Retractable Hose Reel

[BostonSVkid]

HI Everyone
I am sure some of you own these or work with them regularly. I am sick of pulling out my air hose when I am adding air to the tire in the garage. Can anyone suggest a product they are using that won't break the bank but isn't from Lowes (the reviews on the Lowes brand are terrible). I know of really good ones that are $300+ but I would rather spend close to $100. I know I know you get what you pay for but there is always a deal out there.

[MattR302]

Ive got a smaller, portable compressor on wheels, but I got one of those 25' coiled hoses since I was sick of pulling out the big hose all the time. I can't remember the last time I used the regular hose.

[golden chicken]

Flexzilla @ sears.

I was sick of the rubber hoses at work periodically bursting from oil contamination or from being dragged across the floor so I bought a 50 ft reel I think for $180?

Used it every day for the past 3 years.

[TheIglu]

I just installed the $78 one (or less, depending on the sale) from Harbor Freight. 50' of hose, self retracting.

Seems fine to me, but I haven't hooked it up to the compressor yet.

[xrocket21]

I have a harbor freight one. I use a ball valve between the compressor and the reel, they kinda all leak to some degree at some point. It is easier to just shut the ball valve off.

[OneCheekRider]

Zilla Reel or Flexzilla or whatever it's called: Amazon.com: Legacy L825FZ Zilla Reel 3/8"x5' Enclosed Plastic Air Reel: Automotive
While I don't own the air reel yet, I currently use the extension cord reel from them just about every day. Love it.

[tls25rs]

Harbor Freight's latest circular has their hose reels for a reasonable price. No idea of the quality but xrocket21 has a good idea with the ball valve shut off.

[golden chicken]

If you keep oil off them and don't drag them through dirt, they should last a while.

Since I used my zilla reel every day, I wish I had ponied up fr the open reel as opposed to the enclosed one. The enclosed on gathers dirt if you don't wipe off the hose as it retracts.

That said, it's been faithful for 3 years in a professional environment. I've dragged it through all manner of automotive fluids and welded and used a torch above it.

I recommend against the plastic coils since my boss had one explode in his face once.