Harbor Freight 50 foot Hose Reel Review, Installation and Repair Instruction
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ม.ค. 2025
- Harbor Freight 50 Foot Retractable Air Hose Reel Long Term Review and Installation instructions, plus Repair and Maintenance Instructions. I show you the most common problems or issues this Hose Reel has and how to fix them yourself for cheap.
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In this video I give you a long term review of the Harbor Freight 50 foot retractable air hose. I have owned and used this hose reel for 2 years and I go into detail about the good and BAD about it. If you have one of these or are thinking about purchasing one, comment below and tell me your experience with it or ask me any questions and I can tell you more about the ownership experience with this product.
can i make this to be water garden hose...what ur thoughts.....i dislike the plastic hose reel they sell...tnx
@@TheSAMMY79 Sure you can. You would just have to change the fittings to suit a garden hose, but the reel would work just fine. In fact in the Walmart garden departments they use metal reels just like this for watering the plants. Check them out the next time you visit a Walmart.
I've had a Harbor Freight unit like this for at least 15 yrs, maybe 20. It has never leaked nor needed new O rings. I don't leave it pressurized; I turn off the compressor when I'm done. The hose started cracking a few yrs ago, and I cut off a foot or two and put a new fitting on it. I finally replaced the hose today with another hose from HF. Be sure to get the premium hose. Connecting it to the reel was a challenge since I couldn't find correct fitting @ HF and it was even a challenge at Ace Hardware.
thanks for that video, you're spot on about the leak, I didn't know better and kept tightening till no hissing sound. if I had known, you could disassemble that part and replace it with o-ring, I would need to buy another. this time, i might try something else online. not sure, if I should go back to the same brand. again, your video was great! deserved 100 million likes!
Thanks for the review. The O-rings were bad on mine. I knew what and where they were but couldn't get it apart. I had given up and was tossing it until I saw this. You convinced me to keep at it. It's now fixed and back in service. Thanks again!
Oh my, at 3:12 I chuckled my buckle when I saw the "fabricated" mounting bracket...an old shelf support it looks to be, bent at a 90 degree angle. I don't know why I laughed so hard, I suppose hearing the words "fabricated" and then seeing that perhaps. At any rate, I am not poking fun at your ideas as they are solid and get the job done. And I looked to your video for tips, I appreciate that. So, thank you...I just had to say I needed that laugh especially in a time like we are all going through now. Great work, be safe.
Thanks for letting us know how it holds up. Just saw it on sale for $60 with a coupon, Will be picking this up along with that box of O rings tomorrow!
I didn't see you mention the elbow you installed on the inlet. I installed the hose straight into the inlet, and after a while, it got worn out from hanging down. I just got a brass 1/4" street elbow to put on it to take the bend out of it.
By the way, it's not advisable to use galvanized pipe for air lines, for the same reason it should never be used in LP or natural gas lines. The zinc on the inside will flake off in time, possibly causing problems downstream.
That was just a quick fix that I added and it could be swapped to a brass or copper fitting any time. If I used it all the time I would be concerned but I have actually started to use more and more battery powered tools now so the compressor sits unused most of the time.
My want retract
The Clock Spring inside has probably unwound. You can open it up carefully and rewind it. There are videos that show you how to do that. Doesn't matter which brand they show in the video, they're all made the same way.
7 YEAR REVIEW: I'm happy. Mounted it on the wall next to a south facing window. I have a shutoff at the tank so the hose is not always pressurized. The OEM red hose lasted about 5 years before I elected to replace it... wasn't leaking but it was cracked; maybe it was the sunlight. I just put a $20 black HF hose on it and after 2 years with that it is still fine. Money well spent, I use it a lot.
I've had this unit for over 10 years in my woodworking shop and I'm just now replacing the air hose. So I put a new rubber hose on the unit and for the first time I have a leak in the O rings. I was about to buy a new fitting but I'll try replacing the O rings first.
Yes, replace the O rings, and be careful when reassembling. There is a sweet spot where you need to stop. Not too loose and DO NOT over tighten or you crush them. If you go to far, just back it off slowly and use soapy water to test for leaks as you go.
@@ModernDIYProjects I had a heck of a time getting the fitting off. I finally got it by putting a vise grips on the small protrusion right next to the steel body. When I put a wrench on the opposite side it would just turn the ratchet spring. Unfortunately when I installed the new hose the other day I must have over tightened the hose because I discovered that the outer body was cracked so I will have to buy a new swivel fitting. Hope this helps someone else.
@@sandmandave2008 Thanks, I'm sure it will help someone. That part you removed is brass so it's a soft metal. It's been a while since I replaced mine but IIRC I think I used two flat head screwdrivers as wedges to get it out. You're right it can be difficult cause the O rings hold it in tightly.
@@ModernDIYProjects Actually on mine the insert sits in as far is it can go and is held in place by a snap ring. The inside slid out easily as after over 10 years of use they were worn and I might have had a leak there already. It took some force to reassemble it with the new O rings in place but that's when I discovered the crack along the threads where the new air hose connects. The problem was getting the whole swivel fitting off the unit to get to the O rings. The only one I could find was on Amazon and I might have to get reducers for 3/8 to 1/4 NPT.
@@sandmandave2008 I see. I have reducers on mine already, so I know what you mean. I'm sure this new fitting is a LOT cheaper than buying the entire hose reel again. Also, a quick tip for you and everyone else. When setting new O rings in place as part of reassembling, coat them with dish washing soap (or soapy water). It acts as a lubricant and make assembly so much easier.
I am thinking of getting one of these for my overlander so I can have said retractable air line for my on-board air! I have a fortress 2 gallon 135 psi air compressor(sku: 64596, Model: FT2135UQ) connected to a 1500 watt(continuous not peak, plus don't quite remember which one due too it's kinda hidden out of view with a remote plug so) pure sine inverter for power! Just tired of having to roll up an old 25 footer by hand(not even on a reel) thanks for the video(even though this video is 2+ years old)
I still have this reel so I can totally help you. It would do the job just fine for you, but I would suggest since you are traveling around you may want to consider the weight. They do make a 25 ft version of this which is cheaper and probably lighter in weight. Just a suggestion since I know on the road weight and payload can be an issue.
😅great review as always 👀👍👍👍👍👍
Great video. I would have never have thought of mounting that under my bench. Odd how we sometimes miss the simple solutions.
I found the manual reel leaked quickly so when I replaced the O ring, I lubed it with a little lithium grease and it's been 2 or 3 years, maybe more and it almost needs a new set now. I just, finally, got this reel so that manual one will only store my spare air hoses neatly and maybe be used inline when I need to go beyond the range of this unit. I will wait to see if this O ring fails and do the same if it does.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks on the O-Ring tip. I was going to go buy a new one and return the 2yr old one that's leaking. These should last longer than 2 yrs. Especially if I'm only pulling the hose out maybe once a month.
What an outstanding review friend. Thank you.
Mine is a couple years old and the hose is junk and it hasn't been exposed to oil and the outer cover is coming off, but no issues otherwise. Im going to replace the hose with a good quality goodyear or something along those lines. Overall Im happy too. After all a good hose will cost you as much as the whole unit so you cant expect to much but it has exceeded my expectations.
Any idea if I can put my own hose in it? I have a 3/8" hose already that I am sure is better quality than the hose that comes with this one.
Yes you can. The hose can easily be swapped out with any other hose you want to use.
Was wondering about this reel but after watching your mighty fine review, I'm picking one up on my next HF trip. Thanks. Also, thanks for detailing swivel leak o-ring repair.
thanks for the advice on the air leak. I have been having mine for about 14yrs with no problems at all. It just started leaking this week , and didnt know how to fix it. Thats a great help , thanks
I bought one of these a month ago, but only now am going to install it. Thanks for the review and mounting and maintenance tips.
I have same.one.had for 2or3years replaced hose.about.ayear ago.other day i.pull.out hose.and it just.pulls.out.wont.rewind.
That is because the clock spring has either broken or come unwound. You can open up the housing and rewind the clock spring if it is still good. There are many video on YT that show you how to do that.
Hehe @ soft and supple
Great video man. Way too many reviews on TH-cam and online they had it for 2 hrs to 2 weeks. No reliability reviews. Thanks a bunch!
Great job on the extra mounting points. I bought one just recently and have not set it up yet, but I could see it might need a bit more support than just the back flange. Thanks for the idea.
lube the o-rings with petroleum jelly/vaseline and they should last longer(what I use to use refilling fire extinguishers)
Can I use this for my garden hose?
With modification to the end connectors, yes you could. In fact if you go to any Walmart Garden center they use these same types of hose reels for watering their plants. Probably different manufacturer and hose, but you get the idea.
@@ModernDIYProjects Thank you sir. I found that using the reel from Air hose is the most reliable one rather those existing cheapy in the market now "Retractable water hose" ...it deems to failure anywhere 6-12 months!!
Thank you!
That is a very good location I must admit I didnt think of it.
That is a very convenient location. Nice review!
✔Good job on the reel review and Harbor Freight commercial. 🤣
i had this one for over 8 years, the retraction broke on me after 6 years.
It is not that hard to repair. The clock spring probably just got loose and unwound. You can open it up and rewind it just like you do a pull start on a lawn mower.
I have this real. Just installed it overhead. I'm having trouble with the spring retracting the last 6 feet or so. Any tips on what the issue could be? The short distance you reeled out and it retracted in your video... if I only reeled it that much, I have to manually reel it the rest of the way
It seems that your clock spring is out of whack. Look at your owners manual, or if you don't have one go to HF and download the PDF from their sales page for this item. It has a section on how to adjust the spring tension. It's quite easy to do, and should fix your problem.
Modern DIY Projects Yup, that was it. Works like a charm now! Thanks!! Who knew the manual actually had useful information??? :-)
How do you repair when the hose won’t retract?
That means the clock spring has become unwound. Download the owners manual from Harbor Freight it has instructions on how to rewind the spring.
I replaced the o rings and I still have a small leak. Any ideas of what to do from here?
Yeah, it can be tricky. Try these steps. First go back and make sure it's not too tight or too loose. I found that there is a sweet spot of just the right pressure. Try some Teflon tape on the connections. Also have a dedicated short hose connected to the inlet from your compressor. The longer the hose the more it can move around and jiggle the connections. Also, did you replace BOTH O-rings? Mine has two o-rings. One in front of the hip joint and one behind it.
@@ModernDIYProjects Is thread tape the same as Teflon tape? I did replace both O-rings. I actually used windex to spray on the connections and it's not leaking from the hose to the hose reel. Just the O-ring closest to the reel (inside one). I could see the windex bubbling. I'll try to replace it again tomorrow. Too frustrated today. Thank you for the response so quickly.
Awesome video, one question, I have the same unit and i was going to place it on top of garage next to my same compressor, but i like your idea better, the piece that attaches to the reel and the hose to your compressor, How do i purchase it and attach it? Does ti==it come with it?
All those are extra bits you need to purchase separately. The reel stops at the brass fitting. Everything after that I added.
What did you use to attach it to the 2x6 and what size did you use? Thanks!
I used 2 1/2 inch lag bolts coming from the back and heads recessed into the 2x6 so it would sit flush against the wall, then nuts screwed on from the front.
Great video,
What kind of bolt you was use to mount it ?
First I used 3" Carriage bolts with nuts to secure the reel to the 2X6, then I used 5 or 6 " wood lags to secure the 2x6 to the wall stud. Probably more than what it needed but I always believe in over kill. 😄
What do you clean the hose with...You said clean it if it gets grease/oil on it... My first instinct was Laquer thinner...but I'm an ex body-man
I generally just give a quick wipe with gasoline since I have that handy. I don't know if laquer thinner might be a little too harsh where it might eat up the plastic, but I could be wrong. Don't use laquer thinner much to say with confidence.
@@ModernDIYProjects Gasoline!!!! Holy Crap Gasoline dries out and cracks rubber hoses like crazy.... it won't happen right away but its definitely not something you want to apply to a rubber hose.
Really enjoyed your video on the hose reel. Superb idea on mounting it the way you did. Great overall review. Appreciate you sharing it.
I should have mentioned that generally I wipe it off after I'm done with soapy water to get the gasoline residue off. You just cant get the greasy stuff off with just soapy water so gas is a must in some cases.