As a construction or manufacturing professional, working with an air hose reel can make a tremendous difference.
Imagine going about your daily job, and suddenly, the air hose reel tangles or trips you to fall. That means you might not finish your work, or you will take more time doing a task.
No wonder an air hose reel is needed to save such situations. It’s an essential safety tool for both the user and the protection of the air hoses and for creating organized workspaces.
In this article, you'll learn more about the use of an air hose reel in addition to other aspects.
Management of air hoses has really come a long way, dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Before air hoses, air-powered tools and machinery were invented in the 17th century, which relied on compressed air to operate. But then, supplying the air from the source became a challenge.
That necessitated the development of air hoses in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as an efficient supply mechanism. As air hoses were advanced to make them more useful, they were designed to be typically long for more mobility and access to far-away equipment in an industrial setting. Thanks to the existence of air hoses, industrialists could now conveniently power their pneumatic machines.
As time went by, the use of air hoses became increasingly rampant in factories, construction sites, and mines. However, the frequent tangles, rolling struggles, and annoyingly long hoses all over the place became a great concern. So, the idea of managing and securing the air hoses gave rise to the storage systems we call air hose reels.
Courtesy of smart minds and creative air hose reel developments, air hoses are well-secured and made readily accessible in this day and age. Remember the adage that necessity is the mother of all inventions? Well, it’s very evident in the outlined history of air hose management.
When you go looking for an air hose reel, you will meet distinct variations tailored to the type of application and what most users desire.
They differ in design, portability, material, color, and so much more, hence the many types of air hose reels. However, the types are narrowed down into the most common reel categories discussed below.
Manual Air Hose Reels: The manual air hose reel is physically involving, requiring you to wind the hose back on the reel by hand. They’re perfect for DIY projects and less demanding jobs, not forgetting they cater to people on a tight budget.
Retractable Air Hose Reels: This is the more convenient, quicker version. Instead of manual retraction, the reel auto-retracts the air hose quickly using springs or motor-powered mechanisms. Therefore, retractable reels are either spring-driven or motor-driven air hose reels. They are efficient for workspaces that frequently use air hoses and want to save time.
Wall-mounted Air Hose Reels: This reel type is installed on a wall, thus giving it a fixed positioning. They are especially used in shops with a dedicated workspace where saving space is a big priority.
Portable Air Hose Reels: These, on the other hand, are mobile. You can move them smoothly at a job site since they have wheels, a base, and a handle integrated into the design. They are mostly used in outdoor work areas and are ideal for multi-location projects.
These are air hose reels for super large-scale applications.
Electric Air Hose Reels: Electric hose reels run on electricity and feature an electric motor to reel up the air hose. They are well-suited for industrial settings and EV(Electric Vehicle) shops where there’s extreme user frequency.
Pneumatic Air Hose Reels: These reels use compressed air to retract the air hose, so they require a compressed air source within their vicinity. They are common in tire service centers, garages, and automotive shops.
Apart from the air hose reel types, it’s equally important to acknowledge the air hose reel structure and further internalize how it works to meet its purpose. When you choose to have one, you’re well informed, and it serves you well as expected.
In the structure of an air hose reel, these are the most significant parts:
The working of an air hose reel is heavily dependent on the retraction mechanism. Is the retraction of the air hose reel driven by a motor, spring system, or the hand crank?
Once that has been distinguished, you can figure out how it works based on that. So, during operation, it starts with setting up the air hose reel in position if it’s movable or mounting it to the wall for the wall-mounted type.
Then, the user pulls the hose as the locking system unlocks, and the air hose unwinds from the drum. The coil springs in the reel system control the tension and speed as the hose extends to the desired length.
From there, the air hose is ready to dispense air to the targeted tool or machinery. After you’ve used the hose, the tension in the coil springs rewinds it around the spool.
For motorized types, the user presses the switch button to awaken the motor. The motor unspools the air hose, allowing you to pull it out effortlessly. When you want to retract the hose, you switch the motor in reverse mode to wrap it around the spool for use the next time.
Here, you rotate the crank by hand in the instructed direction to set the air hose in dispensing motion until you reach the desired length and stop. At the time of retraction, turn the crank in the opposite direction. Simply, that’s how the manual reel type works.
Possessing an air hose reel has a plethora of perks, which we will highlight in this section.
With an air hose reel, you keep your workspace uncongested and clean, creating sufficient space for other tools and easy mobility for your staff. Air hoses lying and scattered on the floor are an eyesore, giving the feeling of a messy, cluttered working environment.
An air hose spread out on the ground is dangerous to the workers, especially in a high-activity workplace. They are likely to trip someone and fall them, and air hose reels wound the air hose in one place, eliminating unnecessary accidents.
When the air hose is neatly reeled, it’s less susceptible to tangles. Also, the air hose stays off the ground, averting wear and tear damage through abrasion and contact with sharp objects.
Storing the air hose on a reel makes it ready for use and accessible whenever a professional needs it. In fact, the retractable type, which unwinds and spools itself, is quick to use and saves time and energy spent on unwinding the hoses.
A hose on a reel enhances its service longevity. Its protection against premature wear, cuts, and abrasive grounds keeps the air hose intact. Remember, organized storage eliminates dragging the hose on the floor when you pull it.
As earlier said, air hose reels are essential in getting pneumatic work done in various professional settings. They are relevant only in jobs that necessitate the use of air hoses, as the air hose and reel function hand in hand.
No automotive shop can provide satisfactory services without compression air tools. Mechanics use paint sprayers, air grinders, and air impact wrenches, which rely on air hoses. Therefore, air reels are significant additions to garages and car repair centers, allowing for the management of hoses for a productive and safe work environment.
Similarly, in construction projects, when skyscrapers and towers are built, the on-site works involve handy air-reliant equipment. Therefore, you can’t lack air hoses in sight, and where rigorous activities take place, reels supplement the quick workflow in order to meet the day-to-day project schedule.
It’s often misconceptualized that reels are shop-and-factory-based when they are also well-suited for do-it-yourself home construction, paintworks, and even car repairs. As long as air is used, air hoses are inevitable, and air hose reels should be equally present.
Air hose reels are indispensable in factory manufacturing, whether in metal fabrication or automation processes that depend on compressed air. Also, since most factories are large establishments with complex machine set-ups, cleaning is done by blasting the surfaces with air. Hence, reels are fundamental for convenience.
As much as an air hose reel lasts a lifetime, how you take care of it determines its longevity. Here are 4 most significant care and maintenance tips that are easy to grasp and put into action:
In summary, an air hose reel is worth the convenience it offers. From creating an organized workplace and improving work efficiency to protecting air hose users, it meets the expected value. It’s of great assistance at a work site when handling air hoses.
We must not forget that the air hose reel, if taken care of well, can last for more than a decade. Plan and make the purchase to enjoy the effortless experience it will bring to your DIY home garage.