Connecting air tools at full pressure

[Beaupr]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been discussed before. I did try searching, but couldn't find anything and tried different wording for what I'm asking in my searches.

Looking for what others have done to make it easier to connect air tools when the pressure is at 90 PSI (where I have it regulated at the tank which is far away from my hose). I have my shop air plumbed with drops away from the compressor.

Are there any inline 'valves' that can be installed at the end of the air hose, that can allow a tool to be connected more easily?

I am thinking my only option is to add a shut off valve at the drop at the wall, and open a drain valve to relieve the pressure. Once the tool is connected, re-open the shut off valve.

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[sparky 1971]

You could put a ball valve with a small handle that will almost always be in the way at the end of the hose, but what is difficult about connecting at full pressure? I have a few regulators, but every single one of them is sitting in a drawer, which means I am sitting somewhere between 105 and 155 psi (tank pressure) when I connect; yeah, sometimes there is a blast of air that comes out if I'm not straight enough but it's certainly not hard to put a tool on a hose.

 

[mike93lx]

Maybe time for new quick releases or to clean/oil yours?

 

[whateg01]

You could put a ball valve with a small handle that will almost always be in the way at the end of the hose, but what is difficult about connecting at full pressure? I have a few regulators, but every single one of them is sitting in a drawer, which means I am sitting somewhere between 105 and 155 psi (tank pressure) when I connect; yeah, sometimes there is a blast of air that comes out if I'm not straight enough but it's certainly not hard to put a tool on a hose.

I could see where somebody with arthritis or maybe just weaker hands might have trouble gripping the hose or tool.

Yes, putting a valve at each drop and then bleeding off any pressure in that hose would do what you want.

 

[larry_g]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has been discussed before. I did try searching, but couldn't find anything and tried different wording for what I'm asking in my searches.

Looking for what others have done to make it easier to connect air tools when the pressure is at 90 PSI (where I have it regulated at the tank which is far away from my hose). I have my shop air plumbed with drops away from the compressor.

Are there any inline 'valves' that can be installed at the end of the air hose, that can allow a tool to be connected more easily?

I am thinking my only option is to add a shut off valve at the drop at the wall, and open a drain valve to relieve the pressure. Once the tool is connected, re-open the shut off valve.

Thanks in advance for any input!

How are you presently connecting the tool that requires you to remove pressure? Most use a quick connect devise that has an automatic shutoff in it and opens when the tool is plugged into it.


lg

 

[loganb]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QY41YZP?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've had these installed for almost a year and very happy. Easy learning curve, feel quality, compatible with a range of common male fitting ends. In a home garage so not industrial use but I won't hesitate to recommend them

 

[Beaupr]

I'm using Milton V style couplers that have the outer 'ring' pressed back so when you press on the fitting, the outer ring then snaps into place. Maybe I need to pull those back (further) ? I didn't think they needed to be but maybe thats the case.

 

[Beaupr]

Maybe time for new quick releases or to clean/oil yours?

The ones I have are all relatively new

 

[drmarkr]

I never put a tool on an air line without pulling the lock ring back. 50 plus year habit, I guess.

 

[tarbellb]

Where did homeboy go that designed a very nice looking air coupler for this exact thing?

I forget his GJ name but he was legit, started a company, sold a few here

There are also competitors, they release the air before connect/disconnect, more a safety feature but also helps with ops

 

[loganb]

Where did homeboy go that designed a very nice looking air coupler for this exact thing?

I forget his GJ name but he was legit, started a company, sold a few here

There are also competitors, they release the air before connect/disconnect, more a safety feature but also helps with ops

Stedlin was the company name, they went out of business. I had a couple and they worked well but switched to the Milton as they were cheaper and I thought the larger size made them easier to use

 

[Steve W.]

I have ball valves above and below the air ports. Yes, plugging in the device with no pressure at the coupler is easier, but it's not all that bad, unless, as others have suggested, you have arthrities or some other issue that simply makes it too hard.

My ball valves were not installed for that application, though. The original intent was to minimize any potential leaks by only pressurizing the drop that was in use. The lower valve at each drop simply vents any moisture that might have collected in the leg.

.

 

[scooby074]

oetiker swing coupler https://www.fastenal.ca/product/details/0400426

 

[whateg01]

All of the safety couplers only release the air pressure before letting go of the coupling so that a hose isn't flopping around from the pressure that's built up. None do anything to make it easier to insert the tool.

Not all couplings require the locking sleeve to be pulled back. Some stray retracted until a tool is inserted then automatically slide forward. Others must be pulled back to insert the tool

OP, what is it that makes it hard to insert? Do you have trouble gripping the hose, for example? Would having some sort of grip or collar make it easier?

 

[mikedodge]

The easiest way would be to put ball valves at your drops. Turn the valve off when you're done with the tool, If you're having a problem disconnecting the tool with the pressure pull the trigger on the tool to release some of it. When you go to use the tool again there will be no pressure to fight against until you open the valve again.

Whatever pressure is there with the valve off shouldn't be an issue, when you go to connect a hose or tool to the connector the end should push in enough to release the air so at some point it will be low enough for you to easily connect it.

If the pressure in the drop is a problem you could always put a T the drop somewhere with a second valve so that you can release the air in that line once the first valve is closed.

 

[whateg01]

What is the line pressure where you are connecting? Connecting to 150 psig is going to be harder than 90 psig

 

[Beaupr]

Maybe time for new quick releases or to clean/oil yours?

Okay - I feel really stupid. Even though yes as I mentioned the fittings are all relatively new with not alot of use, I still went back to the shop and sprayed a bit of oil in the outer sleeves. They work MUCH better now with little effort to connect them.

Thanks for everyone's replies and especially to @mike93lx 's for the recommendation to oil them. I wouldn't have though it was necessary but clearly it is.

OP, what is it that makes it hard to insert? Do you have trouble gripping the hose, for example?

No trouble gripping them, it again just seemed it was due to the pressure not allowing the fitting to close.

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

 

[mike93lx]

Okay - I feel really stupid. Even though yes as I mentioned the fittings are all relatively new with not alot of use, I still went back to the shop and sprayed a bit of oil in the outer sleeves. They work MUCH better now with little effort to connect them.

Thanks for everyone's replies and especially to @mike93lx 's for the recommendation to oil them. I wouldn't have though it was necessary but clearly it is.


No trouble gripping them, it again just seemed it was due to the pressure not allowing the fitting to close.

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

No one' s time was wasted

 

[RTM]

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

No one' s time was wasted

Agreed, I don't use my air tools much, but never thought to oil the outer sleeves of the connectors. Will be testing that theory in a few weeks, as I have a project coming up that will need three guns at the fence line, and my three way splitter is a little stiff.

Thanks to the OP for asking a good question.

 

[GeoBruin]

That was Stedlin's whole thing. Easy insertion and safe, quiet disconnection. It's really a shame they couldn't make it competing against imported stuff. I still have quite a few of his quick couplers, plugs and swivels and they truly are unrivaled.

Here's a video I made a few years ago testing the insertion force of a few popular high flow style Quick Coupler/Plug combinations.

 

[johnre]

I still went back to the shop and sprayed a bit of oil in the outer sleeves. They work MUCH better now with little effort to connect them.

Can I ask what kind of oil / lubricant you used?

And I would think a faucet washer grease would be better, as there are O-rings in the female quick-connect couplers.

Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

No one' s time was wasted

This is Garage Journal. We have the time.

 

[Rockable]

Google Parker E Z Mate couples. Once you use them, you'll never go back. Also, the shut off valve is a handy safety device.

 

[mepstein]

If you have issues that limit your hand strength, there are definitely tools and devices to help. I purposely don’t use them because I want to keep my hand strength up. Use it or loose it.

“Grip strength is not just a measure of hand function; it is a primary clinical biomarker for systemic health, frailty, and mortality risk. Research demonstrates that a

decrease in grip strength correlates with a 16% higher risk of all-cause mortality.
Cleveland Clinic Newsroom “

 

[dnschmidt]

Prevost already makes what you need. The black coupler shown in the video above is the best I've used.

 

[Beaupr]

Can I ask what kind of oil / lubricant you used?

And I would think a faucet washer grease would be better, as there are O-rings in the female quick-connect couplers.



This is Garage Journal. We have the time.

Thanks again everyone!

I only sprayed a small amount of CRC Screwloose at the top of the outer ring, not the inside of the coupler. After moving and turning the outer ring, this seemed to do the trick.

 

[danielbuck]

Prevost already makes what you need. The black coupler shown in the video above is the best I've used.

I'll second the Prevost. I put one of these on a hose reel that my wife uses sometimes, she likes it way better than standard ones.

 

[drmarkr]

Thanks again everyone!

I only sprayed a small amount of CRC Screwloose at the top of the outer ring, not the inside of the coupler. After moving and turning the outer ring, this seemed to do the trick.

I might've missed it, but are you pulling the lock ring back with the hose hand before inserting the tool?? It definitely helps.

 

[Schurkey]

oetiker swing coupler https://www.fastenal.ca/product/details/0400426

I have a couple of those. They're cool...but they're Industrial Interchange (Milton "M") so they won't work with my Euro High-Flow (Milton V) coupler plugs.

It occurs to me that they'd be good on my compression testers, though. All of mine--and most but not all of the industry--uses Industrial Interchange on compression testers that have a quick-connect in the pressure hose.

 

[Firebrick43]

All of the safety couplers only release the air pressure before letting go of the coupling so that a hose isn't flopping around from the pressure that's built up. None do anything to make it easier to insert the tool.

Not all couplings require the locking sleeve to be pulled back. Some stray retracted until a tool is inserted then automatically slide forward. Others must be pulled back to insert the tool

OP, what is it that makes it hard to insert? Do you have trouble gripping the hose, for example? Would having some sort of grip or collar make it easier?

The oetiker swing coupler has almost no insertion force, very durable, seal well and reliably even in an industrial environment, and release the pressure while uncoupling. The down side is cost

 

[ecotec]

I have always connected air tools at regular pressure, the only exceptions are blow guns that I regulate, at the tool, so as to not destroy things like sun roofs and headliners.

You can use a valve or a valve with a gauge to do that.

 

[308guru]

Some couplers are easier to connect under pressure than others are. Try a few different ones and see what you think.

Otherwise, you could install a 3 way valve to dump the line pressure before you connect. Seems like a waste of air and time though considering some couplers might get you what you need.

 

[RTM]

Otherwise, you could install a 3 way valve to dump the line pressure before you connect. Seems like a waste of air and time though considering some couplers might get you what you need.

If you mount the three way near the coupler, would be a trivial loss, but the added bulk might be a bigger loss.

 

[txvwnut]

That was Stedlin's whole thing. Easy insertion and safe, quiet disconnection. It's really a shame they couldn't make it competing against imported stuff. I still have quite a few of his quick couplers, plugs and swivels and they truly are unrivaled.

Here's a video I made a few years ago testing the insertion force of a few popular high flow style Quick Coupler/Plug combinations.

I don't think it was import competition that caused the demise of Stedlin. I used to buy quite a bit from them and they switched to Amazon for their purchasing and delivery instead direct off of their website, it was shortly after that they just disappeared from the market and the website went offline.

 

[GeoBruin]

I don't think it was import competition that caused the demise of Stedlin. I used to buy quite a bit from them and they switched to Amazon for their purchasing and delivery instead direct off of their website, it was shortly after that they just disappeared from the market and the website went offline.

I just looked at Frank's last post and this is what it said:

"Stedlin manufacturing is no more.

We tried our best but never made a profit.

We ceased all our manufacturing operations almost a year ago, and have just been selling off the inventory.

I had asked my partners previously if they were interested in having the our products manufactured offshore, and they declined.

I occasionally wonder if I should’ve stayed retired back in 2003.

I am certainly appreciative of all the positive feedback we have received.

Frank Stearns"

I thought I remembered Frank saying something about the cost of domestic manufacturing, but it may have been in the comments in response to the post.

 

[finn]

The inexpensive RapidAir knockoff piping system I bought includes a ball valve at each drop fitting.

Otherwise, the Milton fittings are much smoother than the imports from HF and the like.

I make a habit of pulling back the outer sleeve whenever I am swapping tools.

 

[txvwnut]

I just looked at Frank's last post and this is what it said:

"Stedlin manufacturing is no more.

We tried our best but never made a profit.

We ceased all our manufacturing operations almost a year ago, and have just been selling off the inventory.

I had asked my partners previously if they were interested in having the our products manufactured offshore, and they declined.

I occasionally wonder if I should’ve stayed retired back in 2003.

I am certainly appreciative of all the positive feedback we have received.

Frank Stearns"

I thought I remembered Frank saying something about the cost of domestic manufacturing, but it may have been in the comments in response to the post.

Well that answers my question of what happened. Missed seeing that post from Frank.