Cyclone Pneumatic 3/8 in x 25ft, Retracable Air Hose Reel, All-Steel, German-Made Hose w/Automatic Rewind, Auto Shop, Garage, CP3634

Bought this based on the build quality everyone talked about in the reviews and the value for it. I was a little turned off about most reviews in here discouraging some because they found the mounting to be too difficult. I figured well even if it is hard to mount, I only have to do it once then it is done and I'll have a great hose reel. To my surprise this thing was extremely EASY to mount.I mounted mine on my shop ceiling which sits about 16 feet above the floor.. My original plan after reading how hard people struggled with trying to mount a spinning hose reel was to install the reel on a piece of 2"x6" (which is perfect size for the mount btw) and then it would be easier to control when I moutned it on the ceiling. (The 2x6 was also to be used as a stabilizer between two rafters)After receiving the unit and looking at it I realized that only one bolt, yes just one, is holding the reel to the mounting bracket. The one bolt is of course very sturdy and I have no doubt it will hold up to years of abuse. Removing the one bolt and the hose stopper at the end of the hose allows the mount to be free of the reel. This allows you to mount the bracket where you need to without the reel being in the way and all that additional weight.This went unbelievably well. Attaching the reel was just as easy to put on as it was to take off. After you place the reel along with its attached bolt back into the mount, you can free one hand to thread the locknut and nut on. After the bolt is cinched down far enough with your hands it can hold the weight of the reel while you jump down off the ladder and get your ratchet to make sure the bolt is nice and snug.This method of installation also allows you to customize the amount of tension the reel starts off with which was a blessing for me as I didnt want to have the reel take the hose 16 feet up in the air if I forgot to lock it into place. Now the tension is set to pull the cord at about 7 feet from the floor. Out of the way from anything but easily within my grasp when I need it and I dont need to remember to lock it in place.Only had the reel for a few days so I cant comment on durability quite yet but it does seem to be very well built. I felt I had to express my satisfaction with the product and the installation.Edit: Follow up - Sep, 19 2013After reading my review it reads as if I didnt know the hose stopper, at the end of the line, is made for keeping the end of the hose at the height/distance you want it. I do use the stopper to keep the distance right, but the tension was adjusted so there was not much tension right where the stopper hits.As for the past year, this thing has held up wonderfully. No leaks anywhere. I've extended this thing probably 40-45 ft at times, there is a LOT of tension when extended this far but the unit doesnt complain. Have been very pleased with the durability of it and the hose. Even after the rare occasion I leave extra hose on the ground and walk or run over it with ATV/car, the hose has no cracks or tears, good stuff. Still very pleased and expecting this to last for many years.

I have the reel mounted in a standing position under my compressor as per the attached photos. This configuration has worked very well for me, and I’m extremely pleased with the solid reel and associated mechanisms – it pulls out smoothly, locks in position when extended, and retracts strongly - absolutely no problem with it and I would highly recommend it.However, after a little over four years of home use in my garage, the hose was frayed and started to leak. It is a 300 psi rated hose – though the maximum pressure that it was subjected to from my compressor was 100 psi. Now, the compressor resides in my non air-conditioned garage, which here in East Texas means that it endures some pretty hot humid summers, and I know that some rubber products do suffer under such conditions.I purchased a replacement “TEKTON 46338 3/8-Inch I.D. by 100-Foot 250 PSI Rubber Air Hose with 1/4-Inch MPT Ends and Bend Restrictors” off Amazon, and replaced the new hose onto the reel in a couple of hours. (Photo shows new hose installed).So overall, still a 5-star rating as it works so very well – and very recommended.

Screw in brass fitting broke off in the reel when attempting to assemble the unit with little pressure applied. I'm questioning the quality of the entire reel now. Not pleased with purchase so far.

Quick Look :)Pros: Packaged very well in an inner and outer box with Styrofoam guides. The hose does lock out so it can be used without tension. It is very big.Cons: It is very big and yes it is both a 'Pro & a Con'. I'm glad they show the dimensions on the picture. It has a heavy duty, black (marring), soft rubber hose with 3/8th MNPT fitting on the hose end and 3/8ths FNPT on the reel. (That is listed as a "Con" due to my only having quarter inch NPT air fittings from the old system but, really isn't a fault just my own frustration. (Something for everyone to be aware of.) It is very big - I said that before but it is worth keeping in mind. You'll need two men and a small boy to hold it up if you're going to ceiling mount it. You will also need about a six inch by six inch heavy duty mounting area. Lastly the reel only locks in a certain percentage of the reel circumference.So! you will find the hose diameter to be about one (1) inch. The reel has a strong take up and the hose sits inside the reel just as advertised. I used a close nipple on the reel inlet to a female 3/8ths tee where I placed a gauge facing down from the rafters in my garage so I could see the tank pressure at a glance when I grab the hose. The other side of the Tee has a small plug valve and then a hose going to a storage tank with one inlet and two outlets. (Old LP tank.) Then a 10 ft. whip to the compressor. (I like the extra capacity of the additional tank for my pneumatic tools.) I did use my old quarter inch air fittings which does limit / restrict air flow but, overall I am satisfied with the throughput. I used four 5/16ths X 3 inch lag screws to mount the reel. I'm guessing the lock / ratchet assembly covers about 120 degrees of the reel so you have to listen for the clicks when you're pulling the hose out or, if out of hearing range of the clicks, it is 'guess and by golly' and 'I got it'. I did mark up the car pulling the hose past it once so I'm a little more careful to pull the hose out before I go around anything now. The four rollers on the hose output arm and the large hose stop appear to be mechanically right for the size of the reel and hose.Bottom line :) For the price and for 'home use' this should last a long, long time. A real 'feel good' purchase.