Retractable hose reel for air compressor

[kevm14]

Recall I bought this on sale/coupon for $60.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-5 ... 93897.html

Now I have I installed it.

Approach to hang:
- Cut scrap 2x8 to 14-3/8" which is the width between two 2x4 wall studs (well it was on mine)
- Mark mounting holes from reel on wood
- Drill out holes to 1/2" and then egg out to give the bolts a little play
- Get carriage bolts. 1/2" x 2-1/2" long, washers, nuts.
- I had to drill out the holes of the reel to accept the 1/2" bolts, even though the instructions called for a 1/2" bolt to install. If I used some kind of lag it would have probably just cut its way through but I elected to do through bolts and the holes didn't let a 1/2" bolt freely pass through. Got to try my new HF bits and they seemed to work well.
- Once the carriage bolts were loosely in place, I held up the wood to the studs, and used 8 3" deck screws (Deckmate, T-25), 4 per side
- Then I held up the reel which is a bit heavy and awkward long enough to get a washer and nut started.
- Install all washers and nuts. Tighten with 3/4" wrench until carriage bolt seats against wood and torque goes way up.

I removed the old female quick connect from my old hose end which was actually failed after all these years. I bought a new I/M style which happened to match what I had before. I threaded that on the new hose. I ended up threading my old hose directly into the side of the reel. Eventually I will add quick disconnect fittings but it's fine for now. I should get a short hose to go from the air compressor to the reel because right now I have my long 50' hose (for a total of 100' now) which is sort of a waste and also adds restriction (if I did anything other than inflate tires or blow air).

Wood mount cut and screwed in, with carriage bolts loosely in place.

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Tightened and ready.

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I tried it a few times and it works great. It is amazing to let it retract itself. You have to walk the hose in obviously (you can't just let it go) but it coils nicely on the roll and pulls in the whole way. Nothing to coil up on the floor. Wow, this is really something. Very pleased.

[kevm14]

Oh look. Perfect.

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-x-8 ... 60356.html

[kevm14]

So after the air fitting research I looked at the Harbor Freight reviews for the reel. Sure enough...

Verry good for the price, the conect is loose add a spacer!
Workes well. You can drill out the fittings for more flow!!!!
Bill
August 25, 2018

I like it very much just wished the fitting was bigger where you attach the supply line to. Its too small and restricts the air flow. Which cut my air tools power in half cause it cant flow enought air so kind of bummer. otherwise it was great so far.
justin
May 8, 2018

Nice reel-I purchased two of these for my shop.
I would now buy a third or fourth one if necessary for my space requirements. The hose pulls out and retracts easily. With two reels, there is nowhere in my shop that I don't have access to air.The only thing I'd change is the 1/4" air inlet; I'd like to see that be 3/8", but it hasn't seemed to limit my air flow needs thus far.

So when I get my short hose I will take apart the slip ring connection and see if I can drill out the passages like these folks say. Otherwise my other option is just to use the black hose for high flow air tools but that seems a little weak considering I just got the reel...

[kevm14]

I got my short hose. And as promised, I removed the slip ring and took it apart. It had a snap ring holding the two pieces together. Inside there are two O-rings.

I drilled out all passages as far as I felt comfortable basically.

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I blew all the brass shavings off with my other hose. Then for lube I used some silicone-based brake caliper pin lube. Hopefully that holds up. The joint spins with the reel so the O-rings certainly can't be dry in there. They had some kind of stuff but that all got blown away when I blew off the shavings.

Hazy picture.

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Clearer picture.

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The hose remnant was a nice length.

I stuck a fitting in the end of the hose and turned on the air. It seemed to come out pretty quickly. Maybe it flows enough now for whatever air tool I end up with. And if I really run into an issue, I can always just plug in the black hose and use that.