Question about swivels / blowhoses

[Denial]

I'm sure this is a "stupid question" but after looking around for awhile and still left scratching my head I just gatta ask..
What is with the different sizes in swivels and hoses?
I'm mainly seeing 3/16, 1/4, and 3/8. Ive just ordered my first case of tube after feeling pretty confident in solid work for awhile now and wanting to venture into the other side and was just getting ready to pick up a stopper and swivel / blowhose when I got hung up on all this craziness.
So, what is the reason for the different sizes besides preference and what size does everyone generally use and why?
Thanks a lot, sorry again if it's a stupid question...

[Swampy]

1.) It's not a stupid question.

2.) If I had time to search for you, I would. But it's all in there, just take your time. Loads of good info to help you decide whatever you want.

[Firekist]

If you are doing very small work, a 3/16 is a very light swivel.. the weight of it will be less noticible.. and it will b eeasier to somehow attach it to your point handle or miniblowtube, since that will be smaller on mini type work as well. Handles that are 5mm or less id consider mini.

I use 1/4.. its not too heavy, and its easy to get onto handles and points I use for "at the bench" hand work. The big nested stopper I got from abr has a 1/4" hole for a swivel to go into, as do their black boot things.. and it works well with latex hose (search for my V2 stainless steel swivel thread..there's a video)

Most people using swivels bigger than 1/4 are doing at the lathe work, where weight doesn't matter to your hands,and for larger work.. so large that they really have to be blowing a significant amount of air into the piece, and /4 is a little restrictive.

If you can buy your swivel in person, spin it and make sure its not glitchy/grindy.
I always wondered why so many people said they hated their blowhose setup, until I got to spin their swivels, and bought more swivels for myself.. sometimes the cheap ones are just useless. If u et a crappy one, use a drill to try and spin in smoother.
---seth

[Firekist]

1/4 is what I prefer.. easy to use at bench or lathe.

[Mecha]

Just buy one of Firekist's swivels.

I use a blowhose for almost everything and the one I got from him is hands down the best you can buy. Seriously.

[AlexSchmalex]

^^^yup. he might sell you a whole blowhose assembly as well

[Denial]

Thanks so much guys..
Looks like 1/4 is the way to go.. I plan on just working on spoons and discs, bub cans, things of that nature sk nothing to big or to small either.
Now my biggest question is where can I get a full assembly from firekist? :)

[Firekist]

Bah, I was trying to not bring these up. My machinist is busy, still might be a couple weeks for the 2nd batch to be completed.
If u want a full assembly, I will make alex do it. :p

--seth
(Thanks for the endorsements!)

[Denial]

I was interested in a full assembly.. I already sent you a pm also lol.

[mad alchemist]

get the stainless v2 swivel from firekist, i got a brass one from abr that fell apart the first time i used it. abr did tell me they would send a replacement when i put in another order with them, but who knows when that will be.

[MikeyMan]

One of the nice things about my 3/16 is that with a little piece of rubber tubing on the buisness end, it fits nicely inside my 12mm handles. (I always use welded blowtubes for prodo work) A little moisture, and it pops in, stays in and stable.
But if you let it get gunky, and the flow is gets reduced the back pressure from hot air escaping will create problems until you clean it. Back pressure becomes less of an issue with larger swivels.

[MikeyMan]

Oh yeah, the 3/16 also fits my gong tools as well.