FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In
Tools & Materials

Air Hoses: The Lifeline of Your Pneumatic Tools

The right one should fit your tools, your budget, your work, and even the weather outside.

By Justin Fink Issue 201
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Synopsis: An air hose might not be the most glamorous component of a tool kit, but for many builders, it’s a vital player in any construction job. After researching the market and talking to builders across the country, FHB editor Justin Fink learned that there is no all-around perfect air hose. The optimal choice depends on the tool being used with the hose, the budget, the builder’s work habits, and the working environment. Air hoses are made either of rubber, PVC, nylon, or polyurethane; each material has assets and liabilities depending on where it is used. This article includes sidebars on job-site air-hose repair, hose diameter, and metal fittings for air hoses.

Magazine extra: Watch Justin Fink explain the differences between air-hose materials and demonstrate three easy fixes that can make a damaged hose as good as new.

Of all the tools I use, I can’t think of any more finicky than my air hose. My tablesaw has been rained on, my nail guns are dented, and I’ve dropped my chalkline more times than I can count. Still, every one of those tools continues to perform without trouble. But the slightest change in temperature, the subtlest twist of my wrist, or the smallest of obstacles in its path, and my air hose becomes a problem.

To me, air hoses are the perfect illustration of the saying that there are no solutions, only compromises. I’ve worked with every hose style that’s on the market — rubber, PVC, nylon, and polyurethane. I’ve researched the materials, and studied the pros and cons. I’ve talked to builders in different parts of the country and to a number of experts from several of the major toolmakers, all to find out which hose is the ideal choice. I’ll save you the suspense: There’s no such thing as a perfect air hose. Your choice will depend on your budget, your work habits, the working environment, and the type of tool that you have connected to the business end of the hose.

The original, and still a strong contender

Rubber air hoses have been around for decades, and they are still favored for their low price and high durability. A 50-ft.-long, 3⁄8-in.-inside-diameter (I.D.) rubber hose sells for $20 to $40 and typically offers years of service, even under daily use. Rubber doesn’t mind cold weather, tolerates contact with oil and finishing products, and lies flat on the floor. Plus, when the workday is over, it coils up as easily as an extension cord.

The biggest complaint about rubber hose is that it’s heavy; a 50-ft. hose weighs from 6 lb. to 8 lb. If the majority of your work is done while you’re standing on the ground, then the weight isn’t problematic. But if you’re installing clapboards, nailing roof shingles, or working from an extension ladder, that free-hanging dead weight can be a drag.

Because the outer sheathing of a rubber hose is soft and porous, it also holds dirt and isn’t really cleanable. The hose you use on the roof shouldn’t be dragged through the living room to install crown molding; it could leave scuff marks on trimwork.

By nature, rubber products dry out over time, making them prone to cracking, especially when they are used outside in the sun all day. The most common failure point is where the metal fitting attaches to the end of the hose. This intersection of hard metal and soft rubber endures constant stress while you work and often is the first place to leak.

Not all rubber hoses are created equal, but unfortunately, there is no easy way for buyers to confirm quality, other than price. When it comes to rubber, Campbell Hausfeld engineer Bobby Lawrence suggests that a higher price tag usually means better quality.

For more photos and details, click the View PDF button below:

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps

Choosing the right heating and cooling system means finding the best fit for your home's size, layout, and climate—and balancing trade-offs in efficiency, comfort, and cost.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Battery-Powered Nailer
  • The Science Behind Electric vs. Gas Leaf Blowers
  • Cordless Coil Siding Nailer
  • Lightweight Air Supply for Pneumatic Nailers

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

Video

View All Videos
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding the Right Battery-Powered Nailer
  • Rebuild a Framing Nailer
  • Paslode F325R Compact Framing Nailer
  • How to Set Up and Use a Blower Door
View All

Air Tools

View All Air Tools Articles
  • The Science Behind Electric vs. Gas Leaf Blowers
  • Cordless Coil Siding Nailer
  • Lightweight Air Supply for Pneumatic Nailers
  • Compact Cordless Compressor
View All Air Tools Articles

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data