Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Try focusing on the number of plies, like a tire. the more plies the
longer lastsing and more kink free your hose will be.

I use vinyl because it's easier to handle but I only buy reinforced vinyl.
Real rubber garden hose can get heavy and cumbersome.

my $.02

Bob wrote:

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Have you been buying the lifetime-warranted hoses? Vinyl varies in
quality, and the no-name hoses start cracking if left in sunlight for
a few years, while Goodyear and Sears Craftsman vinyl hoses hold up
fine.

Black rubber is heavy and sheds black powder like crazy, but it's kink
resistant, lasts forever in the sun (EPDM rubber, the same kind used
for rubber roofs), and I've never been able to damage it by dragging
it hard against highly resistant masonry.

Then t here's rubberized vinyl, which seems to give all the advantages
of rubber but doesn't shed messy powder.

Get a hose made with machined brass fittings because stamped fittings
can be bent (makes hose crimps and metal-metal crimps leak), and steel
fittings eventually develop pinholes.

The Henchman wrote:


"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper
and cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden
hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Try focusing on the number of plies, like a tire. the more plies the
longer lastsing and more kink free your hose will be.

I use vinyl because it's easier to handle but I only buy reinforced
vinyl. Real rubber garden hose can get heavy and cumbersome.

my $.02

That is for sure. I bought a couple of the 'commercial grade' 100 foot
rubber ones at Sam's because the price was cheap, and they had machined
brass fittings, with the strain relief spring on the upstream end. They
have held up well, although the nozzles tend to fuse in place if I don't
grease them in the spring. But the hoses weigh a frigging ton, and are a
major pain to drain and put away in the fall- once the weather gets a
little chilly, they take a roll set like service drop cable. Last year,
I ended up storing them coiled inside a spare trash can, because I could
not get them to coil neatly enough to store loose.

I'll probably sell them with the house, if they haven't failed by then,
and next house will have the hoses that look like a kitchen sink
squirter hose with the braiding. Not as durable, but a lot easier to handle.

--
aem sends...

In my experience, the black rubber Goodyear hoses last ten to one over the
cheaper others. Little by little, I'm getting all rubber hoses, as they are
spendy. But they are nice when you go to string one out, or join a couple
together for a long run, and there's no leaks, and no kinks, and no damaged
flimsy ends.

You get what you pay for, and the rubber ones are worth it, imho.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com

On 8/16/2010 7:31 PM, Bob wrote:
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

I run both. Rubber for most of the way, and vinyl for the bit at the end.

Rubber is not as flexible, heavier and gets much hotter in the sun.
On the other hand, it won't kink and should last a very long time.

If you buy vinyl, get the best you can afford. Bargain hoses are no
bargain.



Thanks,
Bob

On Aug 16, 6:31*pm, Bob wrote:
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! *At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses..

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Sears Craftsman garden hoses used to be covered under warranty just
like hand tools. If that still applies, it is the best bargain
around.
FWIW, I hang my heavy duty rubber hoses on plastic hangers mounted 5
feet up on the wall. That gives you large loops to deal with and a 50'
hose can be put away quickly. Never did understand why people want to
get an honest appliance like a hose tucked out of sight in a funky
plastic box that IMO looks really pathetic. But whatever floats your
boat...

Joe

"Joe" wrote in message
...
On Aug 16, 6:31 pm, Bob wrote:
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Sears Craftsman garden hoses used to be covered under warranty just
like hand tools. If that still applies, it is the best bargain
around.
FWIW, I hang my heavy duty rubber hoses on plastic hangers mounted 5
feet up on the wall. That gives you large loops to deal with and a 50'
hose can be put away quickly. Never did understand why people want to
get an honest appliance like a hose tucked out of sight in a funky
plastic box that IMO looks really pathetic. But whatever floats your
boat...

Joe

==

Wow. You have strong feelings about hose reels. How do you feel about
abortion?

Just kidding. I think it has some to do with location. I think your idea is
pretty good but for my house I'd have to pull the hose over to the side of
the house then hang it on the hanger and it's real easy to have a reel
situated where I can easily roll it up. Also, having a hose hanging off the
side of your house can look tacky if it's in plain view.

I didn't know I had such strong feeling lingering inside me about hose
reels!

g Jim

On Aug 16, 11:22*pm, "larry moe 'n curly"
wrote:
Bob wrote:

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Have you been buying the lifetime-warranted hoses? *Vinyl varies in
quality, and the no-name hoses start cracking if left in sunlight for
a few years, while Goodyear and Sears Craftsman vinyl hoses hold up
fine.

Black rubber is heavy and sheds black powder like crazy, but it's kink
resistant, lasts forever in the sun (EPDM rubber, the same kind used
for rubber roofs), and I've never been able to damage it by dragging
it hard against highly resistant masonry.

Then t here's rubberized vinyl, which seems to give all the advantages
of rubber but doesn't shed messy powder.

I've had a black GY water hose for 9 yrs now that always lies in the
sun.

There in no powder coming off of it. Best water hose that I've ever
owned.

"JimT" wrote in message
net...

"Joe" wrote in message
...
On Aug 16, 6:31 pm, Bob wrote:
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper and
cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak on
mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden
hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Sears Craftsman garden hoses used to be covered under warranty just
like hand tools. If that still applies, it is the best bargain
around.
FWIW, I hang my heavy duty rubber hoses on plastic hangers mounted 5
feet up on the wall. That gives you large loops to deal with and a 50'
hose can be put away quickly. Never did understand why people want to
get an honest appliance like a hose tucked out of sight in a funky
plastic box that IMO looks really pathetic. But whatever floats your
boat...

Joe

==

Wow. You have strong feelings about hose reels. How do you feel about
abortion?

Just kidding. I think it has some to do with location. I think your idea
is pretty good but for my house I'd have to pull the hose over to the side
of the house then hang it on the hanger and it's real easy to have a reel
situated where I can easily roll it up. Also, having a hose hanging off
the side of your house can look tacky if it's in plain view.

I didn't know I had such strong feeling lingering inside me about hose
reels!

g Jim

I personally find reels to be a real pain in the ass. You have to spend a
lot to get a good one, although the ones recommended here are a combination
of reel, and wheel where one can load the hose on to the wheel from the
side, like an old car rim. That is what I use is old car rims. They allow
you to store the hose with big loops so that it doesn't compress the hose as
much, making it necessary to unreel all the hose to get water through it.
The diameter of the loops is also much greater, and the hose does not deform
into a tight spiral. Also, most of the reels have a small capacity, and
when that is reached, they become hopelessly tangled in there when the
tension is released and it uncoils like a spring in there. It is difficult
to put 100' of hose on most mechanical reels, although some of the spendier
ones you can.

And last, what about in the winter when it freezes? It is easier to drain a
hose and put it on a spare wheel holder with no water in it than to get all
of the water out of a hose that is on a reel.

Plus, in my town, I can get those real fancy rims that people hit the curbs
with. They're ruined, but you can't see it from the street, and there's
something to be said for having a Porsche or Lamborghini or Mercedes hose
holder. I've had people ask me where I got them, and if I'd build them one.
I say sure, and for a $5 post and a free rim, I get $25. They have to
concrete it into a hole.

And I don't think they look any tackier than a mechanical hose reel. I
don't get either based on looks.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com
free books while they last

"Ron" wrote in message
...
On Aug 16, 11:22 pm, "larry moe 'n curly"
wrote:
Bob wrote:

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden
hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses ?

Have you been buying the lifetime-warranted hoses? Vinyl varies in
quality, and the no-name hoses start cracking if left in sunlight for
a few years, while Goodyear and Sears Craftsman vinyl hoses hold up
fine.

Black rubber is heavy and sheds black powder like crazy, but it's kink
resistant, lasts forever in the sun (EPDM rubber, the same kind used
for rubber roofs), and I've never been able to damage it by dragging
it hard against highly resistant masonry.

Then t here's rubberized vinyl, which seems to give all the advantages
of rubber but doesn't shed messy powder.

I've had a black GY water hose for 9 yrs now that always lies in the
sun.

There in no powder coming off of it. Best water hose that I've ever
owned.

reply: I second the statement that GY is the best I've ever had.

Steve

aemeijers wrote:
The Henchman wrote:


"Bob" wrote in message
...
Hello,

It seems that the normal plastic/vinyl garden hoses get made cheaper
and cheaper each year.
Usually, in years past, it was at the fittings that started to leak
on mine first.
The ones I bought this year actually split and "blew out" along the
length. Two of them ! At least there is good "quality-control,"
I guess.

So, I'm thinking of perhaps trying one of the rubber type of garden
hoses.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl/plastic vs. rubber garden hoses
? Thoughts on would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Try focusing on the number of plies, like a tire. the more plies
the longer lastsing and more kink free your hose will be.

I use vinyl because it's easier to handle but I only buy reinforced
vinyl. Real rubber garden hose can get heavy and cumbersome.

my $.02

That is for sure. I bought a couple of the 'commercial grade' 100 foot
rubber ones at Sam's because the price was cheap, and they had
machined brass fittings, with the strain relief spring on the
upstream end. They have held up well, although the nozzles tend to
fuse in place if I don't grease them in the spring. But the hoses
weigh a frigging ton, and are a major pain to drain and put away in
the fall- once the weather gets a little chilly, they take a roll set
like service drop cable. Last year, I ended up storing them coiled inside a
spare trash can, because I
could not get them to coil neatly enough to store loose.

I'll probably sell them with the house, if they haven't failed by
then, and next house will have the hoses that look like a kitchen sink
squirter hose with the braiding. Not as durable, but a lot easier to
handle.

A good hose reel makes rolling good hoses up really easy. That saves lots of
time.

Steve B wrote:

I personally find reels to be a real pain in the ass. You have to
spend a lot to get a good one, although the ones recommended here are
a combination of reel, and wheel where one can load the hose on to
the wheel from the side, like an old car rim. That is what I use is
old car rims. They allow you to store the hose with big loops so
that it doesn't compress the hose as much, making it necessary to
unreel all the hose to get water through it. The diameter of the
loops is also much greater, and the hose does not deform into a tight
spiral. Also, most of the reels have a small capacity, and when that
is reached, they become hopelessly tangled in there when the tension
is released and it uncoils like a spring in there. It is difficult
to put 100' of hose on most mechanical reels, although some of the
spendier ones you can.

I've got 3 plastic hose reels with more than 100 feet of hose. One has 125 feet
of 3/4" hose. The only real issue with them is the hose tends to flex the end of
the reel out till it binds against the reel support if you don't roll it
carefully, making the hose wrap back over itself befor it applies pressure
against the ends of the reel.


And last, what about in the winter when it freezes? It is easier to
drain a hose and put it on a spare wheel holder with no water in it
than to get all of the water out of a hose that is on a reel.

Just stretch the hose out downhill from the reel, disconnect the input
connection from the spigot, and reel it in slowly. All the water runs out the
far end as you reel it in.


Plus, in my town, I can get those real fancy rims that people hit the
curbs with. They're ruined, but you can't see it from the street,
and there's something to be said for having a Porsche or Lamborghini
or Mercedes hose holder. I've had people ask me where I got them,
and if I'd build them one. I say sure, and for a $5 post and a free
rim, I get $25. They have to concrete it into a hole.


That's certainly a good idea.