Air compressor fittings

[Bren]

Can anybody recommend the best hoses and fittings for a compressor - I mean in terms of size etc.

 

I have been told that the quality of hoses and fittings vary and some of the cheaper stuff really is crap.

 

Anybody help?

[PiperCub]

I use fittings from Machine Mart - not had any issues.

 

Have a couple of coily thin-ish hoses for stuff that doesn't 'use' much air but use a decent 10mm fat hose for stuff like an impact wrench. All has come from MM.

[steve_earwig]

Hoses big as possible, short as possible too. I can't help you with the fittings (especially from here) but there's so many different types that look almost identical that it gives me a headache.

[twosmoke300]

Use genuine pcl fittings where possible . They are expensive but last and don't leak . Go as big as you can diameter wise . Prob 3/8 is a good compromise unless you are using serious kit like 3/4 guns and needle scalers etc

[Bren]

I had seen the pcl fittings - tool station sell decent hose.

[DeeJay]

Those coiled air hoses are a pain in the rear.

I've had a couple.

You'll spend more time untangling and untwisting them than is good for your stress levels.

[cobblers]

yeah they're a total pain in the arse. I got 3 included in cheap air tool kits and strung them together to make a long hose for pumping tyres up down the drive, but once you've actually pulled on them a bit they don't go back anywhere near coiled, so now I have just got a 2 foot square snarled up pile of wank air hose that makes me murderously angry every time I try and use it. So bad that I still put 50p in at the petrol station up the road instead of bothering with it.

[tommotech]

I got a Clarke wall mounted hose reel and genuine PCL fittings. No worries and no leaks but make sure you use PTFE tape on the threads. Don't forget to drain water from the tank regularly and use oil in your air tools.

 

If you do spring an air leak don't go near it, but I'm sure you already knew that.

[NorthernMonkey]

What are the Clark hose reels like to live with on a daily basis? I seem to spend an unhealthy amount of time tripping over 50ft of tangled hose.....

[tommotech]

I find the hose reel works for me. They do retract better though if the pressure is evacuated first but that is easy enough to achieve if you have an isolation valve in the line feeding it. I tend to withdraw as much hose as I need for the area I'm working in. My reel is set fairly high on the wall and doesn't really give me any bother.

 

Now I've said that it's likely to become a complete pain in the arse!