landroversforever Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 I'm looking for a retractable airline for the workshop so I'm not tripping over the excess length all the time! Anyone on here got a reasonably priced one they would recommend? There is a huge choice from ~£35 to hundreds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 (edited) It depends on what you use it for. So I have https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amtech-Y2650-Retractable-Hose-8-Inch/dp/B002W4T49U/ Not the biggest diameter pipe, the pipe is not the most flexible but better than a cheap extension pipe I have. Because it is not auto guided, if the wrap all goes to one side then the spring can need a little help to pull in the last 6 inches because the pipe is just rubbing on the case enough to stop it pulling it in but a little help by hand will see it fully retract. You need to buy your own connectors but you get to choose PCL or euro depending on what you use. Was used daily for about 6 months, now only a couple of times a week but still going strong after 7 years and for the price it was well worth it. Update: looking at other the reel is quite open so it is easy to see the wrap and push the wheel to help for the last 6 inches when badly wrapped Edited April 11, 2019 by zardos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Mine is something like a d pro. I picked it as I needed 20m to get down the drive and around the cars and didn't want to spend hundreds, it was about £50. It swings side to side and retracts by itself, always seems to coil back in. You can lock it off every few inches although it seems to take a bit of a knack to get it to do what you want. Think it's 3/8 hose but I can go look for a model number if you want to know exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 Is that the internal bore diameter? That's about 10mm isn't it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 Yes 3/8 bore is 9.5 ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 I'm thinking that the retractable one will go by the door, so I can pull it out to blow up tyres outside easily. For now I'll plumb it in with one of my normal lines, but eventually I'll hard-line it all the way to the compressor. I've found an old stainless compressed air tank (well two) at work to stick inline down by the door so I've got a bit of an air reserve if I'm doing anything else further out from the workshop door. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 Mine came from Lidl a year or so back for about £15. It's not huge bore, but I mainly use it to drag down the drive for inflating tyres. I have other airlines for local use in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 A friend has a portable air receiver that you charge from your compressor then carry around with you. Good for tyres etc. You can get 30m of braided airline for about £30. You can always just put a hook on the wall and wrap it up there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zardos Posted April 13, 2019 Share Posted April 13, 2019 An old wheel makes a great hanging point for airlines. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cynic-al Posted April 14, 2019 Share Posted April 14, 2019 People used to do that with hosepipes, not seen that for a long time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 14, 2019 Author Share Posted April 14, 2019 I’ve got two normal lines, and whilst they’re ok for doing tyres outside, I need both together to get outside and round a vehicle. Having a retractable by the door will make it so much quicker and easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted April 16, 2019 Share Posted April 16, 2019 I have this one from screwfix. https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-air-hose-reel-x-15m/2517h quite happy with it and air hose seems to be decent quality. jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted April 28, 2019 Share Posted April 28, 2019 So you really need one without a line and large capacity but can't see any that aren't already populated with hose? 🧐 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted April 28, 2019 Author Share Posted April 28, 2019 This has dropped off my radar and still not got round to buying one. No, I want one with hose too. Need more air line than I have to get across to my other unit too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yalan Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I have a Nedermann retractable reel. Not hugely long but have x2 hoses to link up when the need arises. theyre expensive but truly a top bit of kit. No leaks in the x12 years I’ve had it fitted. Bought mine new surplus stock on eBay for a very reasonable price. Internal bore is 10mm throughout which is a bonus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderzander Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 What did you go for in the end Ross? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted June 8, 2020 Author Share Posted June 8, 2020 Funny you should bring this back up... I was only thinking the other day that I had yet to buy one! Need to have another look at the options I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 I have a couple of these reels I use in the garage. One is snaked around the roof trusses to get air across to the other side of the garage. The other is handy if I need to run an airline into the house for any reason. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Parkside-Pneumatic-Hose-Drum-20m-air-compressor-fabric-hose/302795253471 This retractable one has been very useful, but alas it seems NLA. Was only abouyt £15 when I bought it. Similaer ones are now around £35 https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-10m-air-hose-reel/p/079393167520900 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoSS Posted June 17, 2020 Share Posted June 17, 2020 I have a budget one from the local DIY, Michelin i think. Only trick is on retraction you have to coax the tube to spool properly or it doesnt retract all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/283492433185 I'm thinking of getting one of these, 10mm bore and steel frame. Would that suit you, Ross? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 That’s not a bad price! I’d need to change the connections though as I’m on PCL stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Hmm, wolf air products.... I'd steer clear probably, the fittings have laughably small holes for air to pass -think matchstick sized.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 That's a good point. I think I'll get through Amazon, and give it a thorough inspection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogMonster Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 I have one that I think came from Machine Mart, I have mounted it on the ceiling of the garage so it will go in any direction and reach all of the garage but also go outside and reach anything there. The ceiling of my garage is 3.45m high so I've got the stopper set so it retracts to just high enough that it doesn't hit either me or a vehicle when rewound, but I can reach up and grab it easily enough. The most important thing is that it's not restrictive which will completely throttle the airflow for air tools - so you want a 3/8" or 10mm one, the cheap 1/4" ones are not worth having except for (slow) tyre inflation! I've also got my old Draper 25L compressor which I can charge up and throw in the back of the vehicle for a quick tyre job, if I need a much longer hose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UdderlyOffroad Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 On 7/30/2020 at 11:01 PM, Bowie69 said: Hmm, wolf air products.... I'd steer clear probably, the fittings have laughably small holes for air to pass -think matchstick sized.... My Wolf air compressor (catalogue return - bought from ebay circa 2006) is still going strong, despite being left on for 24h once. I opened the drain cock and neglected to turn off the compressor.... But I have never found a reel thing that lasted, or at least not one below £100. I've given up and gone over to Erbauer 3/8 hose, seems to be good stuff that lasts. I just coil it up, and keep a spare length around for reaching the end of the drive. Let us know how you get on with the Wolf reel, as I'm tempted myself. I quite like the idea of the rotary coupling being externally accessible so you can maintain it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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