Good air tool swivel that doesn't leak?

[bwringer]

I got an Astro 1822 nano impact for Xmas, and I absolutely love the lil' booger.

Since this ends up getting contorted into odd spaces, I've noticed a standard fitting adds several inches to the end. I'd like to add a swivel to increase flexibility of positioning.

There seem to be two main styles of swivels; one that's sort of a ball and socket that gives maybe 30 degrees of flexibility, and one that's in two squarish parts that can swivel in a circle.

Which is better, and what brands are high quality and don't leak? I use Milton fittings everywhere else, and they offer both styles.

 

[rlitman]

The ball/socket swivel doesn't restrict airflow significantly, so I prefer these for most things, and I really don't use straight QD connectors for anything any more.

But on my short impact I use the double pivot swivel. Yes, it reduces the tool's power, but it has come in handy in tighter spaces.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I tried stedlin, both with integrated coupler and screw in fittings. They get play in the ball socket area and lose their awesomeness. The cheap "dual rectangle" ones last 2ish years for me or regular use. You can sometimes replace the seals with ones from an AC o-ring assortment. The ball and socket are much better lasting, as you said though only 30 degrees or so.

I purchased a dual-rectangle style via SPair on amazon. SP air has made me a lot of money and I trust their stuff. It's worked well for 3 months now. I have moved my air hammers to whip hoses, cheap to make and install. You'd be surprised how much even a flex coupler adds to the base of a tool, compared to a hose that can curve right out of the base. I've been very happy with the whip hose concept, although it took a while to get used to.

 

[Wrench97]

For the "dual rectangle" I use Blue Point not the cheapest but have a life time warranty, best part is mine are 2-3 years old and I have not needed to use the warranty.

Whip hoses on impact guns and air hammers also work well for me.

 

[cashishift]

Prevost?

 

[MattT]

I run the aluminum dynaswivels. Not cheap but they hold up well. Though any swivel is gonna wear and start leaking at some point, especially on impacts or hammers. And the plastic ones will sometimes split which is why I now buy the more expensive metal ones.

https://www17.dynabrade.com/view-product.php?mn=95460

The balljoint ones don't have enough movement to be worth bothering with IMO. And whips are generally OK for something like a hammer but I wouldn't run one on anything you're likely to use under the hood. A swivel is better for snaking into tight spots and you don't have to worry about the remote QC getting hung up or damaging paint.

 

[wafrederick]

I have used the air tool swivels from Harbor Freight,no leaks yet.I tried the Milton air tool swivels,leaked and never held up

 

[bwringer]

Some good leads... many thanks!

And yeah, Milton stuff has always been great for me in general, but their swivel has pretty bad reviews.

 

[1foxracing]

Astro also makes 360 swivels, I bought 7 of them this past summer and so far no leaks. I got them from JB Tool.
https://www.jbtools.com/astro-pneum...W2BuJ145PuVxAUbyWcOKs4H-SyCbth_saAjbkEALw_wcB

 

[Professional Tool User]

For the "dual rectangle" I use Blue Point not the cheapest but have a life time warranty, best part is mine are 2-3 years old and I have not needed to use the warranty.

Whip hoses on impact guns and air hammers also work well for me.

+1 The made in Taiwan Blue point ones will leak a bit, but will definitely not fall apart on you. It's the only one I have tried where you can get away with not using a whip hose.

 

[wafrederick]

This is the swivel fitting from Harbor Freight,good reviews on them, https://www.harborfreight.com/air-t...es/14-in-air-hose-swivel-connector-63575.html

 

[lis2323]

Ideally I’d have a swivel AND whip hose on each tool. I don’t have to worry about damage from a dragging coupler as I don’t do any under the hood work.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I think I have the HF one on mine and have no complaints. I’m only a hobbyist but love my little ratchet with the swivel on it. Here is a video link so you can see what I have on mine.

Your ratchet was originally sold as an air pro like the one I have.

 

[vanapplebomb]

I have a bunch of the harbor freight 360deg ones, and they work well. My one issue I have with them is how restrictive they are, and this is true even of the other brands. I can tell they put a damper on my 1/2” impacts and die grinders. I tried modifying them by enlarging the two existing holes and drilling two additional holes in the barres. It helped a bit, but unfortunately the bottle neck becomes the small ID of the threaded barrel that connects the two pieces, and there is nothing that can really be done about that.

I wish whip hoses with the ball and socket pivot had better flow as well. They flow more than the 360deg swivels, but really are no better than a 1/4 industrial plug. It necks down quite a bit in the ball. Makes high flow 3/8 or high flow couplers kind of pointless.

 

[rcjoy]

The plastic Dynabrade swivel model 94300 works for me. They have a small leak when you first apply air pressure, but they seal up once you move them around.

 

[bwringer]

Grabbed a couple of the Merlin swivels from HF yesterday (hey, I was there), and I gotta say I'm impressed. No leaks and they move easily. $5. I didn't notice that it restricted things at all on my Nano impact; it sounds the same and works the same.

So far I've found that HF's "Merlin" brand stuff is really quite good, a distinct step up from their base generic stuff.

I also really like the swivel + whip idea above. Might try that, too.

 

[vanapplebomb]

I have had mine for a year, and no leaks so far, frequent use 5 days a week. Nice thing is that the 0rings are easy to replace if they do start leaking. Just make sure to use high strength thread locker when you rethread the barrel into the block. Best if you clean off the thread locker on there before you put fresh stuff on. Let it set for a day before you put pressure to it. The thread locker keeps the two parts from untwisting during use, and seals the threads at the same time. Dual purpose. Do not use Teflon tape or liquid pipe dope, because it will come apart...ask me how I know...

 

[aczr2k]

I tried stedlin, both with integrated coupler and screw in fittings. They get play in the ball socket area and lose their awesomeness. The cheap "dual rectangle" ones last 2ish years for me or regular use. You can sometimes replace the seals with ones from an AC o-ring assortment. The ball and socket are much better lasting, as you said though only 30 degrees or so.

I purchased a dual-rectangle style via SPair on amazon. SP air has made me a lot of money and I trust their stuff. It's worked well for 3 months now. I have moved my air hammers to whip hoses, cheap to make and install. You'd be surprised how much even a flex coupler adds to the base of a tool, compared to a hose that can curve right out of the base. I've been very happy with the whip hose concept, although it took a while to get used to.

Pretty sure the Stedlin's are lifetime warranty, I'd bet Frank would like to see them if they are wore out.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Pretty sure the Stedlin's are lifetime warranty, I'd bet Frank would like to see them if they are wore out.

Website says a year. I just threw them away; live, learn, sometimes get burned. I was very excited when I got them, but even on my air gauge the orbital is getting sloppy/loose. I know for a fact the ones I pitched didn't make it that long.

The couplers are nice on my hose whips, so that's a good thing.