Fitted Hose

About Fitted Hose

Fitted hoses are essential components for gas welding, cutting, and heating applications, providing a safe and reliable connection between gas cylinders and welding equipment. Pre-fitted with the correct fittings and couplings, these hoses eliminate the need for tradespeople to source and attach connectors separately, ensuring immediate readiness for work. Our range includes oxygen hoses, acetylene hoses, and propane hoses in various diameters, all manufactured to meet rigorous British and European safety standards for gas handling applications.

The fitted hoses we stock from trusted brands like Draper and Sealey are designed for professional use across welding, brazing, cutting, and heating operations. Available in both single hoses for specific gases and twin welding hose sets, these products feature colour-coded construction for easy identification - typically blue for oxygen, red for acetylene or propane. The pre-fitted end connections are compatible with standard regulators and welding torches, making them ideal for both workshop installations and mobile welding applications on site.

Quality fitted hoses incorporate robust rubber construction with reinforced layering to withstand the pressures and conditions encountered in gas welding work. Whether you're replacing worn hoses as part of regular maintenance or setting up a new welding station, our selection covers the most common specifications used by UK tradespeople, from 6mm to 10mm internal diameters in various lengths to suit different working environments.

Jargon Buster

• Oxyacetylene: A gas welding process that combines oxygen and acetylene gases to create an extremely hot flame capable of melting and joining metals. The hoses for these gases must never be interchanged due to different material compatibilities.
• Working Pressure: The maximum safe pressure (measured in bar or PSI) that a hose can handle during normal operation. Exceeding this pressure can cause hose failure and serious safety hazards.
• Twin Hose: Two hoses bonded or clipped together - one for oxygen and one for fuel gas - providing a tidy, tangle-free solution that's easier to manage on site and in the workshop.
• Hose Tail: The barbed metal fitting at each end of a fitted hose that connects to regulators, torches, or other equipment. Pre-fitted hoses come with these already securely attached.
• Flash-back Arrestor: A safety device (sold separately) that prevents flame from travelling back through the hose into the gas supply. Essential safety equipment for all gas welding operations.
• BS EN 559: The British and European standard specification for rubber hoses used in gas welding, cutting, and allied processes, ensuring products meet strict safety and performance criteria.

Who Uses Fitted Hose?

• Welders and Fabricators: Professional welders working in workshops, fabrication shops, and on construction sites requiring reliable gas connections for welding and cutting operations
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Tradespeople using welding and brazing equipment for pipework installation and repairs, particularly in commercial and industrial settings
• Motor Vehicle Technicians: Mechanics and body shop professionals carrying out welding repairs, exhaust work, and metal fabrication on vehicles
• Agricultural Engineers: Farm machinery repair specialists who rely on gas welding equipment for equipment maintenance and fabrication work
• Maintenance Engineers: Industrial and facilities maintenance teams who need welding capabilities for equipment repairs and modifications
• Metalwork Artists and Sculptors: Craftspeople using gas welding and cutting techniques for artistic metalwork projects
• DIY Enthusiasts: Hobbyists with gas welding equipment for restoration projects, repairs, and metal fabrication at home

How to Choose the Right Fitted Hose

Selecting the correct fitted hose starts with identifying the gas type you'll be using. Oxygen hoses (typically blue) and fuel gas hoses for acetylene or propane (usually red or orange) are manufactured with different rubber compounds suited to their specific gases. Never interchange these hoses, as the wrong material can degrade when exposed to incompatible gases, creating serious safety risks.

Consider the hose diameter based on your equipment specifications and the length of hose run required. Common sizes include 6mm and 10mm internal diameters, with 6mm suited to lighter-duty torches and shorter runs, whilst 10mm provides better gas flow for larger torches or longer distances from cylinders to workspace. Remember that excessively long hoses can affect gas pressure and performance, so choose a length appropriate to your working setup.

Check the working pressure rating matches or exceeds your regulator output pressure. Standard welding hoses typically handle pressures up to 10 bar for oxygen and 1.5 bar for acetylene, but always verify compatibility with your specific equipment. Look for hoses manufactured to BS EN 559 standards, ensuring they meet UK and European safety requirements for construction, pressure testing, and material specification.

For mobile applications or where workspace is limited, twin hose sets offer practical advantages by keeping oxygen and fuel gas hoses together, reducing tangles and making equipment easier to transport and store. Single hoses may be preferable when replacing individual worn hoses or for fixed installations where separate routing is beneficial.

Popular Accessories

• Flash-back Arrestors: Essential safety devices that fit between hoses and regulators or torches to prevent dangerous flame travel
• Hose Clips and Jubilee Clips: For securing hose connections and preventing leaks at fitting points
• Gas Regulators: Control devices that reduce cylinder pressure to safe working levels for welding equipment
• Welding Torches: The cutting and welding tools that connect to the hose outlets for actual metalworking operations
• Hose Protectors: Spring-type guards that prevent damage and kinking at connection points
• Gas Cylinder Trolleys: Wheeled carriers for safely transporting cylinders with attached hoses around the workspace
• Leak Detection Spray: Testing solution for identifying gas leaks at hose connections and fittings
• Welding Goggles and Gloves: Personal protective equipment essential when using gas welding equipment

Safety Information

Gas welding hoses operate under pressure with highly flammable gases, making safety paramount. Before each use, inspect hoses thoroughly for cuts, cracks, perishing, or signs of damage. Even minor degradation can lead to gas leaks or catastrophic failure. Replace damaged hoses immediately - never attempt repairs with tape or other makeshift solutions.

Always ensure hose fittings are properly tightened and compatible with your equipment. Use leak detection spray or soapy water to check all connections before commencing work. Never use oil or grease on oxygen equipment, as these can ignite spontaneously in oxygen-rich environments, causing explosions.

Store hoses properly when not in use, away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and sources of oil or grease contamination. Coil hoses loosely to prevent kinking and damage. Install flash-back arrestors on both oxygen and fuel gas lines as required by HSE guidance - these inexpensive devices can prevent serious accidents by stopping flame from travelling back through the system.

Ensure adequate ventilation when using gas welding equipment, particularly in enclosed spaces. Fuel gases displace oxygen and can cause asphyxiation, whilst welding fumes present respiratory hazards. Follow COSHH regulations regarding fume extraction and respiratory protection. Never use acetylene at pressures exceeding 0.62 bar (1.5 bar for propane), as acetylene becomes dangerously unstable at higher pressures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do welding hoses typically last?

With proper care and storage, quality welding hoses can last several years. However, lifespan depends heavily on usage frequency, working conditions, and storage practices. Inspect hoses regularly and replace them if you notice any cracking, perishing, or softening of the rubber, regardless of age. Hoses exposed to hot work, chemicals, or UV light will degrade faster than those used and stored carefully.

Can I use the same hose for oxygen and acetylene?

Absolutely not. Oxygen and fuel gas hoses are manufactured from different rubber compounds specifically formulated for their intended gas. Using an acetylene hose for oxygen (or vice versa) can cause the hose material to degrade rapidly, leading to leaks, ruptures, and serious safety hazards. Always use colour-coded hoses correctly - blue for oxygen, red for acetylene or propane.

What does "fitted" mean in fitted hose?

Fitted hoses come with the appropriate connectors (hose tails) already professionally attached at both ends, saving you time and ensuring secure, leak-free connections. This eliminates the need to purchase separate fittings and attach them yourself, which requires specialised tools and expertise to do safely and correctly.

How do I store welding hoses when not in use?

Coil hoses loosely without tight kinks and hang them in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and any oils or chemicals. Ideally, drain any residual gas by opening the torch valves briefly after shutting off cylinders and regulators. Proper storage significantly extends hose life by preventing UV degradation, perishing, and chemical damage.

What length of hose should I choose?

Select the shortest practical length for your working setup. Whilst longer hoses offer greater reach, they can reduce gas pressure at the torch and are more prone to damage and tangling. Most workshop applications work well with 5-metre hoses, whilst mobile site work might require 10 metres or more. Remember that excessively long hoses, particularly for acetylene, can affect welding performance and increase safety risks.