So, moving my compressor into my other garage I decided to switch everything over to the Milton high flow V-style couplers and *******. I've noticed they are very hard to connect together. Is that indicative of these couplers? My son can barely get air tools connected and it's a little workout for myself!
Milton V-style Couplers Hard to Operate
- Thread starter bfr57
- Start date
Radix2
Well-known member
That's odd, the nice thing about the v connectors is that you don't have to pull back the collar to insert, you just push the connector in.
...is the problem the pressure is so high it makes it too hard? How about unpressurized connections? Any different?
...is the problem the pressure is so high it makes it too hard? How about unpressurized connections? Any different?
Jeepster04
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I imagine it is the pressure thats making it hard to engage them. My V's are pretty tough to push in but the ones I have laying around that area on a hose can easily be pushed in.
Leveleer
Well-known member
sberry
Banned
"better" strikes again. I had considered something easier. but am going to use what I have. Most career types I know including a couple master plumbers still use the same stuff they started with.
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Trey T
Well-known member
Go with these types:
Milton safety coupler
Husky safety coupler
Those are the poorman's Prevost version. HF has their own knock-off but they're poorly made, won't seal properly after short while. The Husky is very well made and cheap. I don't have Milton version but I think it should be on par with Husky or better.
Milton safety coupler
Husky safety coupler
Those are the poorman's Prevost version. HF has their own knock-off but they're poorly made, won't seal properly after short while. The Husky is very well made and cheap. I don't have Milton version but I think it should be on par with Husky or better.
Leveleer
Well-known member
I have tested a fair number of compressed air quick disconnects and by far the Miton V is the hardest to engage.
justanengineer
Well-known member
You found the reason many professionals dont use cheap fittings.
Try these and thank me later.
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0400426
Try these and thank me later.
https://www.fastenal.com/products/details/0400426
I didn't see on Milton's site where they have a safety coupler for "V" high flow?
Did I miss it?
sberry
Banned
' http://www.miltonindustries.com/couplers-and-plugs.html?cat=94 I just started with this and continued. My Buds all used common auto **** and they seemed to do just fine. All rated the same no matter what the configuration. I like them as I use it for everything, use it for 1/2 hose and 3/4 gun too.
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Leveleer
Well-known member
Over 40 dollars apiece? Yikes! I bought 2 from Amazon for that price.
They are not high flow either.
It wasn't V Milton, but the regular style I had that wore out quickly. I still have some HF ones that do not leak that outlasted the Milton. The Milton didn't leak but was near impossible to connect and disconnect. ***** because Id rather buy US/Canadian made stuff.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I'll try them if you're willing to sponsor me for them.
Nice, but too pricey for me. I'll stick with my V's and enjoy the increased hand strength they develop...
Tommy
rburke65
Well-known member
Wow....that's big bucks in my book!
justanengineer
Well-known member
Meh, $40 is the Fastenal list price for each, nobody pays that and nobody's likely to buy one either. I'd expect them to be ~$25 each which yes is still pricey for many but these last significantly longer than Miltons IME and certainly flow more. Mine were work freebies, the best variety.
To each their own tho, I'm not out to argue HF vs SO with folks here.
NewShockerGuy
Well-known member
I love my Prevost safety couplers. I've had them for years now. Super easy to connect and disconnect things. I have a normal quick connect on my little tiny portable air compressor and it's such a pita connecting things on top of making a loud pop when you disconnect things. It makes me realize why I paid the 20 bucks for the Prevosts.
-Nigel
-Nigel
Leveleer
Well-known member
Prevost is a good coupler. What I don't especially like about the S1 is the physical size and the insertion force which is about 30 pounds at 120 PSI.
sberry
Banned
I did have some issues with different brands of the same couplers, Seems I recall the Parkers didn't want to seal against the Miltons.
OutlawDrifter
Well-known member
I switched to Milton V's a year ago or so. At higher pressures it does take more effort, but not enough to go back to a lesser fitting.
My current preference: http://ariatools-inc.com/product/high-flow-coupler-38-mnpt-14-body-copy/
Easier to connect than most I've tried, even @ 150 PSI.
Easier to connect than most I've tried, even @ 150 PSI.
"Aren't that hard" is a matter of perspective.
I've used many types of air couplers, while some are more of a PITA than others, ones I've had no difficulty with are potentially dangerous to my father (he's in his 80s).
If you follow the link posted earlier about "answers" there is a YouTube video linked with a "force test" of a Milton V coupler.
The author uses a load cell to push the coupler to full engagement, it took over 400Lb of push.
Not a problem if you are the only one working in there, but if anyone you care about, with less upper body strength than yourself, uses any compressed air, you may want to exercise great care in choosing your couplers.
Edit: thank you all, yes, next time I'll get a closer view, just over 40, not 400.
Still looks like the author is having difficulty.
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...The author uses a load cell to push the coupler to full engagement, it took over 400Lb of push.
I think you missed the decimal point.
I think you missed the decimal point.
Yep, on my bigger monitor, there is clearly two digits after a decimal.
On my netbook and phone it really looked like a WTF!!
Leveleer
Well-known member
"Aren't that hard" is a matter of perspective.
I've used many types of air couplers, while some are more of a PITA than others, ones I've had no difficulty with are potentially dangerous to my father (he's in his 80s).
If you follow the link posted earlier about "answers" there is a YouTube video linked with a "force test" of a Milton V coupler.
The author uses a load cell to push the coupler to full engagement, it took over 400Lb of push.
Not a problem if you are the only one working in there, but if anyone you care about, with less upper body strength than yourself, uses any compressed air, you may want to exercise great care in choosing your couplers.
The Milton V is rated up to 300 PSI.
Anyone brave enough and or strong enough to attempt to connect it at the rated pressure?
If so, I'll make sure I'm at a safe distance before you attempt to disconnect it.
I have some Milton V knock offs I bought at Menards that are much easier to connect. No doubt because they are rated at a much lower (more realistic pressure)
Leveleer
Well-known member
I was curious as to why the Menards high flow coupling was so much easier to connect then the Milton V so I disassembled both to determine the cause.
My conclusion is that the Menards version is a significant improvement in design.
The Menards version is a one piece poppet and the Milton is not and as a result the Milton has an effective aperture that is much larger due to a much larger o-ring.
The Milton also has a tendency for the poppet to shift off center causing leakage.
Milton V style poppet on the left in the photo.
My conclusion is that the Menards version is a significant improvement in design.
The Menards version is a one piece poppet and the Milton is not and as a result the Milton has an effective aperture that is much larger due to a much larger o-ring.
The Milton also has a tendency for the poppet to shift off center causing leakage.
Milton V style poppet on the left in the photo.
Trey T
Well-known member
can you link the Menards high flow coupler? How does it perform and how long have you had it?
Leveleer
Well-known member
Oddly I can not find them online. I'll go by the local Menards and try and find out why they aren't online.
I have been using them for about 9 months to a year and never had a problem.
They appear to be very well made.
scooby074
Well-known member
Those swing couplers are the best coupler Ive ever used.
A former employer went on a massive pneumatic safety kick (safety release couplers, 3way dump valves for larger airlines etc) and bought these exact couplers. Almost like a swiss watch for quality. I know they didnt pay $40 ea, but they were "expensive" or so we were told.
Ive used Miltons, including their Provost knockoffs (which **** btw, they start leaking in no time, even using genuine Milton plugs) and the Oetiker are the nicest.
Also for anyone having strength issues, they are very easy to hook up too.
Just found a video showing them in detail, including the method of coupling
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Leveleer
Well-known member
Back to the Milton V couplers, If one were to use it at the rated pressure of 300 PSI, it would take just about 100 pounds of force to connect it and probably significantly more to disconnect it assuming it would even be possible. If you did manage to disconnect it you would be wise to wear protective gear like a flak jacket and very good hearing protection to say the least.
Leveleer
Well-known member
Leveleer
Well-known member
MJockey
Well-known member
Will this coupler work with standard industrial (Milton M) plugs also?
Leveleer
Well-known member
Good question. I don't remember. I will check it out when I get back to my shop.
Leveleer
Well-known member
I just tested one and the answer is a definite YES.
Jeepster04
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Ive had that Oring on my Milton become dislodged. It slightly cut the oring and I think I couldve just reset it but I bent the housing in my vice...
Leveleer
Well-known member
That is not surprising to me at all. I have had the poppet o-ring come partially out of the groove and cause a massive blast of air directly at me that I couldn't stop without turning the supply valve off. This happened more then once.
The Milton V 1/4 coupler is a terrible design!
Highly un-recommended by me!
I'm thinking about making a video explaining it in detail.
Leveleer
Well-known member
This is one of my Milton V couplers that jammed and leaked constantly.
If anyone is interested, I will make a video showing why the Milton V is a horrible design.