Choosing The Right Compressor Hose
If you are shopping for an air compressor hose, there are a lot of things to consider. First of all, the best hose depends on what type of compressor you are using, what pneumatic tools you need to power, and how much PSI you need. There are different hose styles that might be more convenient and efficient than others. This article gives you a basic rundown of different hose types.
Heavy Duty Hoses
Heavy duty air compressor hoses are thick, durable, and reliable. They are perfect for high pressure tools, and they have good PSI capacities. However, they might have a capacity that is unnecessarily high. If you don't need this high capacity, there is probably no point in having such a thick hose. The main drawback to a thicker hose is that it is heavier, less flexible, and all around harder to work with. If you are just using a nail gun for a pneumatic paint sprayer, having a heavy-duty, high-gauge hose can actually be a hindrance. That being said, a thick hose is less likely to get tangled up and end up in knots.
Small Coil Hoses
On the other end of the scale are small, flexible coil hoses. These hoses are convenient because they coil up into a small ball, so they don't take up too much space. They are very lightweight, so they are convenient for small workshops, woodworking, garages, and similar usages where you don't need a lot of pressure. They are perfect for portable air compressors and power most portable construction tools.
Some people find coil hoses to be annoying. That is, they can get wrapped around themselves, and they can be difficult to untangle. If you are trying to run heavy duty pneumatic machinery, these hoses won't have enough air pressure to power the big tools because of their limited PSI.
Rewind Hose Reels
Auto rewind hose reels are also something you should consider. Of course, these only work with straight hoses. You can buy a rewind reel that will work with just about any existing hose. However, it is most convenient and easiest to set up if you just buy the entire package. Of course, the thicker and longer your hose is, the bigger the rewind unit will be.
In the end, the best hose for you basically depends on what type of air compressor you have and what tools you use.