Harbor Freight 21 gallon pressure switch line

[esvee]

In installing an automatic drain valve, I regretfully cut the metal pressure switch line on my compressor. I should be able to just go to a hardware store and replace it, right? Wrong!



It looks like a 1/8 FIP on one end and a 1/4 comp on the other side. Finding an easy way to replace this is seeming difficult - should I bite the bullet and order replacement parts from HF or am I missing something obvious?

 

[GeoBruin]

In installing an automatic drain valve, I regretfully cut the metal pressure switch line on my compressor. I should be able to just go to a hardware store and replace it, right? Wrong!



It looks like a 1/8 FIP on one end and a 1/4 comp on the other side. Finding an easy way to replace this is seeming difficult - should I bite the bullet and order

It doesn't need to be metal hard line. The line to the pressure switch on mine is plastic tubing. That might be easier to replace and you can just use compression fittings with adapters for whatever threads are on both ends if needed. Any other metal for which you can find fittings should also work (brass, copper, etc.)

If it's the HF auto drain valve you've got, it comes with a ton of extra plastic tubing. Cut some of that off and repurpose it.

 

[david3921]

You could also just splice the line with a compression fitting.

 

[The Cobbler]

some of those lines have an odd ball crimp on them with NPT nuts.
if you are sure they are as you describe, that's an easy fix . not sure why you're having trouble.
maybe snap some pics of what you're dealing with .

 

[esvee]

some of those lines have an odd ball crimp on them with NPT nuts.
if you are sure they are as you describe, that's an easy fix . not sure why you're having trouble.
maybe snap some pics of what you're dealing with .

The difficulty is the different fitting on each end. Couldn't find a local supplier who could take a FIP to a comp without multiple adapters.

 

[whateg01]

Are you trying to buy a premade line? Why not but the pipe and the fittings and make it?

 

[The Cobbler]

The difficulty is the different fitting on each end. Couldn't find a local supplier who could take a FIP to a comp without multiple adapters.

if you have IP size on one end, you also have a "flat" washer shaped ferule on that end? on the check valve end?
can you get a 1/4 compression union & join it back together?

 

[esvee]

This is what I'm working with, FIP on the left, comp on the right. HF doesn't sell the part anymore, so DIY is my only path.

 

[dogdog]

Take a section of the tubing or measure the od of the tubing. The connector piece go to homedepot and get the copper tubing equivalent of it, the head over to the other side of plumbing isle and get the ferrules and head back home and install. No need to flare. But that nut is important, if it is odd ball metric then you might have to change it out.

That is what I did for the craftsman oil less compressor when the tubes crapped out

 

[dogdog]

From your first pic that tube looks like a 1/4 od maybe a 3/16

 

[david3921]

Replace the check valve with fittings that are common. Amazon has a number of different styles and are cheap.