Air Hose Retractable Reel - How To Make a Chose
Air tools, like nail guns, staplers, pneumatic wrenches, and the like, give extra power to your work. Whether you are an industry professional in a grease bay or driving around your service truck, or a simple DIY-er, buying an air hose retractable reel can make your job a lot more convenient.
There are several models of retractable reel air hoses out there. One popular brand is Legacy. They offer two models which may be of interest, each with its pros and cons. One is its L8310 Levelwind Retractable Air Hose Reel, which comes with a 100-ft. PVC hose. This air hose reel has a three-foot leader hose, so keep that in mind as you consider your shop needs.
But if the length works out for you, it has several features to recommend it, including the “Levelwind” technology which winds the hose up evenly across the reel, allowing for a smooth and easy coil. The hose stopper function allows you to select the amount of hose you want to remain loose when the hose is fully retracted – you can choose to have it fully wound up, or leave out a few or even several feet of length for easy access. And as for pull-out, its latching mode switch allows you to feel the hose latched every three feet, or run freely.
Although it is made of PVC and PP (plastic), it is made in America and is generally quite durable, though a few consumers have reported receiving their retractable reel air hose with defects. It can be mounted on a wall or ceiling, or free-standing; it has a built-in handle to make it easier to carry. Perhaps its most recommending features is the price – around $120 for 100 feet of hose. That’s pretty difficult to match.
Another option, for those looking for a heavy-duty air hose with retractable reel, is to purchase Legacy’s L8611 model. This retractable reel air hose is made with heavy-duty steel, including an all-welded steel drum. Weep holes on the edge of the drum help prevent rust, making it an excellent choice for outside/mobile installations; this is also enhanced by its dual-supported axle, which helps the unit to withstand vibration. The drum itself is narrow (taller than it is wide), which is ideal for most setups.
The main issue with this hose is that it is 50 feet long – which seems like very little when compared to the previous profiled model, but is still quite a respectable length. It goes for around $70, so the price is definitely proportional. There is also the matter of the weight of the unit – if you are installing it on a wall or ceiling, make sure you mount it to at least a 2x8. But if you can handle the weight of the unit, this is definitely a rugged model that will serve you for years.