Pneumatic Hose Reels?

[Steve Mathews]

I'm installing compressed air piping in my shop and thought of using hose reels overhead instead of wall mounting. Seems like having them overhead in various central locations would be more convenient. One would be over top of my work bench, which is in the center of a U-shaped work bench top area. The other would be centrally located between my Bridgeport mill, metal lathe and surface grinder. A few others might be installed near my table saw, wood lathe, etc. Anyone else find overhead hose reels more convenient than wall mounted stations? Any recommendations for a good 25' hose reel would be appreciated.

[Michael J Evans]

If you want industrial grade USA made reel either coxreels or reelcraft are both very good, but not though. I think a coxreel 3/8x25 reel is a P-LP-325.

[Ira Matheny]

I installed three overhead reels for air in my 1800 sq ft shop. They were great. Wish I had installed several more. Also installed 4 electric power reels, [110].
In my new, but significantly smaller shop, I have 2 overhead electrical, one air.

[Mel Fulks]

Steve, I’m sure the reels work. But I’ve used some that were so efficient that they wanted to keep the hose rolled up all the time ! The air
will go thru just fine without tension on the hose....and I won’t tolerate “tug of war” when I’m working.
I prefer a large hook 6 or 7 feet up for neat and quick “loop-ups”.

[johnny means]

I haven't worked with drop lines in a while, but it was super convenient and added a little safety (I'm clumsy). Dealing with the ratcheting mechs will become automatic in no time.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I haven't worked with drop lines in a while, but it was super convenient and added a little safety (I'm clumsy). Dealing with the ratcheting mechs will become automatic in no time.


From overhead, I prefer drops using Coil Hose Pneumatic coiled hoses. Sure they cost more than the cheap yellow ones, but this is what industry uses everyday.

[Steve Mathews]

From overhead, I prefer drops using Coil Hose Pneumatic coiled hoses. Sure they cost more than the cheap yellow ones, but this is what industry uses everyday.
o th

I don't understand, do you mean a coiled hose mounted overhead? Won't it droop, especially with a heavy nozzle attached to the end?

[Mel Fulks]

The coiled overhead hoses I’ve seen were in old “INDUSTRY ON PARADE” films shown by substitute teachers in grade school. Used for .things
like stapling a cloth toy bag onto a plastic Santa Claus . An overhead hook conveniently held the modern NEW- MATICK gun while the highly trained worker held the
toy bag in juuust the right place before pulling the trigger.

[Michael J Evans]

A real coilhose like the ones from coilhose pneumatics made of polyurethane will droop some when held vertically but not a insane amount. It's really going to depend on what your hanging off the end of of it. A big nail gun? Yes for sure it'll stretch some. A small blowgun? Not much a little.
The droop can be taken into account slightly by using a shorter length then normal. That way when it's "stretched" it's at the correct elevation.

Also a real coilhose made of polyurethane not the little crappy nylon ones, will not stay permanently stretched if you really extend it too far like on the nylon ones. They will snap back.

We used to actually MFG these types of hoses and were direct competitors to coilhose. I have some in stock still, if you let me know your drop lengths and if I get some free time, I can mock one up with a tool to test it out for you.

Mel is also right that for heavy staplers and such on a assembly line they have a spring loaded reel, loaded with cable and a hook (balancer I believe they're called) that attaches to your tool and keeps it suspended.

[Mel Fulks]

One place I worked was pretty crowded and it had coiled hoses. Looked like a big spider web in there. That’s when I bought my own
non coiled hose....with super deluxe brass fittings ! Heavy and floor hugging . Not leg endangering and hard to see.

[ChrisA Edwards]

I've had a Harbor Freight, 25' air hose reel, that is about 20+ years old. It's been mounted to the garage ceiling in about 5 different garages.

The ratcheting mechanism still works well and it doesn't bleed air.

Now I mainly use it for my nail and blow gun, but when changing motorcycle tires, I would use it when beading and inflating tires and also for my motorcycle table.


I have a piece of 2x6 that is predrilled with four lag mounting bolts for the hose reel. The hose reel has two slotted mounts and two holes. For the slotted mounts, I screw the lag bolts about 80% in and then mount the 2x6 on the ceiling joists. I then lift the hose reel and engage the mounting plate end, with the slots, with the two previously installed lag bolts. This supports the weight as I install the other two lag bolts in the mounting holes. These hole reels can be heavy when you are trying to install on a high ceiling.

[Ken Howell]

I just installed the Harbor Freight 25' in my shop this weekend. Seems pretty solid and the ratchet mechanism seems to work pretty good.

[Timothy Martin]

Reelcraft is a good option. We have ~20 of them installed in the auto repair shop where I work, mostly air hose reels, and a few water hose reels. Some of them are 25 years old. They get used a lot, and if they do eventually wear out (anything does with enough use) you can buy replacement parts.

Tim

[Frank Pratt]

I have a Flexzilla hose & reel hung from the ceiling. Not expensive & it works great. About the only complaint I have is that the put about 5 or 10' of too much hose in it so I have to pay attention when the last few feet go in so it doesn't bind. One day I'll shorten the hose a bit to eliminate that, but it really hasn't been a big issue.

[Joe Feistritzer]

Worked in a CNC machining department for several years. We got tired of fighting, tripping over the hoses mounted to walls and sides of the machines. Installed over head reels and they really cleaned things up. We didn't go fancy, so no specific brand advice. The crew didn't really care for the coiled hoses, even when hung overhead. They did like them in the assembly department, so it's probably a task specific/personal decision kind of thing. Overhead does clean the shop up, though.

[Steve Mathews]

Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions. I remembered being given an old air hose reel (pic below) and will probably refurbish and put it to use. It's a heavy beast and will require a sturdy ceiling mount. It already has some 3/8" rubber hose, which is probably a good fit for the metal working area of my shop. I plan to also purchase a few more hose setups. The CoxReels and ReelCraft hose reals seem like good candidates as they are made in the US, my preference. I may also try a polyurethane coiled hose if it makes more sense than a hose reel. Overhead hose reels seem more appropriate to me for most of my applications though.

My plans for shop air consists of a 3/4" x 200' copper loop around the perimeter with only a few 1/2" drops with quick disconnects along the wall. The majority of the outlets will be overhead. One of the compressors is 5hp, 220VAC single phase with a 60 gallon vertical tank. This will be used to primarily maintain system pressure and for limited demand. The other compressor is 10hp, 220VAC 3 phase with a 120 gallon horizontal tank. I'll run this when needed but will use the larger tank to increase storage capacity. Most of the pipe and fittings have been ordered so I should begin the install soon. This should be a fun project and long overdue.
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[Jim Becker]

I have a Flexzilla hose & reel hung from the ceiling. Not expensive & it works great. About the only complaint I have is that the put about 5 or 10' of too much hose in it so I have to pay attention when the last few feet go in so it doesn't bind. One day I'll shorten the hose a bit to eliminate that, but it really hasn't been a big issue.

I have the same and yes, the binding/locking can be awkward sometimes. That said, mine leaks so I may rip it apart to use the hose when spraying finish and get a different one for the new shop when it comes along.

[Cassius Nielsen]

I just installed a Lincoln Value Series hose reel up above my workbench. My compressor is tucked away and I did not want to be dealing with 50 ft of hose in a cramped hall way space. Seemed like the build design was closer to a Reelcraft than the ones you find in the $80-$90 range is why I went for it. It was worked well for me the 3 weeks I have had it pressurized.

[Ronald Blue]

I have no idea where they fall on the price point but it's not likely you would find a higher quality reel than Hannay. We've used them on our service trucks for years in harsh conditions. They always work as designed and the locking mechanism is dependable. Our acetylene welding hoses are also Hannay. Link attached.

https://www.hannay.com/en-US/application/air-pneumatic-tools/

[Paul Haus]

I have a couple of reels on the ceiling in my shop and I've hung another 4 in others shops. Most were either HF or Northern Tools items. I plumbed them in with copper and ball valves along with a drip leg. One developed a minor air leak a number of years back but being it's only used rarely, turn off the air when not needed and it works fine when needed.

[John K Jordan]

I'm installing compressed air piping in my shop and thought of using hose reels overhead instead of wall mounting. Seems like having them overhead in various central locations would be more convenient. One would be over top of my work bench, which is in the center of a U-shaped work bench top area. The other would be centrally located between my Bridgeport mill, metal lathe and surface grinder. A few others might be installed near my table saw, wood lathe, etc. Anyone else find overhead hose reels more convenient than wall mounted stations? Any recommendations for a good 25' hose reel would be appreciated.

Inside the shop I have wall mounted air outlets and use coiled hoses similar to this: www.amazon.com/Hromee-Polyurethane-Restrictors-Compressor-Industrial/dp/B07R4ZT2BC0 These are much less bulky and easier to manage than the larger hoses on the reels described below. The hose is smaller ID so it may limit the air flow a little but it's still fine for blowing chips, running pneumatic ROS, etc.

I use two small reels at house and barn. The best is ReelWorks Mini Hose Reel. looks like this but air instead of electrical cord: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GJ7OBMU. The reel is a lot small and has is 26' of 1/4" hose, more flexible, and easier to manage than a 3/8" hose. The whole thing is only 11" in diameter compared to the 18" dia of the Goodyear described below. It would be far better for use inside the shop than a large reel.

BTW, for heavy use I went with heavier-duty reels. I'll describe them but I do NOT recommend these for inside the wood or machine shop.
I use two large spring-loaded reels inside and outside the shop and through a roll-up door. and it easily reaches to the far side of the tractor with plenty to spare. These are mostly for outdoor use: equipment maintenance, plasma cutting, pneumatic grease guns, changing and filling tires and such.) Both have 3/8" hoses. My favorite is a Goodyear (from Northern Tool), tough 50' hose, very sturdy and well-made, good ratchet mechanism - it just feels like quality. The other is a Flexzilla (from a Napa auto parts store, same as this one: https://www.amazon.com/Flexzilla-Retractable-Lightweight-Hybrid-ZillaGreen/dp/B003O556QG). It's OK and a cheaper but the reel is not as sturdy as the Goodyear - I wish I'd bought another Goodyear. Note that Goodyear sells several type of reels - this is the one I use, much sturdier than the other style I've seen: https://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-Retractable-Compressor-Rubber-300PSI/dp/B01GFA3622

I am careful in the hose placement when I retract the hoses in both. Also, if you haven't used one with a spring you can't just release the ratchet and let go of the hose - likely to damage something.

JKJ

[Michael J Evans]

Coxreels has a soft / slow close rewind reel. John is right and some of those reels will really suck the hose back in with some force.

I believe the coxreel model starts with EZ.

As far as hose goes. A real quality USA made rubber hose from Gates, Goodyear (conti now) or Parker are all heavy duty and standard in industrial shops. They last for forever.

The hose that comes on coxreels now is a cheaper pvc/rubber hybrid that is okay...

Another really good option for hose, for any shop would be a 100% polyurethane hose like coilhose pneumatics make. They will far outlast rubber, are at least 30% lighter, virtually kinkproof / very very kink resistant. The only downsides with PU is it can tend to have a memory depending on how big of a reel it was spoiled up on when it came off the extrusion line and they are not cheap.

TBH for a home shop with light use, I'd probably go with a cheaper model home depot / harbor freight reel. I can buy cox/reelcraft at wholesale cost and there still expensive although either option would likely last at least one lifetime with hobbyist use.

I had a tire shop finally break a spring on a Coxreel after 17 years of use, if that says anything.

[Alan Schaffter]

I have a Reelcraft reel with Flexeel hose (I replaced the rubber hose) and a Rockler 120V cord reel with tri-tap outlet at the end of the cord. Both are mounted to the ceiling over my assembly table. They work great and I wouldn't change a thing. I also have a 1.75" vac hose looped over a hook and plumbed to a shopvac in a cabinet.

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