3 8 vs 1 2 air hose

Couple days away from firing up my quincy compressor. Just need to figure out wiring to motor starter. Been looking at cox and reelcraft. I want maximum flow possible but is 1/2" Id just rediculous for a shade tree mechanic/garage guy?
Are there high flow fittings i can use with a 3/8" ID hose that will improve air flow enough to disregard considering 1/2" ID?

The OD is 3/4" on the 1/2" OD hose. Not sure if its worth it. Thanks !

What exactly are you planning to use the air for ? I only have 3/8 lines at my business and they do everything we need. I cant imagine needing 1/2" for anything.

I only have 3/8" hoses and I don't have any issues.. Then again, I'm not using DA sander or sandblasting.. It depends on what you are doing I suppose.

Folks will be along shortly to to say that you should just go ahead and install a 1" loop with 3/4" drops, "just in case"

1/2" hose will get annoying pretty quick.

I have 3/8" on my main hose reel, and plumbed in a second QD for a short 1/2" hose I have, in case I needed more flow. Ive never used it.

All my air tools are designed for 1/4 and 3/8 air flow. The only place I use larger is on my big pressure tank sand blaster. !/2" hose is too large for general usage and is too awkward for general tools. I use a 1/4" hose for spray painting and blowing off the work benches, it's light and easy to use when dragging it around the shop.

1/4" is tiny! Filling basket balls and blowing ants off the cement drive.
5/16" is fair/average for DIY'er for 25/50' and most light CFM tools.
3/8" is good for 50' and covers most anything but a sandblaster/H-duty CFM tools ect!

Almost all my pneumatic tools run on 1/4" hose and fittings. I've got a 3/8" drop for the few tools that need a higher flow rate like my big impact. It depends more on the quality and efficiency of your tools than the air volume alone. HarborFreight pneumatic tools are notoriously inefficient and will benefit from the larger volume. You won't be running down to the local hardware store to buy fittings for 1/2" air line and it's way too cumbersome to work with.

As people have said, it all depends on what you want to do. Using a 3/4" impact or doing long runs? 1/2" hose will help.

The only time I have seen a requirement for a 1/2" line for vehicle maint is if you are using High volume tools. Sand blaster, some sanders, 3/4" and 1" impact.

That seals the deal then. I'll buy a cox 3/8" Id x 50 reel and call it a day.

THANKS

I do a lot of crawler tractor track work and use a 1/2" hose ONLY on my 3/4" IR Impact. If it won't unscrew, then it will twist the bolt in half! 3/8" hose on the 1/2" IR Impact. Volume/Pressure equals Power!
Everything else I use 1/4" hose as its more practical!

I couldn't imagine trying to deal with 1/2 hose. I've used 3/8 @ 50ft for years with air tools (1/2 impacts, die grinders, cut-off wheels, etc) and it is more than sufficient.

3/8 for it all, 1/4 will run some of the really small rotary tools but with 3/8 one size does it all.

I just re-did my air compressor fittings and this is what I used, Milton type V High Flow. Got them from Northern Tools.

Haven't used it yet - been way too cold - but I'm hoping it ups the performance of my air tools. Just looking at the type V air hole size vs. the no-name I had before, they look impressive.

1/4" is tiny! Filling basket balls and blowing ants off the cement drive.
5/16" is fair/average for DIY'er for 25/50' and most light CFM tools.
3/8" is good for 50' and covers most anything but a sandblaster/H-duty CFM tools ect!

I've got a 50' 1/4" hose for my nail guns. Works great when trimming a house or installing hardwood floor. Much less cumbersome than my 3/8" hoses and less chance of hitting something and damaging it.

Same advise here as far as 3/8" hose doing the job for most uses. I do have 1/2" hose and V fittings for my HVLP spray guns. That is the only use that big hose gets. Spraying paint. Everything else runs just fine off the 3/8th's.
Mark

No need for 1/2" hose, more volume to fill to maintain the same pressure for no reason.

I have worked in plenty of shops, all 3/8" hose, and never had an issue

In my home garage, Im mounting my hose reel (3/8 50ft) in the middle of the ceiling. Ill be running a feeder hose (3/8 18 ft) from the reel to the compressor. Thats a total of 68ft. At times I will need to run the hose to the end of the driveway to air up my vehicles (4 vehicles in the driveway). My driveway is about 20 ft long. Should I switch to a 1/2 x 100ft and a 1/2 feeder line hose from reel to compressor? The tools I use are impacts, drills, cut offs, etc. Basic engine repairs and maintenance. thanks

I use 1/2” for my 3/4” and 1” impact wrenches

3/8” for everything else.

My 60 gal compressor doesn't have a 1/2" outlet. I was going to use that for my 3/4" gun. I do have all Milton hi-flo on everything. Makes a hugh difference.

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My 60 gal compressor doesn't have a 1/2" outlet. I was going to use that for my 3/4" gun. I do have all Milton hi-flo on everything. Makes a hugh difference.

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Go High flow couplers on everything. Also , do not use a regulator unless you have a specific very good reason. Your air tools will really wake up.

If you are running large pneumatic pumps you need volts of volume. General automotive stuff works fine on 3/8" hose.

I use a 50' hose. Anything less than 1/2" hose and high flow fittings, my 1/2" impact (IR-232) doesn't have full jam.

I use 1/2 hose for "blowing ants off the cement drive" and the HF 1 inch impact. Also helpful for the first 100 feet and then additional 100 feet of 3/8 when I gotta go in the back yard.