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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: jameslee on January 08, 2017, 08:40:55 pm

Title: Thin and flexible air hoses?
Post by: jameslee on January 08, 2017, 08:40:55 pm
Hello,

We currently use the flexzilla 1/4 hoses which are very durable and pretty flexible, but a bit on the thick side. They call it 1/4" but it is more like 1/2". (Maybe the 1/4" stands for the inner diameter?)

I wonder if anyone has a suggestion for a really really really skinny and flexible air hose. Sort of like the spiral hoses (http://www.123rf.com/photo_22436808_orange-red-thin-spiral-air-hose-used-for-pneumatic-tools.html) but without the spiral, and very flexible, and not made of a material that will break like the cheap spiral hoses do! Ideally it would almost be floppy, and can handle only the psi necessary to operate a stapler.

The reason we want such a hose is for ease of movement, etc.

Thanks for any suggestions!

James
Title: Re: Thin and flexible air hoses?
Post by: MinUph on January 09, 2017, 02:46:14 am
The smallest hoses I have are from sears. They came with my small 1 hp compressor. They are orange braided hose. I dont see them listed online right now but they do have 1/4" and 1/2" hoses. They handle enough air for most anything I have used through the years.
Title: Re: Thin and flexible air hoses?
Post by: gene on January 09, 2017, 05:48:40 am
I have a pvc, rubber, and polyurethane air hose. The rubber is by far more flexible.

I use the polyurethane all the time because that was the first one I got and I'm used to it. It stretches across my floor and it feels more durable probably because it's a bit stiffer, but I don't think the rubber hose would be that much different in terms of durability. The pvc is a 1/4" that came with my portable compressor. I only use the pvc hose with the portable and it is more stiff than the other two even though it's a thinner hose.

You can check all three out at homedepot. 3/8" rubber sounds like what you might be after.

Here's an article that talks about the 3 of them.

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/uncategorized/rubber-vs-pvc-air-compressor-hoses/

gene
Title: Re: Thin and flexible air hoses?
Post by: 65Buick on January 09, 2017, 07:03:34 pm
I got one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-hoses/14-in-x-25-ft-polyurethane-air-hose-60353.html

I found it to be actually quite a good hose. Pretty cheap and available in longer lengths, at my store at least.