Air Hose Size & Fittings, Help Needed

mitch_04

Learnin'
Hi everyone,
I'm setting up a simple air setup in the backroom of my fathers shop. Running a Milton Filter prior to an Aquachek and then a regulator. I'd like some recommendations on fittings.

1. I like Flexilla hose, should I step up to the 1/2 hose?
2. Fittings, are 1/4 NPT enough for 1/2" hose or step up to 3/8 NPT?
3. Is there any difference between Flexilla high flow fittings and Milton V-series? Which would you chose and why?

Let me know what you think and why!
 
My opinion would be it depends what the main use would be for. Anything short of a dedicated paint booth the standard 3/8 hose would be fine with standard fittings. Alot of dedicated booths still run standard sizes and run fine but if going with true hvlp guns then the bigger lines are needed. Flex zillow hoses are very nice and flexible even cold (frozen) and under pressure, I have them and the copies (can't remember the manuf.) The only issue I have is they can trip you when stepped on, they can coil up around your feet, so careful there.

Those wall hanging retractable hose reels would be really nice with them if you had the wall space and would be a real cool addition to keeping a clean floor free of a tripping hazard. Harbor Freight sells the reels if cost is an issue Lowe's also has their Kobalt hoses like Flexzilla on a reel too.
 
Standard 3/8" hose is good for a MAX of 100' from the wall, better to keep it at 50'. High flow fittings make a difference in CFM delivered to your gun. If your gun is an air hog (like most good ones are) you will need them. All other components in the line (filters, regulators, and shuch) should be rated for greater than the CFM of the gun you are going to use.
 
how many wheel barrow wheels have you thrown away ? hang one just below the ceiling and a booth hose can be stored with only 3 loops. flexzilla is nice but if you step on them it will shut off your air .
 
The only issue I have is they can trip you when stepped on, they can coil up around your feet, so careful there.

They're like a python!
 
i lay out my hose before spraying. only takes a min. slap a finish coat with a hose coil a few times and you learn to really pay attention to your hose .
 
I have an Iwata LPH400 for a gun. So the general consensus is 3/8 hose will be fine and go with high flow fittings, if I'm reading correctly.

Does anyone have experience or preferences on Flexilla high flow couplers vs Milton V series?
 
i love the flexzilla hoses. ive had one in my booth and a couple in the shop for a few years now. im not sure but i think aae might be thinking about flexeel hoses. those are the polyurethane hoses that lover to coil up. flexzilla hoses lay flatter than any other hose i have except my nice one made from aeroquip line lol. you wouldnt want ot buy one of those though. for fittings, i dont use any high flow. never had any issue so long as you run full psi to the gun and regulate at the gun. i know everyone say to use high flow but i guess i always thought if it aint broke dont fix it. not to mention that i spray at other facilities alot so i need common air fittings. whatever fittings you choose just be sure you get steel ones. brass and aluminum suck. you'll be changing them every month because they wear. i even wear out steel ones. lol. i have a bunch of the dynabrade push to lock ends. those are nice and really last alot longer than the steel ones from home depot.
 
When I set up my garage with air, I used all flexzilla 3/8 hose with 3/8 NPT fittings, and Milton V high flow. Just for peace of mind.
 
Because I put 1/2-inch hard lines in the garage, I replaced the 3/8-inch hoses with 1/2-inch Flexzilla. A 25- or 50-foot 1/2-inch Flexzilla will replace the 3/8-inch hose that comes with the reel (mine were from Costco and Harbor Freight). The bigger ID hose takes up a bit more space but they are lighter and don't start cracking the day after you buy them. Also used Milton V-Series high flow fittings. The hose going up the wall from the compressor connects to the 1/2-inch copper line that goes across the garage to the 25-foot reel over the third bay.
25-Foot Reel Original Hose.jpg
25-Foot Reel Flexzilla Hose.jpg

50-foot Hose Reel Original Hose.jpg
50-foot Hose Reel Flexzilla Hose.jpg
 
I ended up going with the Flexzilla high flow fittings. I figured I might as well, can't hurt anything but the wallet. In the backroom of my fathers shop, I went with a 1/2" hose. At my shop I'm keeping my 3/8" hoses for now, maybe down the road they will get bumped to 1/2" but for now it should be fine. I measured the inside of the fitting to be right around .3, they push to connect with no need to pop the collar. It will be interesting to see how well they hold up, I'm making it a point to treat them like any other hose fitting (not babied). Time will tell!
 
mitch, are the flexzilla fittings aluminum? i seem to remember seeing them somewhere and they looked like aluminum but were in a package so i couldnt tell.
 
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