Why do air tool couplers suck?

benstone
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Des Moines, IA US
2/7/2021 9:07am Edited Date/Time 2/18/2021 5:28am
I'm working in the garage tuning my skis today and I realized that after 40+ years of being a garage putzer kinda guy, every single air tool connector I've ever dealt with leaks some amount of air. If you set down an air tool of any type, you know you'll need to twist it a little or move it around or kick it or it will leak a lot of air and your compressor will kick in. Even if you get the tool positioned *just* right so it isn't hissing at you, it will still leak a small amount of air and the compressor will eventually kick in. The only way that doesn't happen is if you disconnect the tool every time and that's a pain in the ass. Why? We have all the technology in the world and nobody has created an air coupler that can withstand garage abuse over time and still not leak air.

Rant over.
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Hoseclamp
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2/7/2021 9:13am
Some are better quality than others Im sure. I use air tools 8hrs a day for years. Never have issues at work. The cheap one in my garage is a different story. If it bugs you that bad maybe invest in a good one.
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Chance1216
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2/7/2021 10:01am Edited Date/Time 2/7/2021 11:32am
Hard pipe your air lines. Use iron pipe, flared, or compression fittings for adapters. Type L copper or even type K as it holds higher pressure. Use a flared fittings for your tool connections. Here’s two compressors I installed at a hospital two weeks ago for their air tools and pneumatic doors. It’s air tight. No pun intended.

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XXVoid MainXX
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2/7/2021 10:42am
My compressor in my garage kicked on when I opened this thread.
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Dirtydeeds
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2/7/2021 11:00am
One of my many ultimate let peeves

Sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss


Fuckin hate it!
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The Shop

Rawly
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Simi Valley, CA US
2/8/2021 10:43am
They don’t suck , they blow 😀.
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gristle568
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Newton, NC US
2/8/2021 1:21pm
In my experience the more expensive ones don’t leak like the cheaper ones.
Pat_Boyd
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Bloomington, CA US
2/8/2021 4:36pm
Try spraying some silicone lube in the female. It should calm them down.
XXVoid MainXX
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2/8/2021 4:40pm
So for all of you guys who say you know of ones that don't leak, can you post specific brands/models? Links to order forms on Ebay/Amazon? Smile
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Chance1216
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2/8/2021 7:02pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2021 7:03pm
So for all of you guys who say you know of ones that don't leak, can you post specific brands/models? Links to order forms on Ebay/Amazon...
So for all of you guys who say you know of ones that don't leak, can you post specific brands/models? Links to order forms on Ebay/Amazon? Smile
Ingersoll Rand is a brand I would recommend. Just use that brand in your search and you’ll find anything from compressors to reels.
BRX-WRX
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Blue Springs, MO US
2/8/2021 7:26pm Edited Date/Time 2/8/2021 7:28pm
Milton brand have been my best ones and you can buy the replacement rubber seals from Napa dealers. That video above explains how to fix most leaking ones. Ive seen some newer types but have not used them or remember the brand names. The better ones have 4 balls or more to help hold the male adapter instead of the cheaper 3 ball females.
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RaceFan
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GB
2/9/2021 12:39am Edited Date/Time 2/9/2021 2:54am
Where I'm from we get various Milton type couplers and the various pneumatic tools I have all seem to have slightly different diameters and lengths couplers.
Easy fix was simply to buy matching male and female couplers from the same supplier and then swap out the coulplers on the tools and hoses so they all match.
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Falcon
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2/9/2021 8:56am
I can handle the pressure loss, I just hate that I can't keep my air chuck on the hose. The damn thing pops off and goes flying at the slightest provocation. Good luck actually filling your tires with it. It pops off right in my hand. I have to hold the damn thing onto the hose while I'm filling. It's not like I run 400 PSI in my tank, either. The fittings are cheap, but hell, not that cheap.
murph783
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CT US
2/9/2021 8:57am
RaceFan wrote:
Where I'm from we get various Milton type couplers and the various pneumatic tools I have all seem to have slightly different diameters and lengths couplers...
Where I'm from we get various Milton type couplers and the various pneumatic tools I have all seem to have slightly different diameters and lengths couplers.
Easy fix was simply to buy matching male and female couplers from the same supplier and then swap out the coulplers on the tools and hoses so they all match.
Yeah I buy these cheap-o ones from tractor supply for my garage, I don’t even know the brand, but so long as they’re brand matching male/female I don’t seem to have any issues
charlie68
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North Windham, CT US
2/9/2021 1:05pm
I find the style A leak a lot less the the style B, and Milton as well as Parker have served me well over the years, I cant stand the air leaks.
RDT
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Tower, MN US
2/10/2021 4:23pm
Install a swivel or a short pigtail between the tool and its coupler, it helps alot. Couplers last longer and laying tool down doesn't uncouple it.
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Markee
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2/11/2021 7:18am
Chance1216 wrote:
Hard pipe your air lines. Use iron pipe, flared, or compression fittings for adapters. Type L copper or even type K as it holds higher pressure...
Hard pipe your air lines. Use iron pipe, flared, or compression fittings for adapters. Type L copper or even type K as it holds higher pressure. Use a flared fittings for your tool connections. Here’s two compressors I installed at a hospital two weeks ago for their air tools and pneumatic doors. It’s air tight. No pun intended.

The coils for vibration dampening?
Chance1216
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Federal Way, WA US
2/11/2021 7:48am
Chance1216 wrote:
Hard pipe your air lines. Use iron pipe, flared, or compression fittings for adapters. Type L copper or even type K as it holds higher pressure...
Hard pipe your air lines. Use iron pipe, flared, or compression fittings for adapters. Type L copper or even type K as it holds higher pressure. Use a flared fittings for your tool connections. Here’s two compressors I installed at a hospital two weeks ago for their air tools and pneumatic doors. It’s air tight. No pun intended.

Markee wrote:
The coils for vibration dampening?
Yes. I just used a roll 1/2” soft copper and sweated the joints.
SEEMEFIRST
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Arlington, TX US
2/11/2021 2:00pm
Mated couplings work best.
If you have a coupling on your hose that is different than the male, it may not fit as good as you would like.

As others have said, buy name brand, and they don't last forever.

I have good luck with Milton, and all my couplings, male and female are Milton.
Dirtydeeds
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4/20/2021 11:36am
I got a buck for anyone who can get this thing to not fuckin leak for 1 year









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