Help with fittings for new compressor

[flyguy79]

Hi guys! I'm looking for some advice on which fittings to use for my new air compressor. I have a home shop that I use to restore cars in my spare time, and I've been slowly equipping it with better equipment as I'm able to find deals on Facebook Marketplace, etc. I recently picked up this compressor, which is an enormous upgrade from my little Craftsman Professional, and am looking for some suggestions on which size and style air fittings to use. This thing is a beast, and was pulled out of a car dealership when it closed by the compressor dealer. Way more than I need, but I got a smoking deal on it, so it was cheaper than the 80-gallon Ingersoll Rand I was looking for. It's only about a year old. I have a 3/4" Rapid Air kit that I plan to use to distribute air. It has 3/4 outlets on the blocks for couplers, and this is where I get confused. There are several different styles in 1/4, 3/8 and even 1/2". Everything in my shop has 1/4 Industrial-type (M) fittings now. Should I reduce with a bushing and stay with 1/4? Upgrade them to 3/8? I don't mind the cost to change everything if there is a real advantage. I mostly run air tools and a sandblaster. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[TurnipTruck]

In my non-professional experience, 3/8” quick-connects are a pain in the *** to couple and uncouple under pressure, but I do have a dedicated 1/2” hose with 3/8” couplers just for my 1” air impact. Everything else in my shop is 1/4” fittings and 3/8” hoses.
My air header is 1” galvanized, tho

 

[The Cobbler]

I don't think you gain anything with 3/8" pipe over 1/4" pipe with M type couplers. the restriction is inside the coupler & the center hole in the plug.
for most things, M couplers are just fine .

 

[The Cobbler]

by the way, that looks like an awesome compressor

 

[Snapped-off]

You can get type M in 3/8npt so you don't need a bushing.

Or upgrade to type V. Available in both 1/4npt and 3/8npt.

 

[southalabama]

I’m partial to the Milton V connectors.

 

[LopezBart]

Air compressor - any reason to not use 3/8" fittings?

On a 3/8" air hose, is there any reason not to use 3/8" couplers and plugs? Seems like you get more flow with 3/8" fittings, which is great for tools and uses that benefit from high flow. So why are 1/4" fittings so popular?

www.garagejournal.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I personally wouldn't go with 3/8 fittings. High flow 1/4" fittings are capable of almost anything you can reasonably throw at them, and they retain the size and weight advantage, ease of compatibility with most tools, and cost advantages of 1/4" fittings. For things like blast cabinets, you shouldn't need a quick connect at all.

If you ever do need more air, you can crank the pressure up at the regulator and you won't see much pressure drop as a result of the fittings alone.

In response to another user's questions about the pressure drop impacts of conventional vs high flow 1/4" fittings, I made a series of videos on the topic, testing various fittings at different flow rates. The link to the post explaining those tests with the links to the videos is below.

Air coupler types

I'm setting up my new air system, and trying to figure out couplers. The Euro/Milton-V flows more air than the standard industrial/M-type that are easy to find everywhere in a variety of materials. I've read up on the Stedlin quick connect, and really like the idea and feedback/reputation of...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[flyguy79]

Air compressor - any reason to not use 3/8" fittings?

On a 3/8" air hose, is there any reason not to use 3/8" couplers and plugs? Seems like you get more flow with 3/8" fittings, which is great for tools and uses that benefit from high flow. So why are 1/4" fittings so popular?

www.garagejournal.com

Thank you kindly. This was super helpful.

Based on the comments here, it looks like I should either go Milton V or High flow M. You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the help.

 

[flyguy79]

Well....I did a little more reading, and now I think I want to go with the Prevost couplers. I am now thoroughly confused as to the color coding on those. Does anyone know if the Industrial (blue, I think?) style Prevost couplers are high flow, or are they normal flow? If they are high flow, that would be the ideal situation so I can use my existing male fittings where flow is of no concern.

 

[jdm5]

Late to the game but check out Stedlin - made in USA and I've been extremely happy with them. Easy to plug/unplug and quiet.

 

[InjectorService]

I used to use the V type Milton, but I found the female ends kept failing, and they weren't available locally.

Went to 3/8 fittings, and wouldn't go back. Plenty of air, and I've never found the fitting to be that bulky that it's caused issue.

Everything is tough, the couplers can be dropped, ran over, etc and they don't fail.

 

[flyguy79]

Late to the game but check out Stedlin - made in USA and I've been extremely happy with them. Easy to plug/unplug and quiet.

I did look at those, but I'm not crazy about being stuck in a proprietary system.

 

[jdm5]

Not really trying to push you to them, but "our couplers are compatible with all m-style, industrial plugs."

They are listed on Amazon, that was from their Q&A, but I would order direct. They are good people.

 

[The Cobbler]

I did look at those, but I'm not crazy about being stuck in a proprietary system.

they are not proprietary . they interchange with standard M type

 

[GeoBruin]

Note that Stedlin is no longer making his full flow plugs. Just the quiet plugs. They still flow more than a conventional industrial plug, but less than the full flow plugs or a v-type.

They are pretty freaking sweet, especially for things with resoirvoirs or whip hoses, but they are expensive if you plan to equip everything you have.

 

[flyguy79]

Thanks for the correction on Stedlin. I'll have another look. I did get the compressor set today. Still need to tidy things up and finalize the air lines, but it purrs like a kitten. This thing is a BEAST. Small upgrade from my old Craftsman...

 

[Jswain]

I'd still still with Milton v style 1/4" for basically everything, except for the sandblaster. Straight pipe the sandblaster with a full bore connector or swivel style npt connection in the 3/4 or 1/2 minimum.

If you have larger impact it may be nice to have a larger quick coupler too for occasional HD use ie: 1/2" quick coupler you can hook a 1/2" hose to for 3/4" impacts, if you don't then no worries on this one.

And x3 on the nice compressor!!

 

[no704]

Nice score. For normal hand tools 1/4 is plenty. Depends on use but might hard plumb the blast cabinet.

 

[flyguy79]

Hadn't even thought of hard plumbing the blast cabinet. That will happen for sure. The gun uses 3/8 line. Should I upgrade that to 1/2" or just reduce at the valve?

 

[shibertus]

Well....I did a little more reading, and now I think I want to go with the Prevost couplers. I am now thoroughly confused as to the color coding on those. Does anyone know if the Industrial (blue, I think?) style Prevost couplers are high flow, or are they normal flow? If they are high flow, that would be the ideal situation so I can use my existing male fittings where flow is of no concern.

This is the Prevost coupler for Milton V style high flow plugs. But, I don't believe it works on standard plugs.

 

[Jswain]

Hadn't even thought of hard plumbing the blast cabinet. That will happen for sure. The gun uses 3/8 line. Should I upgrade that to 1/2" or just reduce at the valve?

If it has much length at all 1/2" line will flow better.

 

[dnschmidt]

Milton V stubs and Prevost (preferred) or Dixon quick disconnects. The V stubs are way cheaper than any other brand and the Prevost and the Dixon are superior to the Milton V quick disconnects. 1/4" V will do everything you need.

 

[Dig Doug]

Compressor is Sweet ness!

I think you need to add a drain leg ….
I the on line Info says drains

 

[flyguy79]

Thanks for the catch, man. I think I'm okay as routed, as there is a drain on the filter/regulator and also on the block to the right where I'll put a coupler. There is also an auto drain for the tank that automatically blows water out every 45 minutes.

 

[Rinspeed]

I just happen to have a whole bag of fittings that were ordered incorrectly. If you want them I will give a good deal on them, just send me a PM and I can get you a picture.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

I am a really big fan of these Miltons with the safety disconnects. Not only do they make disconnecting under pressure way easier the two stage is nice. The ring closest to the hose opens or closes the air flow. You close it before you disconnect. The added benefit of this is you can just close it and leave the tool or air gun attached and it prevents any air bleed down or leak from the tool. Just changing to these has severely reduced the amount my compressor will kick on.

I’ve also found that it’s really hard to beat Milton. Every time I’ve tried some new high flow coupling system I find they eventually start leaking or they just don’t hold up so I go back to only using Milton couplings and fittings.

 

[rice rocket]

I have the Miltons w/ V-style, but was thinking of trying the Prevost high flow as long as they're compatible.

Do the Prevost allow you to cut off the air at the coupler for easier connecting? I've come to really like that on the Milton and I'm afraid I might miss that if I switch.