Are you still listening to the clerk’s recommendation to buy an air hose, or is it broken after a short time of use? If you still don’t know how to choose a suitable air hsoe, come and read this article.
HOSE MATERIAL
Hybrid Hose – The hybrid blend of polyurethane, PVC and rubber allows hybrid hose to be extremely flexible and durable, even in frigid temperatures. If you’ve ever been frustrated by air hose that kinks and is generally difficult to unravel, this is the choice for you.
Polyurethane Hose – Sometimes referred to as poly hose, polyurethane air hose is considered an “all-around” option. It weighs less than comparable hybrid and PVC options, which is a factor you’ll appreciate after you’ve dragged it around a job site all day. It also stays flexible in most conceivable working temperatures.
PVC Hose – PVC hose is very durable and abrasion resistent. It’s considered to be the economical option. While not as flexible as the above varieties, it’s great when working in warm weather. It’s also easy to maneuver around corners and obstacles without getting hung up.
Length
Besides material, hose length is another factor to consider when shopping. If you’re not taking an air tool far from your work space, then a 50’ hose is plenty. For larger scale projects like decking or framing, a 100’ hose is usually the more practical choice. In that case, you’re less likely to need an extension cord which, RolAir notes, is tough on electric motors.
For one thing, an unnecessarily long air hose can be a tripping hazard. Longer hoses also increase frictional or air pressure loss. Increased frictional loss means a greater likelihood of producing stair-stepped nails. While frictional loss occurs with any hose size, the rate increases with length.
Storage
Face it, having an air hose snaking all around the garage isn’t a pleasant situation, especially if you appreciate a tidy garage. But storing an air hose can be problematic—some just don’t want to roll up into a nice, neat package.
To avoid the mess, you have two choices. First, you can buy a hose hanger that holds the rolled hose nicely up and away from the floor. Another option is to consider a self-coiling hose that stretches where you need it, then coils itself back up like a slinky after use.
A long self-coiling hose can retract into a nice, small package that won’t always be underfoot when you don’t want it there.
The PVC air hoses above are a bit more familiar. But they’re not the only types of air hoses available on the market. There was a time when rubber air hoses were very common. If you want to know their differences and how to choose, you can contact us. We will have someone to answer for you.