Milton V style hi-flo vs. 3/8 T automotive

bchee · Mar 3, 2011

What do you guys think about converting from the milton V-style hi-flo plugs to 3/8" plugs.

I measured the ID and the 3/8 plug is actually smaller on the threaded end.

Has anyone done this? I wasn't sure how to search for this because "3/8" doesn't bring up what I'm looking for.

I wasn't sure how to interpret these 2 threads:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=636143
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=535666&postcount=70

The 3/8 plugs and couplers are definitely bigger and heavier.

By the way the plug in the picture is the Harbor Freight copy
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-hi-flo-male-plug-set-65894.html

diesel research · Mar 3, 2011

Hope they aren't like the 1/2 plugs and almost impossible to disconnect under pressure?

Muffduster · Mar 3, 2011

diesel research said:
Hope they aren't like the 1/2 plugs and almost impossible to disconnect under pressure?

They are.

diesel research · Mar 3, 2011

Muffduster said:
They are.

Those are annoying. Hold the tool. Hold/push in on air line, while pulling back on coupler.

Of course if you have a metal impact, you can save one step by pressing it against concrete, allowing 2 hands free to push in on hose while pulling back on lock.

shampoop · Mar 3, 2011

diesel research said:
Hope they aren't like the 1/2 plugs and almost impossible to disconnect under pressure?

The 3/8" automotive "T" style is all i've ever used. Plenty easy to remove under pressure.

edit: i meant 1/4". I can't imagine the 3/8" ones being significantly harder. The 1/4" ones are extremely easy every time.

Muffduster · Mar 3, 2011

shampoop said:
The 3/8" automotive "T" style is all i've ever used. Plenty easy to remove under pressure.

Maybe if its lubed up with crisco.

tatra · Mar 3, 2011

http://www.oetiker.com/content.asp?l=4&idNavig=1

use these at work and love em..........

diesel research · Mar 3, 2011

shampoop said:
The 3/8" automotive "T" style is all i've ever used. Plenty easy to remove under pressure.

edit: i meant 1/4". I can't imagine the 3/8" ones being significantly harder. The 1/4" ones are extremely easy every time.

We have 2 types of drop lines. 1/4" and 1/2". I'd love to tap into the 1/2" line to utilize more air power/less line loss, but they are a royal beast to work with. Night and day difference between 1/4". Last employers setup was same way, so I have to wonder how the 3/8 is.

The difference was the requirement to push in to release, where the 1/4" just kinda slide the collar back and everything pops off.

bchee · Mar 4, 2011

U guys didn't really help me at all.

I'm thinking about switching to the 3/8 cuz my local home depot has the plugs on clearance at 50 cents each (steel) and of course they flow more air. The couplers are also on clearance (< $3.00).

The nice thing about the milton hi-flo v-style is you push the plug into the coupler without having to pull the sleeve back. Removing it is a little tricky but I think it's only because the knurling is not very aggressive, and I don't think it's related to the pressure.

The HF copies of the milton v couplers have 6 balls inside.

Bo Heck · Mar 4, 2011

I had the HF copies and the knurling sucked, it was near impossible to pull the collar back, and they leaked. Switched to Milton V style, knurling was much better, on/off is no problem, no leaks. This was 1/4"

cglasgow · Mar 4, 2011

bchee said:
U guys didn't really help me at all.

I'm thinking about switching to the 3/8 cuz my local home depot has the plugs on clearance at 50 cents each (steel) and of course they flow more air. The couplers are also on clearance (< $3.00).

The nice thing about the milton hi-flo v-style is you push the plug into the coupler without having to pull the sleeve back. Removing it is a little tricky but I think it's only because the knurling is not very aggressive, and I don't think it's related to the pressure.

The HF copies of the milton v couplers have 6 balls inside.

Can't speak the toward the 3/8", but I always used 'A' style because of what you mention -- just push to connect, and they come apart easy. Of course I didn't realise to lately how little air they flow. I've since switched to 'V' style and I'm amazed at the difference in airflow. They're a little harder to connect (you have to push a little harder) and a little harder to disconnect, but other than that I like them.

If the 3/8" ones aren't push-to-connect (i.e. if you have to pull back the collar) I wouldn't switch to them, even if they were on clearance....

My $0.02....

chewy7 · Mar 4, 2011

bchee said:
U guys didn't really help me at all.

I'm thinking about switching to the 3/8 cuz my local home depot has the plugs on clearance at 50 cents each (steel) and of course they flow more air. The couplers are also on clearance (< $3.00).

The nice thing about the milton hi-flo v-style is you push the plug into the coupler without having to pull the sleeve back. Removing it is a little tricky but I think it's only because the knurling is not very aggressive, and I don't think it's related to the pressure.

The HF copies of the milton v couplers have 6 balls inside.

don't waste your money, the 3/8 are not much better. Stick with the milton v series and don't be such a wussy on how hard it is to disconnect.

Garage_Mahal · Mar 4, 2011

Get Prevost safety couplings. They relieve the air pressure and snap on with a gentle push.

bchee · Mar 11, 2011

I discovered a very simple trick for uncoupling. Push the tool (with plug) INTO the coupling and the sleeve pulls back with far less effort.

Zrexxer · Mar 11, 2011

diesel research said:
Hope they aren't like the 1/2 plugs and almost impossible to disconnect under pressure?

They behave absolutely no differently under pressure than the standard M style do.

Milton V style hi-flo vs. 3/8 T automotive

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