Replies

1. 
   Gene_Davis | May 20, 2006 11:43pm | #1

   Got Flexeel?  You can get it regular, or like this

   View Image

2. 
   IMERC | May 20, 2006 11:49pm | #2

   fleexeel or a quality knock off...

   affordability is up for interptation...

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

3. 
   Sphere | May 21, 2006 12:41am | #3

   Another vote for the Eel. I highly recommend a hose reel, if that sucker gets a notion to wad up on ya, it is a real bitch to undo.

   I got a nifty reel w/ 30' of decent rubber hose from Harbor Freight for sumptin like 25 bucks. Most of thier stuff is second rate at best, but the hose reel is decent.  I think I saw it here that someone had it mounted right on the portable comp.  Slick idea. I might get another one just for that, and this one for the shop.

   One could probly get 75 or 100' of eel on the reel.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

1. 
   allenschell | May 21, 2006 05:27am | #6

   "if that sucker gets a notion to wad up on ya"mine would have to get a notion to NOT wad up, I won't be byin nothern.

1. 
   Sphere | May 21, 2006 05:32am | #7

   Just remember..ya gotta be smarter than the hose, when it comes to being tangled up.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

2. 
   MarkH | May 21, 2006 05:34am | #8

   Anyone here try Bostitch Prozhoze?  Looks OK, fairly respectable price.

3. 
   JohnSprung | May 24, 2006 03:36am | #24

   To minimize tangling and tripping, use the "over/under" coiling technique.  Difficult to put into words, but it's been described in other threads here.  

    

   -- J.S.

    

2. 
   JulianTracy | May 22, 2006 04:40pm | #15

   I have a 50' 3/8 flexeel and a cool Senco 25' coil job that is my favorite. Cost $20 is super flexible and not grippy at all - the perfect airhose for just about everything.JT

   Edited 5/22/2006 9:41 am ET by JulianTracy

1. 
   JulianTracy | May 22, 2006 04:42pm | #16

   Here's the Senco.JT

   
1. 
   zachariah | May 23, 2006 02:30am | #21

   diferrent from what I use, I use the straight hose.

3. FHB Editor
   JFink | May 22, 2006 09:29pm | #17

   Sphere,

   Which of these was it?

   http://da.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=air+hoseJustin Fink - FHB Editorial

   Your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator

1. 
   Sphere | May 23, 2006 12:27am | #19

   That first one for 19.99 I think.  Works just fine.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   There is no cure for stupid. R. White.

4. 
   JonE | May 21, 2006 04:07am | #4

   I bought something similar to a Flexeel, it's made by a company called Forney?  Very light weight, very flexible, lays flat, I love the thing.    I think I paid too much though, the Flexeels can be had reasonably cheap on eBay.

    

5. 
   zachariah | May 21, 2006 04:37am | #5

   The best hose I have come across bar none is senco hose.It has almost no reflex memory, it requires no clamps due to chinese finger trap style weave, and it is very durable.I bought 3 80 ft. hoses 6 years ago for $80 each and have never used another hose since, which is saying alot considering they have been through 6 years of ruffneck framers.

6. 
   JeffBuck | May 21, 2006 05:50am | #9

   I have a short flexeel ... 25' ... that stays with the little compressor for kitchen installs.

   have a 50' length of Boston Blue ... for everything else.

    

   also have 2 cheap orange hoses ... 25' and 50' ... that get hooked up first and dragged thru the mud if need be. They're the one's that'll get run up the rough stringer stairs or hung out the 2 story window. They're cheap ... I hate them ... but I can't kill them. And when I do ... I'll replace them with 2 more cheapies to use and abuse.

   also have the small coil that came with the little compressor ... sometimes I'll use it in a bath just 'cause it's there.

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   deskguy | May 22, 2006 09:50pm | #18

   "sometimes I'll use it in a bath just 'cause it's there."

   Is that your own redneck Jacuzzi?

1. 
   JeffBuck | May 23, 2006 02:28am | #20

   pisses off some customers but always relaxes me ...

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

1. 
   deskguy | May 23, 2006 08:31pm | #22

   I didn't realize you'd moved to California.

   http://nakedcontractor.com/

1. 
   JeffBuck | May 24, 2006 12:40am | #23

   my brother's in Cali ...

   Buck Const is coast to coast!

    

   that must be his new website?

   I'm not gonna look and find out ...

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

7. 
   nikkiwood | May 21, 2006 06:37am | #10

   Flexeel is all I use any more. But I have 3 @ 25' each. They are easy to roll up, but they tend to snarl a bit when you unwind them -- thus the 25', which are easier to deal with.

   They don't tangle at all once unfurled, and they are super light-weight, and tough enough to handle rugged job site conditions.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   BillBrennen | May 21, 2006 08:42am | #11

   I have a 25' and a 50' Flexeel, both are 1/4" I love the 25' and use it just like Jeff Buck with the small compressor. The 50' is a mess and I dread dealing with it. I should get some ends and make it into 2 at 25'. Then they would get some real use.Bill

8. 
   Mitremike | May 21, 2006 08:50am | #12

   I have SuperBraid---started by the guy who dreamed up Flex and got the boot or shaft or something.

   IAC he started Superbraid---Since putting into use the PVC hoses and rubber ones are exentions and outdoor only.

   I'll live with the memory for the "no marks and lightweight"

   I get around the memory by laying it out before pressurizing and looping it up the same way each time.

   One warning----make that two. Keep them away from high heat like lightbulbs and such and don't go around corners if there is exposed carpet tack. Both lead to annoying leaks and a never shuting off compressor.

   Mike

   "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990

   " I reject your reality and substitute my own"
   Adam Savage---Mythbusters

9. 
   jrnbj | May 22, 2006 06:11am | #13

   Another vote for Senco....the 1/4 ID is hard to find, but works great for pinners/bradders/staplers...
   Best fittings in the business (unless you get those high tech German button release ones!!!)

10. 
    Karl | May 22, 2006 06:47am | #14

    One more vote for 1/4" senco. I have a flexeel hose but I usually grab the senco hose first. I think my biggest criteria is to go with 1/4" hose (provided that it can supply the requisite air). The improvement in lightweight, flexible and compact is startling if you haven't looked at the smaller diameter hoses.

    I am curious what sort of carpentry tools starve for air using 1/4" as I have yet to have an issue, even running a 15cu ft/min air powered polisher.

    Karl