AB hoses

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Painting and airbrushing
1

I was just curious and wanted to know if there is really a difference between the vinyl hoses and the braided ones. I have a feeling the braided are better, as they dont feel so cheap, but what are the actual benefits if any?

casey

2

Well, I guess I’m a little weird. I have both a nice braided hose and a cheap vinyl hose and I always reach for the cheap vinyl hose. To me they just don’t get in the way as much as a braided hose. They seem to be more flexible and I just prefer it to the braided hose. I’m sure most would disagree with that, but it’s just the way I do it.

As to benefits, I don’t really know. Perhaps if we were blowing 100 psi the difference in inner diameter would give more volume of air, but at the pressures we spray at I don’t really know if there are any.

3

Well I guess that makes me wierd also, cuz I actually like the feel of the vinyl hose also

4

All I have are braided hoses as I have never owned a vinyl one. [;)]

5

for the base color, i use my braided hose because i hold my ab more like a spray gun then…but when i’m doing detail work, i use the vinyl hose because then i hold my ab like a pencil and the lighter weight of the vinyl is easier for me to work with…clearly, there’s no right answer! [:)]

6

Actually the braided hoses are more durable and less prone to becoming damaged because of the protection of the braiding against scuffs, etc.

Mike

7

That’s a good point Mike, I do tend to get mine hung on junk all the time [:)]

Glad to know I’m not the only one!

Maybe the weight is why I like the vinyl one better. For some reason it just seems to get in my way a lot less than the braided hose does.

8

Whatever works best for you is the best way Scott. [;)]
Some people, while holding the airbrush, take the braided hose and wrap it over the back of the wrist and let it dangle to the right of the forearm, if that makes sense.
This keeps the airhose out of the way as it hangs straight down otherwise and can get in the way. This is a good thing to do because it frees your hand so that you can get both hands on the airbrush for better control.

Mike