Easy to insert air couplers?

[pitttrack]

Recently I got a case of the ol tennis elbow and got a taste of what my future holds in terms of the loss of strength. Anyway I noticed that inserting air fittings is now more difficult. Aside from removing all the pressure from the line and then cranking the regulator back up once everything is attached I figure the only option is to look for some new couplers.

A while back I've seen the Stedlin posts on here and thought that I would go that way but when I went to order a few I saw their website down. There's another post on here about whether they are in business or not, I called that number but couldn't hear whomever was on the other end due to the amount of background noise. Thinking that perhaps they were on the production floor I called it again later to not get an answer. Based on that I'm thinking it's a no go.

Prevost seems to be another brand mentioned quite often but unless I am wrong it's only really designed to make the decoupling process go easier. I've had good success with traditional Milton fittings in the past but again inserting the item into a coupler was a bear. As I'm looking for something that will make the coupling easier (and hopefully decoupling also) I thought I'd post and see if there is anything out there that I may be missing. As background I only am looking for something for personal use, this isn't something for my profession or a production shop.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I've been using Prevost for years so can't compare on the regulars ones where you need to pull back the collar...
With that said, it's an ease inserting into the Prevost with none of the -tight retainer-ball- you may get with the collar type

 

[ItsNemo]

Don't bother with the regulator to do it, a couple ball valves on the lines to open/close the tank and dump the line will solve the depressurizing situation.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I have a pushy-button Milton coupler. It's nice. Easier and quicker than the collar ones. Only caveat is that when it gets real cold, it does get a little finicky.

-Ryan

 

[GeoBruin]

You can buy Stedlin stuff right on Amazon. I've done just that for many of my Stedlin couplers, plugs, swivels, etc.

If easy insertion is your goal, Stedlin is the way to go and nothing else comes close. I've done a lot of testing (and posted many videos here) mostly related to flow, but every time I'm connecting and disconnecting plugs during testing, I'm reminded just how much more pleasant it is to use the Stedlin fittings.

STEDLIN MFG., INC. - OUR PATENTED AND INNOVATION PRODUCTS SET NEW STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS IN PNEUMATIC FITTINGS

Products

www.amazon.com

 

[RTM]

Don't bother with the regulator to do it, a couple ball valves on the lines to open/close the tank and dump the line will solve the depressurizing situation.

A three-way ball valve with a dump to atmosphere on the line side is the easiest way to do this.

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm in the Prevost camp. These are the best air couplers I've ever used. Insertion is good but not great. Removal is where GREAT comes into play. Push the button and you're done. Pulling back a collar ***** big time once you use the Prevost. Most car painters use Prevost. We change guns constantly and normally they are full of paint. ******* with a coupler collar can get real messy real fast. Pushing a button is zero problems.

 

[jobo1004]

Try one of these. You've got an extra step of having to slide a sleeve, but I bought one a few months back and I've been quite pleased with it. https://www.harborfreight.com/5-in-1-safety-coupler-57571.html

 

[whateg01]

I think the biggest reason that many couplers seem hard to insert is that you also have to pull the sleeve back. I'm not sure if it's actually easier but they Milton safety coupler feels easier to insert. I wonder if it isn't just because all you have to do is push instead of simultaneously pulling on the sleeve while pushing on the coupler and the tool.

 

[kbeefy]

I'm a fan of the Stedlins. My second choice would be the push button Miltons.

 

[whateg01]

Doesn't look like stedlin has a safety coupler. I do like that especially since I often have an extra 50 feet off hose connected

 

[bigfunwmu]

Oetiker swing couplings.

Super easy, one finger and thumb pull back the locking collar, then the head swings and safely releases the air from the downstream end, and the ****** pulls out.

The o-ring that seals the sleeve to the ****** is an 011, so they are easy to reseal when the seal wears out and they leak.

They're expensive though

 

[ItsNemo]

A three-way ball valve with a dump to atmosphere on the line side is the easiest way to do this.

Dude, I had no idea they made those, that's awesome!

 

[Sumboodie]

Safety coupler. Been around forever and they're cheap.

 

[johnre]

Before you change any couplers, try a little plumber's grease on the plug side just to see if that can loosen things up a bit. Mine have tended to get sticky with age, especially when it's a steel-to-steel connection. Brass-to-steel connections are not as problematic.

 

[Rockable]

I use the Parker EZ Mate couplers in my shop for 2 reasons. They are easy to connect and they provide a way to shut off air flow at the tool for an extra measure of safety. For example, if you pull the valve sleeve back when you lay you die grinder down, you can't inadvertently start it up. They aren't cheap but they are good.

https://www.mrostop.com/ez-251-4fp-parker-quick-coupler

 

[johninct]

Don't use a regulator and buy only Hi-Flow couplers. It will really awaken your air tools.

 

[pitttrack]

First off, wow! Thank you for all of the responses. I glanced at the Parker Ez-251-4Fp and a couple Milton ones. I think that I'm going to take some time next week and really look at some of the others and then make the plunge. Again, thank you for all of the feedback, greatly appreciate it.

 

[egdede]

Stedlin for the win! I was worried that their aluminum construction wouldn't hold up, that they'd get crushed. I babied them at first. Now, I'm back to bull-whipping with my air lines, and I never have a problem. OK, the anodizing fades over the years, and my new fittings stand out from the old. I just ordered fitting from amazon last month and they showed up. Not sure what is going on at Sterling, I used to call and chat with the founder's wife (who seemed to run the paperwork side ion the business). Support Sterling.

 

[whateg01]

Don't use a regulator and buy only Hi-Flow couplers. It will really awaken your air tools.

I bet 175 psig would indeed wake some things up!

 

[scooby074]

Another vote for the Oeteker Swing Couplers. They went on a safety kick at work and bought a bunch of them, I really like them . Very easy to install if thats your main criteria. Only problem is cost. They are a premium product.

 

[Beemer]

Prevost couplers solved my "hard to insert and remove" issues.
That push button release is so nice.
I love them!

 

[cvairwerks]

I've been converting to the Milton 5 in 1's, as they are high flow and will accept most of the male fittings I've got around. Available from other places than Milton for less $.

5 In ONE® Universal Safety Exhaust Quick-Connect Industrial Coupler, 1/4" Female NPT-Single

5 In One® Universal Safety Exhaust Coupler – 1/4" NPT Milton®’s 5 In One® Universal Industrial Safety Exhaust couplers are designed to safely bleed off air pressure before releasing the connector. The safety exhaust feature allows for safe disconnection, eliminating potentially dangerous hose...

miltonindustries.com

 

[yb7tt3wm]

Anybody know how the Parker E-Z-Mate Exhaust couplers differ from the Parker Tool-Mate Exhaust couplers? Obviously they look different. I assume you have to do different things to make them connect/disconnect, right? Is that it? Is one better than the other? Why? Thanks!

 

[jrhaas60]

This would be a great topic for a Consumer Reports type comparison. So many comments with people loving their couplers but I’m not seeing any direct comparisons. I’m due for an upgrade.

 

[Beemer]

This would be a great topic for a Consumer Reports type comparison. So many comments with people loving their couplers but I’m not seeing any direct comparisons. I’m due for an upgrade.

Uh, no. CR has often missed the mark in my experiences, especially how they rated vehicles I've owned.

I have intentionally left their top pick lawn mower, that I was fooled into buying, out in the yard hoping it would disappear.
Every time I use it wrenches and new parts are required.
So sorry I sold my Lawn Boy and John Deere mowers.

 

[mikedodge]

I think the biggest reason that many couplers seem hard to insert is that you also have to pull the sleeve back. I'm not sure if it's actually easier but they Milton safety coupler feels easier to insert. I wonder if it isn't just because all you have to do is push instead of simultaneously pulling on the sleeve while pushing on the coupler and the tool.

L style couplers are the standard style that you don't have to pull the sleeve back to insert it. That's the type most shops use.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I switched over to Prevost and have been pretty happy with them. I put one outside for my exterior hose reel, and it survived blowing off the plow truck all last Winter and this year so far....lows done to negative teens and they did not fail.

 

[GeoBruin]

I just posted a quick video testing the insertion force of a few couplers discussed in this thread so far including the Stedlin and the Prevost.

Here's the link.

 

[txvwnut]

I went down the Prevost road and one of them started leaking in less than a year. Switched to Stedlin and couldn’t be happier, even put them on the airlines at the day job and they are living up to the abuse that the shop monkeys are giving them.

 

[JSutter]

Husky HDA22800 or HDA22900 are easy to connect. They have a push button release.

 

[Rockable]

Anybody know how the Parker E-Z-Mate Exhaust couplers differ from the Parker Tool-Mate Exhaust couplers? Obviously they look different. I assume you have to do different things to make them connect/disconnect, right? Is that it? Is one better than the other? Why? Thanks!

On a push to connect coupler, you do not have to pull the sleeve back to connect. You simply shove the ****** into the coupler to connect. Parker's 30 series does this, as well. I believe you are still fighting pressure when you do this but am not totally sure since I have not used this coupler. The EZ Mate requires you to pull back the sleeve but you connect under zero pressure. Hope that helps.

 

[jrhaas60]

I just installed a new Stedlin. I like it.

 

[danielbuck]

if you have a connector style that doesn't have a push button style coupler available (like Milton-V), I would probably just add a quick turn valve somewhere inline near the end of the line, instead of walking all the way back to the regulator or the tank. a small inline valve would work fine, somewhere near the tool end of the line.

Shut the valve, bleed off the air (by triggering whatever tool you have connected) then disconnect, connect the next tool and open the valve again. It would be a little bit slower, but it would be effortless to connect and disconnect. And you wouldn't need to change fitting types.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would probably just add a quick turn valve

that may be cumbersome in some situations, but other wise a good idea

 

[jrhaas60]

It’s an easier decision to put one of these in when you have one hose reel that you use 90% of the time. The coupling I took off was rough.

 

[dnschmidt]

if you have a connector style that doesn't have a push button style coupler available (like Milton-V), I would probably just add a quick turn valve somewhere inline near the end of the line, instead of walking all the way back to the regulator or the tank. a small inline valve would work fine, somewhere near the tool end of the line.

Shut the valve, bleed off the air (by triggering whatever tool you have connected) then disconnect, connect the next tool and open the valve again. It would be a little bit slower, but it would be effortless to connect and disconnect. And you wouldn't need to change fitting types.

Prevost invented the High Flow coupler twenty years before Milton ever thought to copy it with the Milton V. Prevost makes couplers (green button) that work fine with Milton V or any other brand of High Flow (European standard) ******* including their own of course.

 

[Qualitytools]

I have the Prevost Green button couplers and I have been very happy with their performance.

 

[tak1313]

Prevost invented the High Flow coupler twenty years before Milton ever thought to copy it with the Milton V. Prevost makes couplers (green button) that work fine with Milton V or any other brand of High Flow (European standard) ******* including their own of course.

I've been looking at the Prevost Green couplers for awhile now, but one thing I haven't been able to determine (though it's not like I've taken a deep dive) is if they can take high flow males AND the normal 1/4" industrial.

I currently have Milton couplers (the "older/regular" release type), and they accept both types with no problems. The Prevost is cheaper, but the new 5in1 can do all sorts of connectors (I only have a mix of regular and high flow industrial - no tru-flates, etc.).

 

[GeoBruin]

I've been looking at the Prevost Green couplers for awhile now, but one thing I haven't been able to determine (though it's not like I've taken a deep dive) is if they can take high flow males AND the normal 1/4" industrial.

I currently have Milton couplers (the "older/regular" release type), and they accept both types with no problems. The Prevost is cheaper, but the new 5in1 can do all sorts of connectors (I only have a mix of regular and high flow industrial - no tru-flates, etc.).

Green dot = high flow (v style plugs). Blue dot = industrial plugs. No mixing and matching.