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When expanded, the hose is more than 50 feet long. I kept the case and actually used it to transport it to another location.
It is flexible so I can drag it around easily. The dust collection hose functions well on my 1HP dust collector.
It looks like to be quite strong. It does tend to collapse when the pressure drops, but that is not a problem because both ends are fixed to adaptors.
I have not experienced any defects. I could push it back into this small case with no problem.
I have no complaints.
I'm using this with an older Delta 2hp 2 stage system and it has never collapsed and only constricted itself slightly when the DC first switched on. If you are like me and using plastic connectors and elbows such as sold by numerous companies I doubt you'll be replacing this hose too frequently. Pros -Light weight & when extended fairly smooth inside so efficiency is probably halfway between a smooth wall PVC tube and the standard 4" heavy semi flexible hose normally sold for moderate DC systems.I use a dozen or so feet to connect 4" PVC ducting to machines. Durability. I WISH I could find a store that sold THAT hose. Cons -When not extended it definitely is not efficient at handling air. I certainly would expect metal ducting to sooner or later cut through where it connects to this hose after moderate use.
Other Notes -This is rather heavier than the old vinyl cloths dryer duct people installed when they wanted to make a claim on their fire insurance. Works great for this purpose - I can now roll my planer about without disconnecting the dust hose from the wall and with the remaining my "Big Gulp" hood is now mobile and can be easily moved from one bench to the other. Definitely use the wire style clamps over the band style hose clamps. This might be an issue if you are using this with smaller (weaker) dc systems. At 50 cents a foot I think the durability issue is not too big of a deal. But it is far lighter than the nice flexible vinyl hose that came with my Delta AP300 dust collector. Cuts easily with wire cutters and a utility knife.
While I wouldn't recommend this product for use on a general dust collector installation, you won't find a better product for connecting your equipment to the system.The soft hose is ideal for hooking up the equipment wherever you put it without having to adjust the equipments location to accomodate a stiff hose. In particular, I used it on a Performax Drum Sander with fantastic results. The ability of this hose to fully collapse allows me to stack the hose in a single compact column on top of the machine when not in use.You also can't beat the price.
This hose is worth the price, its not heavy duty but your getting 50ft so for a small to medium size shop you will be happy with it. To me it's a little thicker than a dryer vent hose just to give you an idea.
HOWEVER, I suggest that you get a 4 inch keyed hose clamp. I had to have something, I gave it a shot. I adapted a 2 1/2 inch hose and tools from the shopvac and I use it for all of the vacuum chores in the shop. But for a utility system that needs portability, this hose will work fine. UPDATE: three months and still working fine with no problems. Trying to get the rigid 4-inch hoses everybody else makes to move around to my different machines was akin to wrestling an alligator in a phone booth. It is not very rigid, but it is substantial enough to pull dust through to a portable collector.
This one you just snatch up, walk over to the machine of you choice, and stick it on. Bends around corners, stretches, all easy. After reading the reviews on this hose, I closed my eyes and hit the one-click purchase button. It will draw up like a turtle pulling its head in a shell. The rigid hoses are substantial, and if you were going to put a permanent system in, they would be the correct choice. By the way, I have already stepped on it and to my surprise it didn't hurt it a bit. No more shaking loose in the middle of a cut. Then just slip the hose over the exhaust outlet of a machine, turn the key a time or two and it hangs on like a bad reputation.
I am not disappointed with it. Keyed means it has a little flat tab where the screwdriver usually goes. Floors included. To get it out of the way, just put the opening against your chest and choke the airflow. You can tighten or loosen with your fingers. Amazon has these clamps, so does Woodcraft.
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