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I think we all know that one of the least enjoyed parts of the day is getting out, and particularly rolling up all the cords, and hoses. I was thinking of trying some 1/4″ air hoses – rather then the standard 3/8″. Presumably, the 1/4″ would be easier to handle, take up less room in the truck, etc.
My question is, will they deliver enough air? I have 1 framing gun but more often use an assortment of trim guns. Never use more than one gun at a time, and rarely at “very high production rates”. My compressor is a double tank, 1.5 hp hand carry Emglo.
Whadaya know?
Replies
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1/4inch will work great for you...But I have switched as of last year to a pair of hoses 3/8 that came on plastic reals and are 120 feet long each...wrap up is so easy that we fight over who reals in the air lines....
near the stream,
aj
*I'm with Jack on this one. I usually run 150" of air hose right from my truck. Put it on a hose reel and sure enough, no more tangles, and roll up at the end of the day is a breeze. 1/4" hose should work fine.
*third vote "go for it" 3 guns in production mode all on 1/4" hoses that rollup on cord reels in about 20 seconds and roll out even faster.jim
*Matt, I have always used 3/8 for getting air to the work area, and 1/4 for the gun(no 3/8 if I'm close enough to the compressor for one hose) Ive used this arrangement for spikers, roofing guns, staplers, T-nailers, trim guns, you name it. Once in a while, like when I drive a nail through the hose, or cut it with a saw(yes I've done that before) I've had to use the 3/8 to my gun, and it feels like I added 5 lbs. to the gun. If I ever had a problem, it was from an underpowered compressor, not the hoses.John
*I'll add this to this discussion. My 3/8 hose is a cranky and kinky when I use it unless I straighten the 60 feet before use it. My question is this a feature of air hoses in general or is my Costco hose cheap? Should I get a more expensive hose. The reel is attractive but my use is not an everyday item so the cost to use is low. Suggestions or comments ???
*I got the 3/8 hose that the dealer said was the absolute best. He claimed it to be lighter, more flexible/no cold weather effect, and easier to repair. So far all true (don't know about the repair yet, no need so far).I don't even remember what it's called! All I can tell ya is it's blue. Supposed to be something special about the blue! He marked down the 50' hose to about $40. It was way more expensive than the others, but for some reason I bought the BS and bought the blue one! If I knew what it was called I'd recommend it! It's more rubbery than plastic-ky. How's that for technical knowhow! Just buy the rubbery/blue/expensive one and ya can't go wrong!Jeff
*jeff does "flexeel/coilhose pneumatics" sound familiar? that's what I have; definitely blue, more rubbery than plasticky.:-)jim
*I've had my best luck with the Senco brand hoses.They stay flexible in colder temps than anything else I've owned.I made my hose reel by mounting lazy susan hardware to a cast off wire spool that the electrician pitched.
*I checked today. It says "Boston Easy-Couple". I saw that I lied, though. It's 1/4in. Maybe THAT'S why it's thinner and lighter than the 3/8 cheap orange plasticky back-up! Everything else is true though, even the blue part! So to answer the original Q...Yes, the 1/4 hose will do fine. I have the stacked Thomas and run mostly trim guns, with the occasional framer/roofer. Jeff
*I'm with you TLE, the senco works for me too.I am currently using a 50' lead and 70' hoses for six guns. All are 1/4". Occasionally we have little backlog, if someone is stapling.Most of this type of backlog would be reduced with a larger lead....I think.ONe thing that will make it all work with the smaller pancake type compressors is technique. I used a small pancake for many years, sometimes with as many as five guns. The key is to shoot everything as you lay it. Then, as you are chasing the next sheet, the compressor has time to catch up. It won't work if you tack everything, then try to production nail it.But it will work with the bigger beasts!blue
*Thanks guys. I went out and bought 2 50' 1/4" hoses last night. The guy at the tool store said I'd be much more happy with the Goodyear rubber hoses than the plastic ones. That added $9 onto the cost of each hose which were ~$25 ea.
*you should have bought the real...near the stream, wrapping up hose in seconds...aj
*aJ et al.:I have been looking for a reel. Only problem is that I've got so much stuff in the back of my truck, I hardly have room. I'm real happy with the way the 1/4" hoses worked out. Only thing I can't figure is why is that you see the 3/8" ones everywhere when the 1/4" (which are harder to find locally) are more convenient. Thanks all for your comments.
*Jim was right. Coilhose is the best, hands down. I've had mine for three years -- a 25' quarter-inch hose that I use as my end hose for every task from finish to roofing. This hose is indestructible and unbelievably flexible, even in cold weather, and never tangles. You can reach Coilhose at http://www.coilhose.com or 888/373-9233 (West Coast) or 800/526-2100 (East Coast). You won't be sorry. I bought this one hose at a trade show (JLC Live) for about $25.00 and can't wait to get more. Just found their location in Tools of the Trade.
*I put my 50' 1/4 inch air hose onto a 150'extension cord reel that they sell at Home Depot or Lowes for around $5. It works fine and keeps things organized when the day is done.
*3/8" hose is stocked everywhere because it will work where the 1/4" won't. Tools that draw a lot of air will starve with 1/4". Nailers don't use a large volume,even with the Blue Eyed Blur going. Grinders, drills, sanders & tools of that sort are the equivilant of an open line. 1/4" won't get enough air there to do the job, like a small gauge extension cord sorta. Joe H
*Excellent point Joe! Now I kow why my 3/4" air wrench doesn't work that good! I did recently set up my jobsite compressor with a 1/2" lead. We then branch off with a 70' 1/4" hose. It's just so much lighter and easier to use. It still is possible to jam the guns by trying to go too fast with this setup. Specifically, the wide crown staplers don't do so well. You have to control yourself. I manage, but the young studs always seem to be bent over pulling a jammed staple out.Oh well, they'll learn!That duofast (medium crown)stapler sure does cycle fast though!blue
*We just set up a big job and I got to go all out.Bought a 60 gal Ingersol-Rand upright compressor($500 from HD) and ran 1/2" air hoses with tees across the house. 3/8" lines from the tees to the guns. It seems to work so much better. Guns that used to need 105 psi now shoot great with 90.
*I use the 1/4" Parker Push Lock hose and certainly find it to be the best I have ever used. Costs about a buck a foot here for the hose and a few more bucks for the ends/couplers. Can buy it in any length and simply push the barbed ends/couplers in. No clamps or crimping. Highly abrasion and oil resistant and flexible even in the Minnesota winters. Hooked up to a 4 gallon 2 HP Thomas T-150, provides plenty of air to run a few guns at a time. As for storage, I use the Reel-A-Pail. Like a five gallon bucket with a slot in the side and a spool in the middle with a crank on the end (picture a bait casting fishing reel). Convienent and highly portable. Sell for about $40 for a pail that holds 100 feet of hose.
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I think we all know that one of the least enjoyed parts of the day is getting out, and particularly rolling up all the cords, and hoses. I was thinking of trying some 1/4" air hoses - rather then the standard 3/8". Presumably, the 1/4" would be easier to handle, take up less room in the truck, etc.
My question is, will they deliver enough air? I have 1 framing gun but more often use an assortment of trim guns. Never use more than one gun at a time, and rarely at "very high production rates". My compressor is a double tank, 1.5 hp hand carry Emglo.
Whadaya know?