I've got a 60-gallon Ingersoll Rand air-compressor that I got installed at my house yesterday. The outlet on the air-compressor is 1/2 inch. Last week I picked up a hose-reel with 25-feet of 3/8 inch hose because it was on sale and the price was excellent. I plan on using it with an impact driver, that's the most heavy-duty use it will see. Is the 3/8 inch hose going to hold the power back? Should I return the hose reel and buy one with 1/2 inch hose? Or will the 1/2 inch hose be much harder to handle?

 

I use 3/8" on my compressor. Runs my tools nicely.

 

Most tools use 3/8". All mine do and I have 3/8" line. 1/2" is more for crews that would use more air per line. A single person only needs 3/8".

Yes, the 1/2" line will be much heavier and harder to wind-up and drag around. Plus, you would need to convert to 3/8" anyways at the tool.

 

The compressor has a 1/2" because that's what you'd use to feed a multiple outlet air system (like in a shop). If you're only using one tool at a time, 3/8" is plenty.