Milton "V" Style HVLP Couplers

[Zrexxer]

I've been wanting to replace the regular "M" style couplers and plugs on my compressed air components with something that would be a little less restrictive, but I hadn't found anywhere in my regular stomping grounds that sold them.

Well, this week they opened a brand new Northern Tool around the corner from my house, so I stopped and picked up a few Milton "V" couplers and a couple of packages of plugs.

Wondering just how much difference there was in real life, I measured the I.D. of a regular Milton "M" coupler at 0.190". The I.D. of the high-flow plug was 0.270". Applying a little cipherin' that works out to cross-sectional areas of .028 sq in and .057 sq in, respectively.

Working a little more of the miracle of mathematics, that's 103% larger cross sectional area, in the same size coupler body. That's a significant flow increase.

Add to that the fact that the high-flow couplers will still accept the old M style plugs (although without a flow increase) and the investment was definitely worth it. About $7 ea for couplers a $2 ea for plugs.

 

[bchee]

I recently posted about this.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93820

I was thinking it makes more sense to just convert to all 3/8 plugs.

I was wondering about how to measure the "inner diamater" of the coupling, not the plug. If all 1/4 couplers are equally restrictive, then I don't see the point of having hi-flo plugs.

 

[chewy7]

Just get v series plugs if you have 3/8" i.d air hose and if your compressor only goes up to 135psi. Thats what we have in our farm shop, an upright Rol air 60 gallon air compressor. V series works good for our application with 3/8" hose.

 

[Skyline]

I had a Snap-on IM-31 impact gun that always barely worked. Mind you, I have a big 110v compressor, so the CFM output wasn't great. But as soon as I changed to the V fittings, that impact gun is awesome. All my other air tools which worked fine without the V fittings are now noticibly more powerful. No question these V fittings are well worth every penny. I see no need to go up in hose size or fitting size. Perhaps if you use giant 3/4" or 1" impacts it might help to go to bigger, but for normal stuff this is more than fine.

 

[chewy7]

I had a Snap-on IM-31 impact gun that always barely worked. Mind you, I have a big 110v compressor, so the CFM output wasn't great. But as soon as I changed to the V fittings, that impact gun is awesome. All my other air tools which worked fine without the V fittings are now noticibly more powerful. No question these V fittings are well worth every penny. I see no need to go up in hose size or fitting size. Perhaps if you use giant 3/4" or 1" impacts it might help to go to bigger, but for normal stuff this is more than fine.

right on. Bigger impacts need bigger hose if you use them enough, otherwise 3/8" hose is plenty big.

 

[bchee]

right on. Bigger impacts need bigger hose if you use them enough, otherwise 3/8" is plenty big.

you mean 3/8 fittings, or 3/8 hose

 

[chewy7]

you mean 3/8 fittings, or 3/8 hose

hose

 

[123Go]

Allows alot more "volume" to impacts/tools but It wont work on hair at all!
Just sayin'.

 

[123Go]

The air volume helps on the initial burst of pressure due to the holes I.D. size. Its as close as one gets to a bigger hose. The I.D. on regular fittings for 3/8 I.D. hoses are about twice as restrictive of air flow just as Zrexxer stated. It is like getting a much bigger hose.

Pressure/volume and CFM should be taken into consideration here? Everyone has forgotten about the amount of air {volume} these help deliver. When several guys say they had to turn their impacts setting down for fear of busting off a lug/bolts after just upgrading only to these hi-flow fittings then it makes a difference no doubt.
Pro car painters swear by them too I read. Seems the longer the air hose is the more noticable it is witch makes since. IMO: Likewise smaller air compressors would notice more too? Anyway you look at it more air is being delivered and that is what powers air tools, plain & simple!

 

[Jawn]

Allows alot more "volume" to impacts/tools but It wont work on hair at all!
Just sayin'.

Wow, this one was brought back from the dead!

That said... Hooray Milton-V! I like mine.

 

[Andrew LB]

The air volume helps on the initial burst of pressure due to the holes I.D. size. Its as close as one gets to a bigger hose. The I.D. on regular fittings for 3/8 I.D. hoses are about twice as restrictive of air flow just as Zrexxer stated. It is like getting a much bigger hose.

Pressure/volume and CFM should be taken into consideration here? Everyone has forgotten about the amount of air {volume} these help deliver. When several guys say they had to turn their impacts setting down for fear of busting off a lug/bolts after just upgrading only to these hi-flow fittings then it makes a difference no doubt.
Pro car painters swear by them too I read. Seems the longer the air hose is the more noticeable it is witch makes since. IMO: Likewise smaller air compressors would notice more too? Anyway you look at it more air is being delivered and that is what powers air tools, plain & simple!

Correct. These couplers when used with a quality 3/8" hose greatly reduce the pressure drop that anyone who has used an automotive HVLP setup can attest to, and a pressure gauge on your gun proves it's not "placebo". That initial drop in pressure is amplified exponentially as the hose length increases, which is why I always have used as short of hose possible for any painting. A friend who taught me has painted cars for the better part of 3 decades and refuses to buy pre-made hoses since they typically come in 25ft or 50ft, which is either too little or too much distance to get around a car in his booth. A little ****, but man... he's one hell of a painter.

BTW... these V-Style couplers used to be sold at Harbor Freight. Obviously not Milton quality but I've got a bunch of the male connectors and they work perfect. They were listed as "Central Pneumatic "Hi-Flo"


edit: Here is a great chart showing how incredibly restrictive standard 1/4" couplers are.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

The sheer sillyness of V-Style has driven me into the arms of the CEJN/European Hi-Flow Style. Not saying the Milton V doesnt work, but it just seems very "messy" to have what is essentially a vastly different quality & flow on a fitting but it matches and fits any/all normal I/M quick couplings.
To put it into easy to describe terms...it would be like having 220v outlets in your shop with the same recepticles as your 110v stuff, you gotta remember what outlet is what, which extension cord is what...etc..

I plan on runninng CJEN in parallel to my I/M.

 

[Stephenw]

I'm using the Milton T style couplers. Let's take a look at the chart, 1/4" size, worst case.

The T style is rated at 40 SCFM. The V style is much better at 74 SCFM.

BUT...

What air tool or paint gun requires more than 40 SCFM? A large abrasive blaster is about all I can think of.

I'm sticking with the T style.

 

[strutaeng]

I agree with the previous post. The way I understand it from fluid mechanics is that most of the losses is from the friction in the pipe or hose. This is why a 3/8" hose is recommended over a 1/4" hose, especially in lengths over 50' long.

The velocity at the restricted coupler rises due to the smaller area, but the flow is the same. This is assuming there are only a few couplers in the system.

I have seen shops with regular 3/8" hose and the cheap couplers without any problems.

I think the high flow couplers are essential for things like blasters and heavy duty 1" impact guns and such.

Good luck

 

[chewy7]

Those hvlp couplers work nice with 1/2" hose and 3/4" impact wrenches on our farm. Also use them for painting too by us. we standardized everything with that coupler. We work on and fix stuff bigger that a small car or pickup truck

 

[Durka]

What air tool or paint gun requires more than 40 SCFM? A large abrasive blaster is about all I can think of.

I'm sticking with the T style.

Its the volume achieved via less restriction. There's substantial difference.

The Milton V couplers are okay. The Astro Pneumatic coupler flows 89 cfm which is just 10 cfm shy of larger Milton 1/2" @ 99 cfm. They are a little nicer than the Milton V style couplers. The Astro couplers have wider margins, have a built regulator and air purge w/safety lock feature that works quickly. They are a little pricey, - or they were. They have come down in price since first introduced. By 1/2 I believe. They were about $30, -now you can get them between 15-17 bucks apiece.

Where do you notice the difference ? A DA and HVLP are a few good examples. Anything that's an air hawg; a blaster; VERY noticeable.. Having that extra volume on hand is a nice bonus. Specially when you need it most.

Recommended hose length coming off a 3/4" WAS only 30' to get away from substantial pressure drops, -that's changed to 50', IF your coming from a 3/4" id station w/CLEAN air. Recommended pipe size for air systems = 3 times your tool port size. That figure was determined using the old style fittings. Now, -it's worth bumping stations up to 1" since you increased volume x 2 at the tool.

Use ONLY 1/2" hose since it's just as light and not much larger than your average 3/8" hose OD. The Goodyear F5 hose is the best offered right now IMO. It has flexibility, VERY light and won't kink like some or all Legacy hoses will. I've used both Legacy and Goodyear F5 now; the F5 hands down is the better hose...very easy to work with.


About the Astro coupler once more. What I'm not crazy about, they're not as versatile/universal as advertised IMO. They advertise compatibility with M, ARO, T styles and HI-flo. Not always IME. After using a high flow end with the coupler and pick up a tool with either an industrial or automotive fitting at the port, they tend to leak. The Hi flow ends fit like a glove, nice and tight. All others fit loosely and can leak at certain angles.
I solved this purchasing hi-flow ends at every tool since they can be had at 76 cents apiece (if you know where to go). I'll post the link if you want it.

Other than that, it's a nice improvement!

 

[Stephenw]

Its the volume achieved via less restriction. There's substantial difference.

...and a bunch of other stuff.

I think you missed my point. I agree that the V style coupler flows more air.

My point was that the more commonly available A or T style flow more than enough air to get the job done. There is no need to buy all new fittings and switch to the V style.

 

[Durka]

I think you missed my point. I agree that the V style coupler flows more air.

My point was that the more commonly available A or T style flow more than enough air to get the job done. There is no need to buy all new fittings and switch to the V style.

I missed your point ? I commented on the sentence quoted. Regardless, the "need" depends upon what your using. Sure, if all you use is a half inch impact, your all set....Maybe. Can't tell from here.
There's a lot of different set ups that could DEFINITELY benefit from higher volume delivery. You have options that I figure some might not be aware of. You don't have to be part of that group.

 

[b-body-bob]

I changed from universal 1/4" through and through connectors to 1/4" NPT 3/8" automotive connectors, and the difference is certainly noticeable. Infact it can be a tough to get a new tool plugged in when the hose is pressurized to 90 PSI because the air rushing out of the 3/8" connector can be hard to overcome.

 

[Skyline]

One of the other nice things about these V type connectors, is that the Female V connector and accept both V type or regular air fittings. SO you don't have to convert all your tools, and for some, at times the lower flow may be preferable.

 

[Durka]

The sheer sillyness of V-Style has driven me into the arms of the CEJN/European Hi-Flow Style. Not saying the Milton V doesnt work, but it just seems very "messy" to have what is essentially a vastly different quality & flow on a fitting but it matches and fits any/all normal I/M quick couplings.
To put it into easy to describe terms...it would be like having 220v outlets in your shop with the same recepticles as your 110v stuff, you gotta remember what outlet is what, which extension cord is what...etc..

I plan on runninng CJEN in parallel to my I/M.

You must be referring to no smaller than 3/8 then. CEJN doesn't have a compatible 1/4" coupling. If you require 3/8 and above, yea CEJN.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

http://www.astrotools.com/default.aspx?toolsnum=2640&

 

[jeff-1961]

never owned a compressor and only used one 3-5 times maybe ...... but i've got a compressor on order with home depot , i should get a e-mail tomorrow with the final approval for the price matching . it's a california air tools 4620A (5.3 @90SCFM) . i'm planning on using a framing nailer with it mostly , maybe some brad nailing or a air impact putting lag bolts onto deck band boards and leg/rail post . i think it will be enough for the occasional small and cherry picked jobs i look to be doing . i got a 3/8 50 ft. rubber air hose and was looking at ends for it and it looks like these V series are pretty good .

http://www.californiaairtools.com/u...compressors/2-0-hp-air-compressors/cat-4620a/

my question is .... will the "hi-flo steel plugs" fit and seal correctly with the "....Two universal 1/4″ quick connectors...." on the CAT compressor ? i'd rather not change the connectors if i can avoid it .

 

[404]

Framing nailers have air capacity in the handle for each shot. Only the time between shots would change with smaller hose or fittings.

 

[99LeCouch]

Bumpity bump bump.

In a word: no. The V-style female/male quick connectors need to be on the compressor as well. It's $8 to get one. Well worth it for making anything air-powered work that much better. The impact will notice the biggest difference. Won't hurt the nailers either, though.

 

[jeff-1961]

i'm guessing it won't violate the CAT warranty changing the stock quick connectors to Milton V ..... i'll call tomorrow to make sure .

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

i'm guessing it won't violate the CAT warranty changing the stock quick connectors to Milton V ..... i'll call tomorrow to make sure .

If you do this take a propane torch and heat up the fitting. The manifold is aluminum and the fittings are glued in. It doesn't take much heat but if you don't you will crack the alumin manifold. Ask me how I know.....

 

[jeff-1961]

i just got off the phone with CAT , they confirmed what you said iron about them gluing them on and having to use heat to take the quick connectors off . but , they looked up the drop ship order up for me from home depot and are not going to glue on the connectors for my 4620A . they said only use teflon tape when installing my connectors of choice .

thanks folks