Air Line Crimp Tool?

[Bessy]

Hi All,

I've recently been working on making some improvements to my air system in the shop. I'm looking for recommendations on a happy medium between price and performance for a crimping tool for 1/4" to 1/2" air hose fittings? I am hoping to make up a few shorter pieces of hose for my system, and looking for the cleanest, leak free method of attaching new ends.

TIA!

B.

 

[GeoBruin]

Hi All,

I've recently been working on making some improvements to my air system in the shop. I'm looking for recommendations on a happy medium between price and performance for a crimping tool for 1/4" to 1/2" air hose fittings? I am hoping to make up a few shorter pieces of hose for my system, and looking for the cleanest, leak free method of attaching new ends.

TIA!

B.

This model is pretty ubiquitous. I'm convinced that every version available for sale is made in the same factory, it the style seems most closely associated with the Interstate Pneumatics name.

The trick is you will have to find a version that comes with dies for 1/2" hoses, or else pick up the dies separately.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093JPQ4E?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[theoldwizard1]

The good crimpers have replaceable dies. The BEST ones have 6 segment replaceable dies and use hydraulics (although the Interstate one on Amazon look interesting).

Mastercool is the "standard" in the automotive world (only 2 segment die) and I don't know if the have dies for 1/2" air hose.

 

[rlitman]

The good crimpers have replaceable dies. The BEST ones have 6 segment replaceable dies and use hydraulics (although the Interstate one on Amazon look interesting).

Mastercool is the "standard" in the automotive world (only 2 segment die) and I don't know if the have dies for 1/2" air hose.

I have the Mastercool (not the hydraulic version, but the crimps are the same). The dies LOOK like a 6 segment, with 6 metal pieces, and there is a little elasticity in the plastic that sort of simulates a 6-way crimp, but I agree that the resultant crimp really only has symmetry in one plane. It works well enough for R134a barrier hoses (why I bought it). Yes, there are dies in the full set (go with the knockoff, they come with more dies by default) that can handle the 1/2" air hose ferrules. And yes, they make excellent crimps that would be fine for air (NOT hydraulic hoses). However...

I bought a box of 1/2" Milton brass ferrules, and found the best crimps I can get on them were using the hex dies from my hydraulic battery cable crimper. I forget which "wire gauge" die I ended up using, but I was making whip hoses for some die grinders where I wanted a nicely finished hose, and the hex worked the best.

But, if you're connecting an air hose to a barb fitting, the only time I would bother with a brass ferrule is if there's the chance the fitting will end up near the operator's hand and you want something smooth. In every other case, the right sized Oetiker clamp is a better and far cheaper choice. Cover that up with a piece of heat shrink to keep the cinch ear from scratching and catching stuff.

 

[GeoBruin]

Sorry, I gave bad info above. It looks like Dixon is the original OEM for this style of crimper. Also, it looks like there are two sizes. You would need the smaller one (855) for 3/8" hose, and the larger (860) for 1/2" hose.

Kind of an inconvenient split considering those are the two most popular size hoses.

The hydraulic AC hose crimpers may work, but they dies are for #6, #8, #10 etc AC hose and I don't know how precisely those would match air hose ferrules.

 

[Spareparts]

I have mentioned it here before, but Imperial Eastman makes a swedge wheel that replaces the cutter
wheel on their tubing cutter. just slide the brass ferrel over the hose, insert the desired fitting in the
hose and crimp the fitting in a couple of places. Been using mine for at least 15 yrs with no failures.

 

[rlitman]

...The hydraulic AC hose crimpers may work, but they dies are for #6, #8, #10 etc AC hose and I don't know how precisely those would match air hose ferrules...

#6 standard hose has a 3/4" OD, so that's not going to work. #6 reduced barrier hose is 9/16" OD, and I would expect that die to work perfectly, IF you happen to have that die. My basic Mastercool kit didn't come with it, but a lot of the no-name kits (especially the hydraulic ones) do come with full die sets.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought the MASTERCOOL hose crimper on AMAZON. I applied a coupon and I got a significant reduction in the price. I have had the crimper for several years and I have not had a chance to use it, yet.
This is my second Mastercool tool. The flaring tool works really well. I have used the flare tool often.

 

[GeoBruin]

#6 standard hose has a 3/4" OD, so that's not going to work. #6 reduced barrier hose is 9/16" OD, and I would expect that die to work perfectly, IF you happen to have that die. My basic Mastercool kit didn't come with it, but a lot of the no-name kits (especially the hydraulic ones) do come with full die sets.

So that's for 3/8" ID hose. What about 1/2" ID? I suspect it's close to 7/8" OD.

 

[rlitman]

So that's for 3/8" ID hose. What about 1/2" ID? I suspect it's close to 7/8" OD.

Getting off-topic here, but #6 barrier hose is actually 5/16" ID, mated to 3/8" OD tubing. 1/2" ID barrier hose (5/8" OD tubing) would be #10, and that has a 1" OD for standard hose and 3/4" OD for reduced barrier hose.

 

[GeoBruin]

Getting off-topic here, but #6 barrier hose is actually 5/16" ID, mated to 3/8" OD tubing. 1/2" ID barrier hose (5/8" OD tubing) would be #10, and that has a 1" OD for standard hose and 3/4" OD for reduced barrier hose.

Soin other words, there is no compatible die for 1/2" ID air hose.

 

[The Cobbler]

Sorry, I gave bad info above. It looks like Dixon is the original OEM for this style of crimper. Also, it looks like there are two sizes. You would need the smaller one (855) for 3/8" hose, and the larger (860) for 1/2" hose.

Kind of an inconvenient split considering those are the two most popular size hoses.

The hydraulic AC hose crimpers may work, but they dies are for #6, #8, #10 etc AC hose and I don't know how precisely those would match air hose ferrules.

I have one of those that could possibly be for sale along with a bunch of ferrules

 

[scooby074]

Oeteger double ear clamps and barb fittings works really well. Cheapest option https://www.oetiker.com/en-us/products/clamps-and-rings/ear-clamps/pg101_151

If you have a big budget, Parker pushlok hose and fittings make a very smooth setup https://ph.parker.com/ca/en/series/push-lok-and-push-on-hoses

Flexzilla has a reusable setup that works with their hose too https://flexzilla.com/air/

All these dont require any special tooks or crimpers