' hose that can quick connect to a tee on the compressor. I can select from full pressure or regulated pressure by plugging the hose into the selected quick-connect fitting. But the hose reel is always connected and the compressor doesn't get moved around.

I also have a couple of smaller compressors that I can carry to another spot if needed.

The best way to connect the reel system to the compressor is to have it feed through a ball valve that can be shut off if there is a leak, or for service. This tees off just past the regulator and does not need a quick disconnect if your compressor will sit there permanently. The best hose to feed the reel is a short length of hydraulic hose with a 1/2" pipe thread fitting on each end. These can sit under pressure for years without cracking. The little yellow coiled hoses are simply for portable use, filling a tire and then putting it away or using a blowgun at the workbench.

 

[AllDodge]

Are the hoses used with reels typically any smaller than the yellow coiled one I use? I'm happy with how fast it works.

The reel hoses are larger diameter, the yellow coiled ones are smaller, so you get more flow with rubber hose. I have a hose reel and 4 other hoses which I coil and hang, and I use the reel quite often.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a reel that came with really junky off-shore hose. It failed within a year and Princess Auto replaced it. Save yourself the bother, go with a US made hose.

It's great to have a reel if you use air often. I am thinking about getting electrical cord reels too. I unwind and windup an extension cord way too often.

 

[Diggin It]

When you refer to cost, you mean the retractable reel, as versus just a hose? I haven't compared the two yet.

Do so. You'll find you can get a decent quality 50' piece of hose for $20 or less while the reel units are usually closer to $75.