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Hi there F14. My recommendation for air hose would be Parker #831. This is an excellent black, rubber hose with available Push-Loc fittings that are extremely easy to install. The 3/8" size has a recommended max working pressure of 300 psig. I have 20 feet of this hose that I have used for well over 10 years in fairly rough service. It is extremely flexible, oil-proof, and coils easily, even in very cold weather. It doesn't split or crack like the cheapos do after about a year. It is expensive (was $2.40/ft when I bought it) but well worth it. I have tried the coiled plastic hoses but dislike them for general use. About the only application I would consider those for is an overhead connection supplying a tool on a workbench where the coiled hose would, for the most part, be up out of the way and not subject to getting stepped on or otherwise getting tangled up in stuff. Give me a good quality rubber hose any day, even if it is underfoot at times :o). I also have a couple of 25 ft lengths of made up plastic hose (uncoiled) that is commonly used to supply pneumatic nailers that carpenters use. It was rather inexpensive as I recall. I use that if I have to extend my compressed air line way outside my inside work area on rare occaisions. They do not take the place of my Parker hose though. That is my old faithfull standby. I would recommend a 3/8" hose for general purpose use with a six foot leader of 1/4" hose at the tool end for most tools...this makes it a little easier to handle in tight places like an engine compartment. I also use a 1/4" drive pneumatic ratchet and a die grinder quite a bit. The 1/4" leader hose is great for these small tools. Rod
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