1. Home
  2. ⏣ General Metalworking
  3. Opinions sought-most flexible air hose

Opinions sought-most flexible air hose

I'm sure some folks here will agree on a particular brand, at least I hope so. I am looking for the most flexible and lightest 1/4 I.D. air hose. The hose is to be used in my machine shop so it must be compatible with typical fluids found in machine shops. I want to make up a bunch of whips using ferrules to clamp the hose to some sort of rotating fitting that screws into air guns. I am sick and tired of fighting air hose twist, stiffness and weight. Hose clamps that have any type of ears or protrusions etc. bug me almost as much. So very flexible air hose clamped to a fitting with a nice smooth crimped ferrule is my goal. Might as well talk as about swivels too. The swivels I want should only rotate which means the ball type won't do. I have some ball type swivels and don't like them. I may end up making my own because I haven't yet found a swivel that just rotates. I am also considering the use of quick disconnects as the swivel. But not the standard size because the diameter of these is too large. But there are available small diameter quick disconnect fittings that work just like the larger diameter types. Less air goes through but most of the time I don't need a lot of air for blowing stuff off. I use several types of air gun nozzles but the ones that get the most use are the type that use the Coanda effect to entrain extra air from the surrounding air into the air stream coming from the nozzle. They are quieter and work very well for blowing coolant and chips off of parts and vises and so on. This is why smaller diameter quick disconnect fittings would be OK for most stuff. So I would like suggestions and opinions on small diameter quick disconnects, swivels, and air hose please. Thanks, Eric

Reply to
etpm
Loading thread data ...

I've got a 50 ft 3/8 inch "Flexzilla" hose.

formatting link

It is really flexible, stretchy stuff. But if you run it up to pressure and then coil it up for storage or vice-versa, you'll have a twisty coil when you do the opposite. The stuff acts weird. I have an old Dayton rubber hose and a newer Goodyear rubber hose and they don't act that way. Just something to keep in mind as you check out stuff that looks promising...

Reply to
Leon Fisk

If we're talking reinforced rubber hose, Parker 801, hands down. Much more limber than equivalent Goodyear, Aeroquip, or anything else I've seen.

formatting link

No ferrule required if you use the Parker push-lok barb fittings or the McMaster equivalent fittings. The McMaster fittings work as well as the Parker fittings and are less expensive.

formatting link

The 801 hose tends to crack at the fittings after several years of flexing, but I just cut 3 or 4 inches off the end of the hose and reattach the original barb. To remove the fitting, make a diagonal cut across the barbs with a shop knife.

For larger hose the installation tool is handy, but not necessary for

1/4 & 3/8 hose if you lube the barb and hose ID.
Reply to
Ned Simmons

Thanks Ned, I really value your opinions about this kind of stuff. I'll see if I can handle some of the Parker hose locally and if it's limber enogh buy some. Cheers, Eric

Reply to
etpm

Nice of you to say so.

Contact me by email if you can't put your hands on some and we can arrange to get you a length that'll fit in a flat rate box. I bought a spool at auction years ago and though I don't know much is left, I'm sure I can spare 10ft.

Reply to
Ned Simmons

OK Ned, I'll let you know. Thanks, Eric

Reply to
etpm

Get a top brand rubber hose. I bought a used air compressor 25 yrs ago and it came with a 50 ft rubber hose. It is super flexible, has never burst and is still in excellent condition. I actually can't believe it but it fact. Once bought a plastic air hose 10 yrs ago and the thing was a nightmare. In the cold it was so stiff as to be unusable. I ended up throwing it in the trash.

Here is a good brand cheap price 1/4 x 25 rubber hose on amazon for 16.85 t his should work fine. reviews say it is great quality and very flexible.

formatting link

Below is a 24" version but I would simply buy the longer version and then b uy the end fittings and make up my own.

formatting link

~
Reply to
ncwonline

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.