Compressor hose size

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plumkrazee70

plumkrazee70

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I just got a 80 Gallon 5 HP Ingersoll Rand compressor.15.9 cfm @90psi.

It has a 1/2 inch ball valve off the compressor. I ordered a regulator/filter in the same size. My question is do I need 1/2 inch hose or is 3/8 OK? I will be using my blast cabinet and air tools.
 
Depending on how long the hose is. You may want to go up in size for long runs, especially if you're using max capacity
 
...or down a size to keep pressure.
 
"depends"

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if you running very long ways, or running 3/4 impact, use 1/2" heavy big air grinder, ditto. use short 3/8 on tool end for flex, whip
 
Thank you for all the replies. One other quick question: do I just put a reducer on the end of the regulator to go from 1/2" to 3/8" and stick my quick disconnect there?
 
Yes a reducer is fine. I do the same thing, and 50ft of 3/8 hose with no problems.
 
the one thing you did not say is what size fittings you are using on your air tools. If you use the small 1/4" fittings then it really does not matter. Remember the air system is limited by its smallest openings.
 
blk00rt said:
the one thing you did not say is what size fittings you are using on your air tools. If you use the small 1/4" fittings then it really does not matter. Remember the air system is limited by its smallest openings.
Click to expand...

I don't what size fittings the air tools have actually. I just bought the standard fittings from lowes. Currently I am using a standars 3/8 hose.
 
blk00rt said:
the one thing you did not say is what size fittings you are using on your air tools. If you use the small 1/4" fittings then it really does not matter. Remember the air system is limited by its smallest openings.
Click to expand...

this ain't true. 50 ft of 1/4 hose is a lot more restriction eggsample, as opposed to 50' 3/8 hose and 1/4 fittings
 
Get yourself some 1/2" black pipe and do at least a couple of runs off compressor. I used -8 or 1/2 hydralic hose between compressor and pipe. It is over 20 years old and still fine. I did install another ball valve at pipe to be able to shut air off. I do not turn power off to compressor. When I need air I don't want to wait.
Use the shorter air hoses or a hose real in the middle of the ceiling. A hose that hangs has more reach without dragging floor. Put compressor in a outside shed to cut down on noise or put into a corner, build a wall around it then put a vent to outside. Noise inside will give you a headache and later hearing loss like me.
You need a hose connection right by door. You will find you need every inch of hose for something in driveway. I have used all of my 200' to reach something out back.

Nice air compressor, good choice
 
If adding a run drill a hole in the wall and run an outside coupler. You would be shocked to know how many times that one will be used.
 
DDodger said:
this ain't true. 50 ft of 1/4 hose is a lot more restriction eggsample, as opposed to 50' 3/8 hose and 1/4 fittings
Click to expand...

The fittings play a role in the amount of air that is going into your tools. The hose does play some however, a large hose on a small opening acts more like a surge tank. The smallest opening in your system is going to dictate how much air can flow though a certain area. When you start running your tools the smallest opening is going to dictate how much air is going to move past any point. The rest just becomes surge tanks. If you run a 1/2 hose and only have 1/4" opening on your fittings not matter what you do, you are limiting your air flow. Most hardware store fittings are 1/4" or if you are lucky you can buy the 3/8" openings. The 3/8" fittings are the ones that I was always told to use for better performance of air tools and have found it to be true.
 
i'm not sayin 1/4 fittings don't restrict. what i'm sayin is that 1/4 fittings are not the restriction. friction in the air hose walls are the restriction. there might well be, like runnin a 3/4 impact etc where the 1/4 fittings are the restriction.

ta put this differnt a 3/8 hose with 1/4 end fitting flows one hell of a lot more air than with a 1/4 hose.

a 1/2 hose with a 1/4 end fitting flows restricts even less if the hose is long enough that the 3/8 hose becomes a restriction. what i'm tryin to say is the 1/4 fittings used on normal air tools ain't the problem. it's the hose. "its the economy."
 
I cut the nipple out of my compressor tank and went with 1 1/4". Then I ran 1 1/4" PVC all through my shop to the regulators then standard 3/8" hose with 1/4" NPT. I use 1/2" hose and 1/2" NPT for my canister blaster.
 
Don't forget to put in drain cocks. Especially on the compressor tank. The compressed air has condensation in it and you have to drain the tank/lines periodically so the water doesn't build up and rust out your tank and lines.... :pale:

Crack the drain **** open at least once a month to let the water out. We used to drain our compressor every night at the 10 min oil change I worked at in high school. You could see the puddle of water coming out after opening the drain ****.... #-o
 
this works well for me. You can connect a small short whip line for air guns
 

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