Better hose clamps?

[Jason280]

I'm finishing up the air lines for my 80gal compressor, but have run into a slight issue. I'm using 1/2" ID air line (roughly 13/16" OD) to connect from my tank to the main line, and also to my two hose reels. I'm having to make my own air lines for these connections, and cannot find a hose clamp that seems to to tighten enough to ensure that the lines will remain leak free. Short of buying an air line crimping tool, what are my options for a better hose clamp?

 

[Jason280]

Actually, would these work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CLAMPS-Oeti...357?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3438c97d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oetiker-Cla...627?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d3354bfa3

 

[metaleltr]

maybe or get jubilee clamps, which is the company that originally made hose clamps. http://www.jubileeclips.co.uk/

 

[jimindm]

I do not know if they make one to fit half inch line, but I have been using the pex water line crimp rings on my 3/8. I have used new barbed fittings when repairing, but have yet to have one blow apart.

Gates had a hose clamp that you slid on and heated up. It was kind of like heatshrink tubing. I did use them on my air hoses but, they would blow apart once in a while. In the automotive application the cooling system heat would just keep heating them up untill they were shrunk tight. Always wondered if I got them shrunk enough because I was worried about burning the air hose.

 

[jhelrey]

I wonder if you couldn't use Pex fittings

 

[metaleltr]

Well the oitiker style is actually available for use in PEX applications.

 

[Jason280]

Pex won't work, as the 1/2" rings are too small (and 3/4" is too big).

 

[lrhredjb]

Try putting on two clamps for extra sealing.

 

[fomocoforrester]

Try putting on two clamps for extra sealing.

....and make sure that the worms are positioned opposite each other - also get the type that use a 7 or 8 mm drive socket and the edges of the band are slightly rolled to avoid cutting into the hose with the extra clamping force you can generate.

 

[rlitman]

....and make sure that the worms are positioned opposite each other - also get the type that use a 7 or 8 mm drive socket and the edges of the band are slightly rolled to avoid cutting into the hose with the extra clamping force you can generate.

If you must have worm gear clamps, look at the "Breeze Constant Torque" clamps.
They have a stainless strip on the inside, that guarantees 360 degree clamping (otherwise, regular worm clamps don't bend right under the gear), and are spring loaded to compensate for temperature changes.

But for air lines, I've had good luck using two regular worm clamps, oriented opposite each other.

 

[ewe0006]

I like the reusable stem & ferrule fittings, like these: http://www.dultmeier.com/products/0.691.692/498. You can get them from MSC or McMaster-Carr. Solid connection, never had a single issue after using thousands of them.

Not that this really addresses OP's question, but they make sizes that should work for the air hose dimensions specified.

 

[Alchymist]

Put a little gasket cement on the fitting......

 

[Jason280]

I was able to solve my issue using PEX cinch clamps and a ratcheting cinch clamp tool. You can buy the tool from Lowe's for around $100, but the better bet is to order the Apollo branded tool off eBay for $49.95 shipped. Both tools look identical, and I believe they are simply rebadged from the same manufacturer. I used the 3/4" rings for the 1/2" ID hose, and 1/2" rings for 3/8" hose. I've pumped the system up to around 145 PSI, and no obvious leaks.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Some of you are doing it the hard way. Use Fuel Injection Hose clamps. They tighten all the way around, and are good for very high pressure.

Jim

 

[ZRX61]

We use Breeze, Tilden or Norton on aircraft

 

[alan camby]

I, and the factory I worked for, gave up on hose clamps on air lines years ago. I think the only way to go is push on hose that does not require a clamp. You just push the hose on, after you lube the hose and fitting, and it never leaks. I have never seen a leak or had this setup fail. Go to Mcmaster-Carr and search " Push on hose fittings" and "hose for push on fittings".

The hose clamp hose was leaking all over the factory floor. The techs and i would go around tightening up the clamps just to slow down the leaks. We slowly converted the entire place over to push on hose and never had another problem, and I am talking about over 500 air drops.

 

[browntown]

I like the oetiker clamps. BMW uses them on their high pressure fuel lines, and I've grown to appreciate them. They are for things that you don't plan on unhooking later though.

 

[Garage5.9]

 

[srmofo]

I would have just taken them to them to the local hose shop (parker) and had them made and or crimped.

Glad to hear you got it worked out

 

[NUTTSGT]

Looks like that will work but might be a pain to get back apart if the need arises.

Some of you are doing it the hard way. Use Fuel Injection Hose clamps. They tighten all the way around, and are good for very high pressure.

Jim

Interesting, never seen those before.

I would have just taken them to them to the local hose shop (parker) and had them made and or crimped.

Glad to hear you got it worked out

I'm doing this when I replumb my system, I believe you'd need to use a swivel fitting on one side.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I bought this hose crimper off eBay a long time ago, best investment I ever made. Brass ferruels are cheap too...

Unfortunately it will only do up to 3/8" air line.

Alternatively you could get a shop with a crimper for hydraulic lines to do it.