Cheap Retractable Air Hose?

[geoffsurf]

I thought it best to get a retractable air hose. There are these cheap ones on ebay, for around £50 it seems worth it if it will be alright. Has anyone had any experience with these cheap air hose reals?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15M-AIRLINE-A.../120592787245?pt=UK_Air_Tools_and_Compressors

All these diamater hoses seem to come with 1/4 inch fittings. If I am trying to maximise air and use 1/2 inch fittings around my regulator do I need to cut the 1/4 inch fittings off and fix my own 1/2 inch ones on or do 1/2 inch ones screw onto the 1/4 male threaded ends?

 

[shenion]

unless you use 1/2" hose, 1/2" fitting wont make a big difference.

Just use a 1/2 to 1/4 reducer.

I have 1/2" line running to my reg them 3/8" hose from there.

My hose reel is at the far end of the garage from the compressor. I have a separate regulator/trap to run the reel. The reel is for general use and spraying. By the bench i have a reg/filter/oiler/trap to run air tools.

 

[geoffsurf]

For some reason I'm getting so confused on the best setup for my compessor. I'm not sure how I can combine the right fittings with the right hose with the right regulator.

Can someone maybe break it down into what sizes I need for each element, hose, fittings, regulator.

 

[brightspark]

to be honest i dont like using long retractable air hoses they reduce the flow of air and build up water in the wound up coils 1/2inch airhose is the best to use with quick conector on the end .then short 3/8 whip tails to the tools using pcl fittings which are more flexible and arent cumbersome

 

[geoffsurf]

Is there no way of going from 1/2" diamater airhose, straight to PCL 1/4" fittings? (without having loads of converters that make a large area to the tool rigid) So cutting out the need for a whiptail, I don't really want the extra fittings with a whip tail as I know its going to damage the area I'm working on etc. I also am working in small area so don't need such a long air line. I also can't find many places selling 1/2" rubber airhose?? Even snapon and bluepoint don't seem to do 1/2" hose, I am wondering if I am going OTT for hobby use, or whether it is a good idea to have the best set up regardless.

I'm not used to non metric measurments so I keep doing conversions and trying to work out things. I think I'm driving myself screwball because I'm now totally confused,

 

[awemawson]

I have three retractable reels in my workshop, and two of them will only rewind when depressurised unless it is a very warm day !!!

 

[scarecrow]

i have one of thees
60euro form a car boot sale and no probs wouldn't be without one