If you are using tools such as an air compressor or air drill, you need to use the right air hose reel. The type of reel you get is quite different from the regular ones because the hoses carry air at a higher pressure than the garden hose. You need the best air hose reel to keep the hose wound neatly and provide the exact hose length needed. With different air hose reels available on the market, how do you find the right one?
Material
You have to consider the material used to make the air hose. Rubber is widely used because synthetic rubber is readily available. Rubber is heavy but prevents the hose from kinking. In addition, it has excellent flexibility and can work well in different weather conditions. The other material used is PVC. This material is lighter, but it kinks easily. The only problem with PVC is that it is not suitable for cold temperatures.
You can find air hoses made of polyurethane. This material has properties similar to those of rubber, but it is lightweight. It is a perfect material if you will be moving the hose around your garden. However, it also kinks. If you need a material that is light, you should consider nylon. You can find nylon air hoses readily available but have durability issues.
Length
Most air hoses are available in 25 ft, 50 ft, and 100 ft lengths. It is not always a good idea to get the longest air hose you come across. That is because you might end up losing some air pressure when using a longer hose. Ensure you choose the right length that suits your job.
Diameter
You should note that the diameter is quite important. Consider getting the widest as it can accommodate a higher volume. However, if you do not require a lot of air, you should get a smaller option because it is cheaper.
Remember that the ideal size of the air hose depends on your air tool. There is a need to ensure you get a hose that can accommodate the air volume from your compressor. That explains why you should check the CFM rating of the compressor and the hose. Nevertheless, a larger diameter is considered to be more versatile and can handle lower flows.
Manual vs. Retracting Air Hose Reels
The retracting air hose reels are the modern ones and offer a lot of advantages. However, they also have disadvantages. That is also the case with manual air hose reels. Retracting reels are easy to use. For instance, you do not have to worry about rewinding the hose. Also, it is the recommended option for long hoses. In any case, you do not want to spend a lot of time manually rewinding a 150 ft hose.
Although manual air hose reels are tedious, you have nothing to be concerned about their winding mechanism being damaged. Moreover, they are readily available and cheaper than auto-retractable ones.
Remember that you need to get the right air hose reel to make your job easier. Also, it protects your air hose from damage.
