Air hose reel options

[Frank Martin]

I use compressed air for my nail guns, etc and have a small oiled Makita compressor. I really like the flexible polyuerathane hose I have, but don't like the inconvenience of use without a reel. So, I started looking into reels.

Here are couple options I have seen:

1- Goodyear:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LQ7WKM/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Many great reviews. I like that this is retractable so I can mount it on the ceiling, out of the way. I don't like the rubber hose though. Of course I can change the hose to flexible polyurethane hose, but not sure if it would work properly with the retraction mechanism. Does anyone have an experience on this?

2- Crispo:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0049GJ5R0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Only two reviews. Not sure how good the quality is. Really like the poly hose, but it is not retractable, so can't mount on the ceiling.

Are there any other options that comes with a quality retractable mechanism and poly hose.

[Erik Christensen]

I have a reel similiar to #1 - works great - I much prefer rubber to poly hose anyway so not sure why you think it better - yah its lighter & self coils but in this application that does not matter - rubber is so much more durable that I use it exclusively - YMMV

[Frank Martin]

I have a reel similiar to #1 - works great - I much prefer rubber to poly hose anyway so not sure why you think it better - yah its lighter & self coils but in this application that does not matter - rubber is so much more durable that I use it exclusively - YMMV

Erik,

I like poly for being light and flexible, which makes using it with nail guns, etc a lot easier. May be I use a shorter whip hose made of poly like those added to HVLP hoses leading to the spray gun.

[Michael Heffernan]

I bought one at Home Depot, similar to this one http://t.homedepot.com/p/BLACK-BULL-50-ft-Retractable-Air-Hose-Reel-with-Auto-Rewind-AHAR50/204489739/ about 12 years ago. Mounted to the ceiling. Use it all the time and have had no issues with it.
Not sure how a poly hose would hold up in a retractable reel. The spring tension is strong and may fatigue a poly hose quickly.

[Mike Henderson]

I bought a reel from Costco years ago, mounted it on the ceiling and it's worked fine. Rubber hose, however.

Mike

[cody michael]

this is what I have http://www.harborfreight.com/retractable-hose-reel-with-50-ft-air-hose-69265.html

I have had it for a year, I don't use it a lot but it works great when I do, I put my compressor upstairs in the attic of my garage with a wireless switch and have this stick mounted to the ceiling underneath, works great

[Brian Henderson]

I have two reels in the ceiling of my shop, both with 50-foot rubber hose and have never had a problem with weight, especially since you only pull out as much hose from the reel as you need and don't have to heft it around with you. I've used poly hose before but given a reel, I agree with others, I'd worry about the springs wearing out the hose too quickly.

[John Coloccia]

this is what I have http://www.harborfreight.com/retractable-hose-reel-with-50-ft-air-hose-69265.html

I have had it for a year, I don't use it a lot but it works great when I do, I put my compressor upstairs in the attic of my garage with a wireless switch and have this stick mounted to the ceiling underneath, works great

I have that same reel, and I've had it about 10 years...and it works as well today as when I got it. I did replace the hose once, but it was still functional. It was just starting to show some wear and cracking of the out sheath, so before I installed it in the new shop, I took the time to replace it when it was easy. It's one of maybe 2 or 3 items that I would actually recommend from Harbor Freight.

I'll bet my two front teeth that the HomeDepot one is identical and from the same manufacturer.

If you really want a more flexible system, I'd highly recommend good rubber for the main hose, and then keep a short leader of flexible hose to attach to the tool. That's a pretty standard way of achieving what you want without sacrificing durability. You can also add swivels to your tools. That makes a bulky hose a lot more manageable. Most of my air tools have swivels on them. I buy mine from aircraft tool suppliers just because that's who I've always gotten them from, and they're pretty high quality and reliable.

[Frank Martin]

Okay, you guys are convincing me to not worry about the hose weight. Seems like when one doesn't have to drag the hose around when used with a reel it seems like a non-issue. Also, looks like I may not need to spend as much as the Goodyear one costs. Will check to see what is available at Costco, I never had a complaint about items I got there.

[Chris Padilla]

Another vote for the HF hose reel. I replaced a Sears Craftsman hose reel. I really really liked the Sears one as it had a mechanism built in that would coil the hose on the spool nice and even. However, the hose leaks on it (at the connection point inside) and I didn't have the nerve to tear into it to replace the hose. So on my HF one, I occasionally have to unreel it and more carefully roll it up otherwise it tends to build on itself and hit the wall due to me not caring how it rolls itself up. :) That is the only annoyance I have with it. Maybe one day I'll fix my Cman.... :)

[Tom M King]

I have one that I bought from Senco 40 years ago that holds 200 feet of 3/8". The leakproof swivel is nothing more than a regular 3/8" female quick disconnect. It's been used countless miles of winding and unwinding hoses. It's never leaked, and I have never replaced that one disconnect that operates as the swivel. It has a handle that just goes over a square lug on the other side.

I have two other small reels that each are holding 50' of 1/4" polyurethane hose. One we keep really clean that is only used in houses someone is living in. They each came from Tractor Supply for less than thirty bucks each. The swivels leaked to start with, so I did away with them and leave enough of a tail sticking out though the hole where the hose used to go to the swivel. To reel and unreel, the hose is quick disconnected from the portable compressor, and the tail winds around the handle side and sticks in the loop that used to hold the hose coming out the side that went to the swivel. Not exactly a one step operating scheme, but otherwise is easy to use for a portable rig.

I expect someone still makes the big reel, and if I needed another stationary one, I'd look for one. It used to be in the back of a step van I had, but now it's on the wall in the shop.

[Myk Rian]

HF here also. Works great.

[Ed Aumiller]

Tractor Supply has one for $80 w/50' rubber hose... works great...

[Patrick Curry]

Brilliant! Don't know why I never thought of moving my compressor above the shop.
Would love to get that monster out of the way. And I'll likely place a HF bet on that reel. Hate the mess from not having one but I also despise the prices generally found on these things. (I don't use air tools regularly)

[John Donhowe]

I'd be concerned about using 1/4" by 100' hose (i.e. Crispo), if you plan on anything more than low demand tools.

[Frank Martin]

I ended up ordering the Goodyear I linked above. For those who may be considering purchasing one of these, L&M Fleet Supply currently has a discount on the Goodyear model at $99 with free shipping compared to $144 on Amazon. Costco has a similar unit too (at a similar total price) but the Goodyear appears better built with arms on both sides of the reel as well as US made hose.

[Larry Edgerton]

My brother has 6 of the #1 in his busy auto repair facility and they have been working well for about twenty years. That is a good price for that unit, in fact I am going to order one for myself.

I too am a big fan of Flexeel hoses, but I just use them as a lead hose, the same could be done in you're shop. In fact when I get my new Goodyear reel I will probably add a 6' whip of flexeel to the end of it. It just makes it a lot easier to get the tool at just the right angle when you are not fighting that weight and stiffness. Where I really love them is when working on ceilings. Seems like there is not any hose there at all.

#2 does not look so good to me, it may be the cats pajamas, but the other design has been around since I was a little whippersnapper.

Thanks for the L&M heads up!

Larry

[Brian Parker]

I got the Jet 426238 3/8-Inch X 50 Air Hose Reel (rubber hose) mounted up to the ceiling. It took a little while to find one that wasn't $300 but the bay paid off and I haven't looked back. Highly recommend it.

[Larry Frank]

I have two hose reels. The one in my garage is like the HF hose reel and is heavy duty on a larger air compressor. In my shop I have a small oil less compressor and have the Grizzly H5683 Hose Reel 1/4" x 33' PVC Casing which is $39. It works great in my shop for nail guns and small cleaning tasks. It is light weight and easy to pull around the shop. I have had it for better than 5 years and no problems.

You should match the hose reel to your air compressor and the type of tools that you will use. The HF hose reel is heavy duty and the hose is heavy. I think it is a little much for just nailers but great for use in the garage with impact wrench and other heavy usage air compressor tools.

[Frank Martin]

Larry, I am planning to do exactly what you are suggesting; adding the flex hose as a lead hose. Great to hear that the Goodyear unit is a proven one, lasting 20 years in a pro environment.

One thing I saw in Amazon reviews is that apparently some units come with excessive use of plumbers goop at the joints blocking the air way. Also, apparently some of them come with lose bolts. I plan to check and address these issues if needed when mine arrives.


My brother has 6 of the #1 in his busy auto repair facility and they have been working well for about twenty years. That is a good price for that unit, in fact I am going to order one for myself.

I too am a big fan of Flexeel hoses, but I just use them as a lead hose, the same could be done in you're shop. In fact when I get my new Goodyear reel I will probably add a 6' whip of flexeel to the end of it. It just makes it a lot easier to get the tool at just the right angle when you are not fighting that weight and stiffness. Where I really love them is when working on ceilings. Seems like there is not any hose there at all.

#2 does not look so good to me, it may be the cats pajamas, but the other design has been around since I was a little whippersnapper.

Thanks for the L&M heads up!

Larry

[Yonak Hawkins]

I have had the Northern Industrial hose reel for 10 years and it has not leaked at all. I find it perfectly functional. $80 : http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_47578_47578

[Steve Peterson]

I have one similar to item #1, except it has a black reel with no advertizing on it. I don't remember where I got it (Lowes, HD, or HF), but it was only around $40 (10 years ago). I think they are available at Lowes for around $50.

I have it hanging below my workbench. The output guide allows you to position it for either a floor mount or a ceiling mount application. It is highly recommended.

Steve