Air tool swivel fittings: looking for feedback

[Leveleer]

I am looking for some feedback from people who use or have used them and also from people who don't use them and can explain why they choose not to.

My company Stedlin.com is now manufacturing a small line of products we call Orbitals.
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In this video Justin Medlin of Stedlin Manufacturing is demonstrating one of our orbital fittings connected to an air ratchet and a Goodyear 3/8" by 3 foot whip hose.

 

[rlitman]

I use and like them, though the bulk of the double elbow ones makes me only use them where I need the extra articulation. I find that the ball swivels with about 20 degrees of freedom are a good substitute for just about any regular male QD fitting, just to put a little less stress on the hose end.

 

[Leveleer]

That's useful. Thanks for the feedback.

I use and like them, though the bulk of the double elbow ones makes me only use them where I need the extra articulation. I find that the ball swivels with about 20 degrees of freedom are a good substitute for just about any regular male QD fitting, just to put a little less stress on the hose end.

 

[aczr2k]

I like them but sometimes they are awkward finger pinchers that tend to leak.

 

[sberry]

I find I can do without them. I have 50 air tools and don't own one.

 

[American Locomotive]

I have a ball-socket style swivel fitting on my die grinder, and find it handy.

 

[dsimatt]

I have one on my air ratchet that is nice, always planned on doing my impactson to but never got around to it.

 

[Bobioz1]

They are awesome! And then they leak.

 

[mbshop]

I used a ball swivel on my smaller tools. But not on my 1/2 or 3/8 impact gun. I mostly used my 1/4 ratchet and it had one on it and it made a great differance.
didn't like the swivel style.

 

[Super Mech]

I have the full swivels on my 1/4 & 3/8 ratchets. I like them. After time the o rings leak but it's an easy fix.

 

[Leveleer]

I used a ball swivel on my smaller tools. But not on my 1/2 or 3/8 impact gun. I mostly used my 1/4 ratchet and it had one on it and it made a great differance.
didn't like the swivel style.

You say you didn't like the "swivel style". What exactly are you referring to?

Thanks

 

[rlitman]

They are awesome! And then they leak.

The ball ones work like a teflon seated ball valve. You can always tighten the seat if they leak.

The elbow ones occasionally need a new o-ring and some lubrication, and I've never found one that couldn't be serviced by removing an circlip. An o-ring kit is worth it's weight in gold when you know how to (and how not to) put it to good use.

I used a ball swivel on my smaller tools. But not on my 1/2 or 3/8 impact gun. I mostly used my 1/4 ratchet and it had one on it and it made a great differance.
didn't like the swivel style.

I have 20+ air tools. Two swivels. One is on a tank, where the hose exits at an awkward angle. The other is on a pneumatic router with the hose exiting at the top, and the swivel lets me keep the hose out of the way in the same way that I'd route the cord on an electric router.

Otherwise, I'm with you: the elbow swivels get in the way. But on my die grinders, for example, I really like how a swivel keeps the hose from pulling on the tool in my hand. On an impact gun, I've had times where it helped me fit the gun in places where the QD would otherwise get in the way.

 

[Leveleer]

I have the full swivels on my 1/4 & 3/8 ratchets. I like them. After time the o rings leak but it's an easy fix.

What exactly is a full swivel?

 

[mike93lx]

My only air tools are nailers and all have ball swivels. If a new one doesn't come with it, i'll install one before using it.

 

[Bobioz1]

The ball ones work like a teflon seated ball valve. You can always tighten the seat if they leak.

The elbow ones occasionally need a new o-ring and some lubrication, and I've never found one that couldn't be serviced by removing an circlip. An o-ring kit is worth it's weight in gold when you know how to (and how not to) put it to good use.



I have 20+ air tools. Two swivels. One is on a tank, where the hose exits at an awkward angle. The other is on a pneumatic router with the hose exiting at the top, and the swivel lets me keep the hose out of the way in the same way that I'd route the cord on an electric router.

Otherwise, I'm with you: the elbow swivels get in the way. But on my die grinders, for example, I really like how a swivel keeps the hose from pulling on the tool in my hand. On an impact gun, I've had times where it helped me fit the gun in places where the QD would otherwise get in the way.

The ball ones, to me, aren't any better than a whip hose (something else I don't like). The elbow type are great until they wear out as in the joint loosens up or the holes elongate. I've used them from harbor freight to snap on and they all end up the same way.

 

[sberry]

I use H connectors and can manage with a second to orientate or get correct extension or socket on. I use the biggest drive I can most of the time, don't even own 3/8 impact as I can do it with 1/2. If I was under a hood or car 40 hours a week might tailor it a bit more but I can get the 1/2 gun on suspension no problem.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I don't use them. I've been using air tools for 25 years, and never once have I said, "Gee, if only I had a swivel fitting, I could have gotten this job done." If that day ever comes, I'll buy a few. I don't like introducing restrictions to airflow if I don't absolutely have to.

 

[ImportTuner]

They are awesome! And then they leak.

I have the same leaking issue .. so I stopped using them. I'm currently using a 3 feet whip instead.

 

[not-required]

I use them on my air ratchets, one 3/8 impact gun, some of my die grinders and my air drill. Nice for keeping the hose out of the way.

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[Mikeske]

Never used the swivels as a potential leak problem and been used air tools for over 45 years. Really see no need for them as a 3 foot whip works just as well.

 

[Lwel9226]

I have about 30+ air tools.... All have ball swivels with 2ft. whips..... easier to get into tight places and less wear & tear on quick connects.....

LynnW

 

[American Locomotive]

I have about 30+ air tools.... All have ball swivels with 2ft. whips..... easier to get into tight places and less wear & tear on quick connects.....

LynnW

That's what the hose on my die grinder is. Ball swivel with a 2 foot flexzilla whip. It's great!

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I am looking for some feedback from people who use or have used them and also from people who don't use them and can explain why they choose not to.
My motivation for this thread is because I have designed a new type.
I would like to show it but can't yet for legal reasons.

Once your legal issues are solved, I think a focus group should be set up. Everyone that has put input into this thread should have at least 3 mailed to them. Up this point I have never used a device of this type. Let us know when they are in the mail.

 

[Leveleer]

Once your legal issues are solved, I think a focus group should be set up. Everyone that has put input into this thread should have at least 3 mailed to them. Up this point I have never used a device of this type. Let us know when they are in the mail.

Thanks for the suggestion

I have never used a swivel fitting since I started using compressed air back in the 1960s. I am now doing testing comparing my version to what's available in the marketplace

i'm going to make a little video later today to demonstrate why it is that the ball swivels have a problem with leaking.

 

[Qualitytools]

I don't use my air tools that much and none have any kind of swivel connections on them although I have seen them elsewhere. However, reading the feedback raised awareness on a few points mentioned. Potential for leakage, ease of use, various types, etc....... Looking forward to your video!

 

[Cope]

I have swivel fittings on my air nailers and my air rivet gun. My air impacts and air ratchets have a 3'-5' whip with a swivel at the tool end. Only complaint is the whip swivels have started to leak, but they're over 30 years old.

 

[Tech89]

I have the Matco ones on quite a few of my air tools (not all pictured, but the red ones), the black one is a Mac one. The oldest one is probably 4 tears old and doesn't leak, and is on my 1/2 impact gun that gets used everyday regularly. Haven't had a problem with any of them leaking. Which is good because air leaks highly annoy me. I love how the weight of the hose isn't dragging on me so much and the versatility of getting into tighter spots.

-Pat

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[Schurkey]

Almost every air tool I own has a whip-hose, every whip hose has a ball swivel.

The air tools that don't have whips will get some soon.

I have been in the position where the quick-coupler directly on the tool prevented me from accessing "hidden" fasteners with tight tool clearance. I won't put up with that.

I've never had a ball swivel leak that wasn't fixed by simply tightening the swivel.

Build a high-flow version, and I'm interested. Otherwise the ordinary ball swivels are working fine for me.

 

[tarbellb]

Bump for interest, Leveleer always up to something!

 

[sberry]

I am always curious when one guy can fit the tool in and the next has problems.

 

[Finky198]

I have the ones from Lowes. Which I disected and ported, now they work great. I've had a few leak right for the start, but they were exchanged without issue I have them on every tool except my large air hammer and 2 mini air ratchets... so 10+ tools.

 

[Bellaireroad]

I use one at the end of the air line ...a prevost L coupler.... with a female quick connect after it... all of the tools just have a male connector .... works ok and much less expensive than having one on every tool


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[mustangtyson]

I have Dynabrade 95460's on my tools i need to get in tight spaces. They are nice but expensive around $25. I experimented with a cheap one from lowes, no problems yet, does not move as freely as the Dynabrade but is fine.

 

[scooby074]

I use them on all my main air tools. Helps a bunch to both shorten the tool (no air coupler hanging on tool handle) and make it easier to route the hose. Plus it makes the tool move easier, less resistance and the hose hangs more natural.

I use the Milton ones, both the standard and the adjustable flow model (handy on die grinders to slow the tool down). The china copies of them just leak and arent worth the time to install. I also run whips on several tools.

There are some CP ones made in France that look very nice. i think they might be a Atlas Copco design or maybe Copco offered them for sale. Quite expensive (something like $80 ea) but they look very well made. Visable around 1:00 in this video

 

[Zeke]

Leveleer, when are the straight couplers coming to market?

 

[Leveleer]

Lots of great feedback from members so far.

As promised earlier I tried to shoot a video demo but I had to abort due to poor lighting conditions. I will try again later.
I disassembled both a flexilla whip hose with ball joint and a typical simple 1/4 industrial ball swivel like everybody and his brother has.

I was not particularly surprised by what I found. The standard industrial swivel uses a soft o-ring for both sealing and as the joint which of course seriously over stresses the o-ring. The rubber o-ring will rapidly abrade when used in this manner.

I would never think of designing something like this.


I was equally unimpressed by the Flexilla. It has a different problem and a serious design flaw. Instead of over-stressing the o-ring, they decided to let the steel ball load against black anodized aluminum. Totally unacceptable to me.

Here's a picture showing how the black anodizing is rubbed off by the ball.

 

[Leveleer]

Build a high-flow version, and I'm interested. Otherwise the ordinary ball swivels are working fine for me.

I actually did make some high flow swivels and have been testing them and they work exceptionally well.

If you're interested and happen to be in the neighborhood, I'd be happy to demonstrate them.

 

[Leveleer]

Leveleer, when are the straight couplers coming to market?

Lots and lots of issues to work out.
Had a local police officer come by to test it out and he somehow got it to fail in a way I hadn't anticipated. Now it seems I have to make it "cop proof".
Complicated patent also.

 

[JOE.G]

I have some on my Nail guns and Staplers, I would like to try them on my Larger tools but I am worried about them restricting air.

 

[rlitman]

Lots of great feedback from members so far.

As promised earlier I tried to shoot a video demo but I had to abort due to poor lighting conditions. I will try again later.
I disassembled both a flexilla whip hose with ball joint and a typical simple 1/4 industrial ball swivel like everybody and his brother has.

I was not particularly surprised by what I found. The standard industrial swivel uses a soft o-ring for both sealing and as the joint which of course seriously over stresses the o-ring. The rubber o-ring will rapidly abrade when used in this manner.

I would never think of designing something like this.


I was equally unimpressed by the Flexilla. It has a different problem and a serious design flaw. Instead of over-stressing the o-ring, they decided to let the steel ball load against black anodized aluminum. Totally unacceptable to me.

Here's a picture showing how the black anodizing is rubbed off by the ball.

Yes, the standard industrial swivels use an o-ring, much like the swivel at the center of an air hose reel. The difference, is that the good reels have a longer shaft with a bushing, that keeps the swivel from pinching the o-ring.

What I've found, is that when I replace the o-ring with a cheap ring from a kit, and use a LITTLE amount of Krytox grease on it, I never have to replace it again. A penny's worth of lube can make all the difference.

I can't say that I own any of the anodized aluminum ball swivels, but I agree that that metal on metal design clearly *****. I mostly use the Husky chromed brass male QD ball swivels. They have a plastic seat that looks just like the inside of a ball valve.