Air Hose Reel Advice

cansari · Oct 21, 2010

I am looking to buy a decent quality 50 3/8 inch automatic air hose reel for my home garage, whith a good flexible hose. Any recommendations in the $100 range?

Also, I would like to mount in on my garage ceiling (10 foot ceiling). Above my garage ceiling is an atic, so I have access. I have a small 5 gallon air compressor. Any suggestions on where to place the air compressor and how to hook it up to the hose reel? I would like the line running from the hose reel to the compressor to be hidden if possible. thanks

Rickstir · Oct 21, 2010

I found that for mine I had to come up with a male-to-male hookup. I went to an auto supply store and they took a short piece of hyd hose and swedged on the proper fittings. I got mine at Orscheln, a farm supply house. Really handy.

cansari · Oct 21, 2010

can i connect the hose reel to the compressor using another air hose line (I have an existing 50 foot air line that i currently use)? I would probably route the line throught the atic, and then down a perimeter wall of the garage (behind the dry wall if possible) to the air compressor (which I will place either on the floor of the garage next to the wall or in a cabinet within the garage).

gatorgrizz27 · Oct 21, 2010

I just got a 50' self-retracting hose reel from harbor freight, its running $90 minus 20% off. It seems to be pretty decent quality in terms of a thick very flexible rubber hose and thick steel for the reel and mounting bracket. It is 3/8" hose with 3/8" fittings instead of the typical 1/4" fittings, no big deal to adapt it though.

I would run as short of a line as possible between the compressor and reel, as the longer the line is the more cfm loss you have, though it may not matter with a very small compressor.

Just an idea that might be nice is to just stick the compressor in the attic as long as you wouldn't mind it being charged or cycling all the time. You could extend the tank drain through the ceiling too to make draining it easy. It would also keep it out of the way and quiet unless you often take it other places to use it.

Harbor freight also has a decent selection of short connecting hoses and air fitting adapters, not sure I would use their quick connects, but the adapters have been fine.

cansari · Oct 21, 2010

gatorgrizz27 said:
I just got a 50' self-retracting hose reel from harbor freight, its running $90 minus 20% off. It seems to be pretty decent quality in terms of a thick very flexible rubber hose and thick steel for the reel and mounting bracket. It is 3/8" hose with 3/8" fittings instead of the typical 1/4" fittings, no big deal to adapt it though.

I would run as short of a line as possible between the compressor and reel, as the longer the line is the more cfm loss you have, though it may not matter with a very small compressor.

Just an idea that might be nice is to just stick the compressor in the attic as long as you wouldn't mind it being charged or cycling all the time. You could extend the tank drain through the ceiling too to make draining it easy. It would also keep it out of the way and quiet unless you often take it other places to use it.

Harbor freight also has a decent selection of short connecting hoses and air fitting adapters, not sure I would use their quick connects, but the adapters have been fine.

The one from harbor freight looks just like this one that its sold by Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EX0EWW/?tag=atomicindus08-20
How can I get the 20% off? With 20% off it would be slightly less than the one from Amazon. Also, I think thats a good idea about leaving the compressor in the atic. On occassion I move the compressor around, but since its a small compressor its not very heavy or difficult to move if necessary. There are two problems that I see with that idea, however, and I'm not sure if there are any easy solutions to them: (1) the compressor is noisy, and if its in the atic and is constantly charging or cycling (as air leaks out throught the fittings, which I assume will happen), we could likely hear it inside the house (especially at night), and (2) there would be no way to turn it off without going into the atic (which is not that convienient since it requires climbing up a pull-down ladder).

Mike B26 · Oct 21, 2010

gatorgrizz27 said:
I just got a 50' self-retracting hose reel from harbor freight, its running $90 minus 20% off. It seems to be pretty decent quality in terms of a thick very flexible rubber hose and thick steel for the reel and mounting bracket. It is 3/8" hose with 3/8" fittings instead of the typical 1/4" fittings, no big deal to adapt it though.

I'm about to pull the trigger on this unit. I have a coupon for $69.99. Has anyone seen it go lower or should I be satisfied with that?

rsanter · Oct 21, 2010

I have a good used USA made one that Im sure holds 75 to 100 ft
I am looking for $100 from it if your interested

bob

swharris · Oct 21, 2010

I'm in the spend more for a quality unit. You'll be tugging on that thing a lot. I bought a ReelCraft unit out of an auction and paid a bit over $100 for it. They go for $450+. The one I got looks almost brand new. I think I'll be glad I spent a bit more for the quality HD unit.

http://reelcraft.thomasnet.com/viewitems/spring-driven-hose-reels/heavy-duty-reel-series-7000-?

cansari · Oct 21, 2010

I have also been looking for a extension cord reel (will also mount to ceiling next to air cord reel), and I came across this dual reel (which I really like). I'm not willing to pay that much for one, however, and I can't seem to find a cheaper version. Anyone know of any cheaper options?

nehog · Oct 21, 2010

I picked one up at TSC the other day for $59 out the door. They are on sale. Installed it this last weekend and tried it out. Nice, the rewind is smooth, solid built, hose that came with it is good quality considering the price.

cansari · Oct 21, 2010

nehog said:
I picked one up at TSC the other day for $59 out the door. They are on sale. Installed it this last weekend and tried it out. Nice, the rewind is smooth, solid built, hose that came with it is good quality considering the price.

which one did you pick up? can you send a link to the website?

Industrial Concepts · Oct 21, 2010

swharris said:
I'm in the spend more for a quality unit. You'll be tugging on that thing a lot. I bought a ReelCraft unit out of an auction and paid a bit over $100 for it. They go for $450+. The one I got looks almost brand new. I think I'll be glad I spent a bit more for the quality HD unit.

http://reelcraft.thomasnet.com/viewitems/spring-driven-hose-reels/heavy-duty-reel-series-7000-?

We sell these Reelcraft units for around $315.00 with a 50ft hose.

I have a customer who put in the Harbor Freight units and the hoses died within two months. Granted this customer is a body shop verses a home shop.

gatorgrizz27 · Oct 21, 2010

If you google "harbor freight 20% off" it will pull up a printable coupon good for any item.

My reel is still new and I have no experience with longevity, only initial build quality. My regulator also limits pressure in the hose to 100 psi, if you were running a 2 stage compressor unregulated, the hose may swell and burst, though it is rated for 200 psi.

If you plumb the compressor properly, it really shouldn't leak at all, the only time I get any leaks is with things left plugged in to the quick connects at certain angles.

You could always add an extra wall switch to the garage to run the power up to your compressor, flip it off when you go to bed. If you want an easier solution just run an extension cord up there and unplug it from below.

wickeral · Oct 21, 2010

HomeDepot/ $79.00. Works great and hangs from the cieling just fine!

Keep · Oct 21, 2010

Fastenal has the reelcrafts on for $209

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=7054336&ucst=t

nehog · Oct 22, 2010

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/...-50-ft-air-hose-reel-with-rubber-hose-3310323 lists for $69, but was on sale for $10 off. May still be on sale, you'd have to check with a store. Well built, the hose is good, for the price I think it is a winner.

T1320T · Oct 22, 2010

Walmart sells a CH self retracting hose reel w/ 50' PVC hose for $50. It works ok.... but, if your shop is cold then you'll fight getting the semi rigid PVC hose back in every time you use it. I'd opt for the Reelcraft if you can swing it.

floyd · Oct 22, 2010

I priced a reelcraft with 35' of 3/8 hose just like the one in the pic for $200 shipped. They look really nice and I'll pull the trigger soon. Looked at eBay and Amazon and found the best prices there.

GMBBS · Oct 22, 2010

These come up on Craigslist pretty often. Look for a quality unbit like Cox or Reelcraft. I put two cox reels in my garage attic, one of my favorite things in my shop now. Got mine from Northern Tool on clearance.

cansari · Oct 22, 2010

nehog said:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/tools/...-50-ft-air-hose-reel-with-rubber-hose-3310323 lists for $69, but was on sale for $10 off. May still be on sale, you'd have to check with a store. Well built, the hose is good, for the price I think it is a winner.

That does look like at winner for $69. Its looks very similar to the $200 Reel Craft. Does anyone have any expierence with this MIT Hose Reel?

bill9860 · Oct 22, 2010

I vote for Reelcraft as well. A bit more but good quality, American made.

cansari · Oct 22, 2010

Sears sells a 25ft Reelcraft for $149.99 and you can get a 35ft for $192.57 on Amazon. I think I can swing that. I would also like a matching power cord reel, but those are in the $350 plus range (big difference in price).

Vinko · Oct 23, 2010

I was working on putting the finishing touches on my new reel tonight. It's a Cox EZ-Coil and it's pretty nice. The quality is evident. It's going to get used (and abused) like crazy, so I think it'll probably be a good investment.

nehog · Oct 23, 2010

cansari said:
Sears sells ...

Sears?

I bought a Sears manual hose reel last year. Paid as much as I paid for the TSC automatic one this year. The sears one came with "High flexibility PVC air hose".

yea, right...

The first day the temp in the shop dropped below 60 (60, not 50, not 40, but 60) I could not unwind the now stiff as steel rebar air hose!

I ended up going to the local supplier and getting a 50 ft rubber hose that has worked well in that application. I used the old Sears POS hose to hook up my TSC unit last week, who cares if it is stiff as a board!

Hogan's Hero · Oct 23, 2010

http://cgi.ebay.com/Reelcraft-Heavy...ic_Hydraulic_Valves_Parts&hash=item3361d2443d

saw this on ebay just now...might be just what you are looking for.

sberry · Oct 23, 2010

I use some cheaper deals from Walmart for occasional use where stiff hose isn't much of an issue, found one at HD maybe that I put in my paint booth. I like the simple mounting of the Wallyworld deals. I often use manuals where use is high, some places I have plumbed in hose drops.

sberry · Oct 23, 2010

At benches there is a whip that reaches them, no reel, at hoist a couple of drops from the ceiling. I made ******* so they rotate around posts clearly and fit things so a common 25 ft hangs, also reaches around area. I guess I use about 5 reels and 4 drops in shop.

sberry · Oct 23, 2010

Doesn't scare me to run a new piece of pipe, still on occasion when I move or add something I make a change. I added a new hydrant for my sandblaster a while back, worth the effort of less than an hour, the old one was just in a poor location, took fitting out, put plug in and extended a pipe about 10 ft, so much easier to use.
I was in a small shop the other day where the owner is just too,,,, lazy isn't really the right word, but air hoses on floor being walked on for years. Little bit of plumbing would have went a long way. I hate walking on the ****.

cansari · Oct 25, 2010

I believe I have decided in the Reelcraft 5635 OLP. I notice that the Reelcraft reels come with PVC air hoses rather than rubber. Aren't rubber better?

shopnut · Oct 25, 2010

I don't mean to cloudy the waters here after your mind is nearly made up, but you may consider Reelcraft's "Reeltek" line (RT series) of hose reels. They are a bit cheaper than the professional series, and for a weekend warrior, I'm pretty happy with them.

I picked up most of mine for under $100.

My $.02

cansari · Oct 25, 2010

shopnut said:
I don't mean to cloudy the waters here after your mind is nearly made up, but you may consider Reelcraft's "Reeltek" line (RT series) of hose reels. They are a bit cheaper than the professional series, and for a weekend warrior, I'm pretty happy with them.

I picked up most of mine for under $100.

My $.02

yes, I noticed that. I can pick up the professional version off of amazon for $165 without a hose and $175 with a hose, and I think I can pay the extra $50 or so for the professional. Now I'm trying to decide between buying the one with the hose (which is PVC) or buying the one without the hose and purchasing a rubber hose separately (I think I will prefer rubber). I suppose I would need to buy 2 hoses, one for the reel itself and another short hose to connect the reel to the compressor in the atic?

shopnut · Oct 25, 2010

If buying one without a hose, keep in mind that you will not get a hose stop either. Its the little donut that keeps the hose from going in too far. They are more costly than you might think and you will need to find one that fits tightly on your hose, but not too tight.

cansari · Oct 25, 2010

shopnut said:
If buying one without a hose, keep in mind that you will not get a hose stop either. Its the little donut that keeps the hose from going in too far. They are more costly than you might think and you will need to find one that fits tightly on your hose, but not too tight.

I did not know that, thanks. Since the one with the hose is only $10 more, perhaps I should buy that one since it will include the donut (even if I later decide to replace the hose with a rubber hose).

shopnut · Oct 25, 2010

cansari said:
I did not know that, thanks. Since the one with the hose is only $10 more, perhaps I should buy that one since it will include the donut (even if I later decide to replace the hose with a rubber hose).

I didn't know either until I bought one that way and then had to find one. I would pay the $10 extra and use the hose for a while. Then change it later if you don't like it. Who knows, you may be happy with it.

Tractor Boy · Oct 25, 2010

If you haven't already purchased a hose reel, you should look into the one Griot's sells. It is a good quality reel and has 50' of pvc hose. The hose is very flexible and retracts nicely. I own two of them. They are $100 each.

gabeancounter · Oct 25, 2010

Is it possible to put a heavy-duty cord (12 ga) on a old air hose reel? I can not figure out the swivel issue. lol

Ign · Oct 25, 2010

We had two China made ones when I was in trade school. Within a few weeks of install the catch on one had failed so you were always trying to tie it off to something. The next semester the other one decided it didn't like retracting all that much.

These were supposed to be the "better" units but were sold by a local tool supply so who knows what Chen Shen factory actually made them.

VERY frustrating however. I'd pony up for a Cox or Reelcraft. This is something where quality tools pay for themselves. Personally I just use the manual rewind units - there's very little to fail but no good for ceiling mount of course.

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