Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Nov 21, 2002 10:55pm | #1

   over longer runs you need a bigger hose, you get pressure drop.  get rubber hoses, plastic is too stiff.   If your runs are 75+ft (of you run multiple guns off one hose) get half inch, your guns will fire better

   As far as emergency repair, hose clamps and brass connectors (two male ends with rib like thingies)

2. 
   sdr25 | Nov 22, 2002 02:12am | #2

   Personally I prefer Senco hoses.

   As for hose reels check Harbor Freight.

   Scott R.
3. 
   Brudoggie | Nov 22, 2002 02:30am | #3

   Like you, I have alot of different makes. I prefer Senco hoses. They're pliable, and when the hose splits at the fitting, which will happen to any hose at some point, you just cut off the split, and reinsert the fitting. The hose seems to have a memory, like PEX.No clamps needed. I've run my framer off 175' of 3/8" with no problems. Hope this helps.

    Brudoggie

4. 
   TLE | Nov 22, 2002 03:09am | #4

   Another vote for Senco.

   Can't possibly imagine a need for a 1/2" hose - for most single gun uses, 1/4" is sufficent, although I mostly use 3/8".

   I have 3, 50'-er's and 1, 100'. Quite honestly, the 100'er is awkward to wind up. I keep threatening to cut it in 1/2.

   Terry

1. 
   Brudoggie | Nov 22, 2002 03:59am | #5

   Got a 100' too. Going to cut it some day. Probably not on purpose:)

    Brudoggie

5. 
   grayling103 | Nov 22, 2002 04:20am | #6

   Nails,

   I use 100' of 3/8 rubber hoses for the leads then put splitters on those and plug in the nice light 1/4" blue hoses.  This system works well and the rubber hoses are fairly inexpensive compared to the blue hoses.  They also take abuse from ladders etc. better. 

   As for connectors, I have found that Miltons are among the best that I can buy in my mountain town. 

   Good luck

1. 
   Snort | Nov 22, 2002 05:55am | #7

   Milton is good stuff. We only run 3/8 dark blue hoses...color coordination is everything;-) It's okay, I can fix it!

1. 
   Sancho | Nov 22, 2002 06:02am | #8

   mines blue goodyears

   At Darkworks cut to size made to burn......Putty isnt a option

6. 
   KARLSTER | Nov 22, 2002 06:27am | #9

   I too use the Senco hose but I believe it is actually made by a company called Turner, Parker, or something like that under the "push lock" name.  It is a good quality hose that you simply push your quick disconnects with a barbed end into.  No wrenches or teflon tape required and you can splice a broken section together with a push on splice.

   Here in Santa Cruz we have a shop specializing in hoses and fittings (The Hose Shop) that tells me they buy it in 500 foot rolls and will cut whatever you want.

   If you want to reel it up look at the reels used for pressure washer hoses.  A buddy of mine has one that looks like it would hold more than a hundred feet of 3/8 inch hose.

   Karl

7. 
   peteschwartz | Nov 22, 2002 08:14am | #10

   Have you guys ever seen that Nylon reinforced polyethylene hose? There's a few brands out there, but the one I own and see quite often is the Flexeel made by Coilhose Pneumatics. it looks very similar to beverage line on a commercial soda machine. it's available in both 1/4 and 3/8 and has absolutely bomproof strain reliefs on the ends. This hose is actually stronger than the Senco or Goodyear, is 100% UV reistant, and will not dry rot either. Cold weather has no effect on it and it will not hold a memory if chained. I have two 50 footers with 1/4 inch ends for finish, and it works great. I will never by anything else for framing or finish. it's available in every configuration, even coiled for shop use, and it comes in different colors. Cost is ballpark with Senco, at about a buck per foot.......

1. 
   sdr25 | Nov 22, 2002 05:39pm | #12

   Pete, yes I have seen that hose, in fact the guy at the local tool store was trying to sell me a roll when I bought 50' of Senco this summer. It was a wee bit more expensive and since I had never seen it before I passed.

   Scott R.

2. 
   mike_chrest | Nov 25, 2002 05:52am | #14

   Hi Pete,

     Can you buy that Flexeel hose on the internet somewhere? I havent seen it at Home Depot or Amazon.com.

1. 
   gbwood | Nov 25, 2002 05:56am | #15

   Harpo- try dajosales.com

2. 
   peteschwartz | Nov 25, 2002 06:16am | #16

   I thought I saw it in tool Crib, But it may be under a different brand or something. Try these, & good luck! Pete

   http://www.freelin-wade.com

   http://www.coilhosepneumatics.com

1. 
   mike_chrest | Nov 25, 2002 06:42am | #19

   Pete,

     Thanks, I found a distributor in my town.

1. 
   JeffBuck | Nov 25, 2002 06:54am | #20

   I have 2 cheap 25ft hoses that I only use to drag thru the mud......

   and 1 really nice rubber kinda hose that the guy discounted when I bought my compressor...think he came down to $50 for 50'.....which I thought was kinda expensive....but I figured I'd believe him when he kept telling me it was the best hose I'd ever use.....and he was right.

   It's blue......think the name was "boston" something...or words to that effect. I don't think the hose is marked.....so I'll just have to drive back to the same lumber yard to get another. It's 3/8th....but feels way lighter......stays flexible in any weather......100+ or -10.........it's been thru a coupla summers/winters of both...and still as good as the first day.

   If ya have a 100ft that you hate......use a coupla threaded fittings in the middle....that way...no leaks when in one long piece...and easy enough to unscrew for 2 50's.

   Jeff..............Al-ways look on......the bright......side of life...........

                      .......whistle.....whistle.......whistle........

2. 
   Saw | Dec 01, 2002 07:05am | #21

   I picked up 4 or 6 50' lengths from HDC Homier's flying circus that traveled throughout the midwest several years ago. It is orange and had Snap-On it, I'm guessing that they were seconds but the only problem that I've had was when I shot an underlayment staple through one of them. I use Milton connectors with a three way splitter if needed. I also have a swivel on my roofing gun to relieve hose weight and tangles. I have a few connectors that I believe Amflo makes that have a shoulder on them to keep hoses from disconnecting while being pulled over roof edges, plates or gremlins that pop hoses apart.

2. 
   don26299 | Dec 21, 2002 07:54pm | #22

   Thanks.  I just sent an email for info and prices.

1. 
   junkhound | Dec 22, 2002 02:07am | #23

   Just saw this post, if you are in Pacific NW, go to Boeing surplus, 10 cents/# at times, always available at 50 cents/#, best air hose you can get, usually need to repalce or repair one of the fittings though.

3. 
   grayling103 | Nov 25, 2002 06:22am | #17

   check out coastaltools.com.  really nice prices compared to what I have paid.

   good luck

4. 
   don26299 | Jan 11, 2003 11:30pm | #24

   I'm having trouble buying flexeel too.  They sure don't seem anxious to sell the stuff.  I emailed Coilwhatever and the salesman too.   He replied but took almost a week.

   Is it a protected species?

1. 
   junkhound | Jan 12, 2003 01:41am | #25

   I still prefer the yellow Boeing surplus hose at about $8 for 100 ft, 1/4 inch.  <G>

   1st google hit for flexeel:

   http://www.tools-plus.com/coipfe41004t.html   $59 for 100 ft.

   2nd hit, $2 cheaper

   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/a/ab/coilhose/flexeel.htm?E+coastest

1. 
   don26299 | Jan 13, 2003 01:15am | #26

   Junkhound,

   I looked at those websites and they don't have what I think I want: PFE 40506.  This is 50 ft with 3/8 MPT fittings.  I want to stick with my same couplers. 

   Is there a website to buy the Boeing hose?

   Fonzie

2. 
   junkhound | Jan 17, 2003 04:21am | #27

   Wish there was a website to order myself, only place I know of with the air hose is in Kent, WA, cash and carry, no credit cards, checks only from preapproved.

   I think for big items, you may find some references on http://www.boeing.com/assocproducts/surplus/

   Heard there is a Boeing surplus in Seal Beach  CA that has computers, but never been there.

   There is also an employees only 'free wood' lot in Renton, WA.  Not as much now as before 9-11 due to airline order slowdown, but still get free 5 ft by 10 ft x 3/4 Baltic birch plywood there (Luka built much of his stuff with these) , 11  ft 2x8s, 12 ft 3" by 4" oak posts, etc off aircraft part big pallets shipped into the factory. One of my better fringe benefits <G>

3. 
   don26299 | Feb 01, 2003 07:51am | #28

   I just got my Flexeel.  It's pretty impressive.  My wife thought the box was empty it was so light. 

   I got the 1/4 ID hose.  So far it is plenty of air and flexible in the cold. 

4. 
   ghetto | Feb 12, 2003 07:30pm | #29

   flexeel is the best hose hands down, 1/4" is all you need we run 5 framing guns on 100' hoses on a 50' lead. Lets remember our guns run on pressure not amount of air just have the correct compressor for the job. As stated before they don't snag on anything its almost like being airless, they bearly weigh anything, in colorado its all you see on jobs, worth every penny. Buy stock in this company when the word finally gets around everyone will be using them. buy a 50 footer try it you will never go back to rubber.

5. 
   don26299 | Feb 13, 2003 06:10am | #30

   ghetto,  I did and you're right.  That is the stuff.  It's not at all common around here either- kinda fun to be on the cutting edge here in Illinois. 

6. 
   ken1 | Feb 13, 2003 10:42am | #31

   who mfgs the flex steel hose. how good is it at -20 my current hhoses turn to steel reply appreciated.

7. 
   don26299 | Feb 13, 2003 04:27pm | #32

   I just gave all my information to a friend, but Coilhose should get you there on the web.  Somebody else can probably give you the email adress.  I went through several hurdles getting mine from them and in the process found out they usually sell to distributors.  They weren't too set up for web sales.  The guy said Grainger was a distributor, but I didn't check it out.

8. 
   bobl | Feb 13, 2003 04:36pm | #33

   flexeel  these guys have both 50' and 100'  good to -40F (don't know what in C) according to label

   http://www.woodworkerswarehouse.com/shopItemDetail.asp?SID=&txtproductId=CP4100&txtQueryID=&txtKeyword=&selCategory=PM&selPrice=&absPage=1&shopperid=FRUWBTC3APSR2NEQ00UG3QTANN4D311D

   bobl          Volo Non Voleo      Joe's BT Forum cheat sheet

   Edited 2/13/2003 8:38:30 AM ET by bobl

9. 
   Shoeman | Mar 01, 2003 04:28pm | #36

   couldn't help but notice the $85 price tag on that 100'  1/4" hose - FYI  7corners hardware / Tools on Sale sells theirs for $68 - looks to be same hose, same materials, same specs - just yellow instead of blue

10. 
    Zorba | Feb 17, 2003 06:02pm | #34

    If your involved in any of the trades,  you should open an account with Grainger, they have most tools & supplies you might need for electrical, plumbing, HVAC and building.  They are all over the country and on the web.  Your order usually ships the same day!  Most businesses that have a Grainger acct. will also let employees buy from Grainger. 

11. 
    don26299 | Feb 22, 2003 06:48am | #35

    zorba, I just did open a internet account with Grainger last week.  They do have a good order system.  Thanks, Fonzie

8. 
   PhillGiles | Nov 22, 2002 08:23am | #11

   For a long run, take a look at the hose reels the guys who spray weeds use or greens-keepers' equipment.

   .

   Phill Giles

   The Unionville Woodwright

   Unionville, Ontario

1. 
   MarkDikeman | Nov 22, 2002 06:48pm | #13

   I have never used them, but here is one reel manufacturer.

   http://www.reelcraft.com

   MarkYes, I am serious.   And don't call me Shirley.

9. 
   1stingray | Nov 25, 2002 06:27am | #18

   flexeel is all you need to know. It slides easily through a house, rarely gets snagged and it is really light. I am surprised it did not get more attention. It is by far the best technology in air hoses.