HF almost killed me today

[Zeppe807]

Well maybe a little over dramatic.











I was using an air hose that I used some HF air fittings on, and heard an air leak. This hose gets used rarely and maybe a dozen times since I put the fitting on. The fitting is/was a 1/4" Male X Male Brass ****** to connect a quick disconnect fitting (Not HF). When I heard the air leak, I didn't know if it was coming from the quick disconnect, or from the threaded fitting, so I put it up to my ear to hear it, then checked the threaded fittings to make sure they were tight enough, and then checked it again by putting it to my ear, because I still did not know where it was coming from, but now it was worse. So I took the fittings apart and noticed the crack.

I realize that I did not almost die, but it would have hurt a lot

I didn't over tighten it, and I noticed the air leak while I was putting the hoses together, but did not hear it last night when I took them apart. I am not hard on my equipment, so I cannot figure any reason why the fitting would do that. I am glad that I did not try to tighten the piss out of it, and only snugged it up, since I had Teflon tape, and it shouldn't need to be tight.


Has anyone else had an issue with the HF fittings?


I think I am going to check everything else. I just recently, this past year, got a bunch of HF fittings because I was there, and they were cheap. I normally HATE HF, but I was there.




What says YOU?



Joe Zeppe

 

[c39er]

Looks to be Chinese and is, cannot expect much more!

 

[Skyline]

I'd stick with Milton air fittings, couplers, ******* and quick disconnects. I don't think you will see quality problems with them.

 

[Matt M PA]

I bought one of the quick connects while at HF awhile ago. (the brass end for the hose, not a ****** or tool end.) I figured...I'm here already....how bad could it be?

It has leaked while connected since new, but if I rotated the tool, it usually got better. Over this past weekend, it stuck open when disconnected. Since the pressure was still there, it about shot my air chuck. I held my grip and had no issue...but the damned thing got tossed and replaced.

 

[allinon72]

I think I remember a thread a while back about the same problem.

 

[Bull]

I'd stick with Milton air fittings, couplers, ******* and quick disconnects. I don't think you will see quality problems with them.

My local auto parts store carries Milton. Is their stuff USA made, or offshore but still decent?

I think I remember a thread a while back about the same problem.

I do, too.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Bull, I ordered a Milton High Pressure Regulator, Gauge, and Filter bowl a few weeks ago and it was all labeled USA. The only thing that isnt labeled at all is the pressure gauge. My Oreilly auto parts carries Milton stuff but have yet to make the Hi Flow V conversion.

 

[larry_g]

.............but I was there.




What says YOU?



Joe Zeppe

You have stated to root of your problem.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Zrexxer]

Some of the Milton V-type high flow fittings I bought recently were made overseas.

 

[bazzateer]

What says YOU?

Err............ if not water comes out of your hose, don't look down the hose.
If no bullets come out of your gun, don't look down the barrel while pulling on the trigger.....................

 

[Jagmandave]

I've had my HF fittings on my air hoses for well over 20 years and they're still fine.....I bought steel rather than brass tho.

Do you suppose it's just that they've been buying from cheaper suppliers? A lot of the stuff I've bought from them is still serving me well after a whole lot of years and a lot of use.

I think condemming everything they sell as "Chinese ****" is unfair and unecessary. Most of us have bought from them and some of us are completely satisfied with what we've gotten....

I also don't think it's reasonable to assume everything ever made in the US is better, I've seen some US made junk over the years too - and driven some of it as well. Over they years I've also had cracked fittings I bought from the local hydraulic and plumbing stores, and all their stuff is US made.

My point is maybe we could drop the name calling and act like adults?

 

[rsanter]

you are being a little over dramatic....
it was not HF that tried to kill you....it was the chineeseee

I just wonder how they got that one fitting routed throught their entire system and right to your house???

bob

 

[gsport]

I've never had a problem with any of my HF fittings.
Good thing you weren't using PVC...

 

[some zilch]

you hear an air leak, so you put it up to your ear/face/head....??

sounds like stupidity almost killed you

 

[kartracer55]

People on here have complained about them breaking in the past. I buy the individual brass ones at home drpot and have had good experiences.

 

[betcd]

I have ones leak from home depot and lowes too it's just how they are made and where they are from
.

 

[Big-Foot]

I've had a couple of fittings from HF that were machined wrong and therefore did not seal.. Steel fittings are better / stronger, but should not be used where sparks could be an ignition source problem.. Still - you get what you pay for typically.. I spend a LOT of my time seeking out USA or Canadian made tools / supplies..

Almost killed you? LOL not hardly...

 

[waggie]

I'd stick with Milton air fittings, couplers, ******* and quick disconnects. I don't think you will see quality problems with them.

had one Milton T-type quick disconnect fail on me. Made in USA. I only use milton t-type stuff in my garage. there are several other quick disconnects that are perfectly fine, however.

but then again, air compressor related tools have been after me since i was a toddler. (i'm deathly afraid of air compressors)

 

[Bobf]

I checked the brass connectors/******* at our local Home Depot in the bins and they're all overseas mfg'd. I didn't look at the packaged sets in blister packs to check mfg origin. Didn't buy any.

 

[graffix000]

Milton only here in my garage with good success.

 

[dirttracker18]

I have never had good lcuk with HF'esk type connectors (Tool Town for our Canadian borthers).

However if you want near death type experiences try using the HF'esk or cheap grinder wheels. My dad and I have both been hit by them breaking apart. Luckily we both had Carhartts on. Dad had a injury and I had a huge bruise on my stomach. Hurt like a *******.

I never use cheap wheels anymore.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I checked the brass connectors/******* at our local Home Depot in the bins and they're all overseas mfg'd. I didn't look at the packaged sets in blister packs to check mfg origin. Didn't buy any.

The Cambell Hausfield fitting appear to be all made in china.

 

[CaliNapco]

I've had good luck for a long long time with the HF stuff.. but in the past year I've broken two.. think from the drop after disconnecting air tool or filling tires ...

 

[472scout]

I don't get these posts stating that they've bought HF, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc and never had a problem as if the quality never changes. Cheap no-name fittings are hit and miss regardless of who you buy it from. One lot can be fine and the next lot total junk. The big box stores change suppliers like the wind. It's all about who has the lowest bid that particular day.

 

[ZRX61]

I'd stick with Milton air fittings, couplers, ******* and quick disconnects. I don't think you will see quality problems with them.

That.

The HF ones are among their worse junk...

 

[MrMark]

The Milton are all China made too. I've purchased some V fittings and they have no COO on the package as I recall. That means China. I am not even aware of where you can buy decent fittings other than the Euro ones from a paint store.

 

[MrMark]

I don't get these posts stating that they've bought HF, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, etc and never had a problem as if the quality never changes. Cheap no-name fittings are hit and miss regardless of who you buy it from. One lot can be fine and the next lot total junk. The big box stores change suppliers like the wind. It's all about who has the lowest bid that particular day.

Exactly. The stuff changes all the time. Some could be good some bad. I just don't buy it to begin with if at all avoidable.

 

[quika]

Nobody held a Hf fitting to your head and made you buy it. Ok that was my attempt at humor. I've made purchases because of convenience no biggie lesson learned

 

[Jonboy1974]

Milton FTW. Had HF's fail too many time from heavy use.

 

[Zeppe807]

I guess I sure stirred the pot today.

No, I was not forces to buy.

Yes, quality changes constantly. Thats why companies have QC managers.

Yes, I knew they were cheap when I bought them.

Yes, I replaced them with CH chinese made fittings that seem to be about the same but chromed. That is all I had on hand.

No, I didn't look down the barrel, but I was close enough if it went loose I would have gotten hurt. My instinct told me it was not right and to stop and to take it appart. I am glad I did.

Did I miss anything?

Oh, yes I will be looking at replacing the fittings with a better quality brand, whether or not they are made in the US or not, but preferrably USA.


There does seem there are some highly promoted brands so far on here, so I will be checking those first.

Joe Zeppe <- not dead from HF fittings (YET)

 

[Torque1st]

Any fitting may crack like the picture shows when overtightened. I have seen that type of failure many times. Brass fittings are especially susceptible to over-tightening ESPECIALLY when Teflon tape is used. I have been guilty of doing that myself.

 

[Jawn]

The Milton are all China made too. I've purchased some V fittings and they have no COO on the package as I recall. That means China. I am not even aware of where you can buy decent fittings other than the Euro ones from a paint store.

You sure about that? I thought if it wasn't marked with a country of origin, it was US made.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...origin-marking-on-goods-imported-into-the-u.s.

 

[Torque1st]

You sure about that? I thought if it wasn't marked with a country of origin, it was US made.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...origin-marking-on-goods-imported-into-the-u.s.

The government does not even try to enforce any regulations unless it is about 'illegal' drugs so the police can make money and headlines...

 

[Martha39]

I think I am going to check everything else. I just recently, this past year, got a bunch of HF fittings because I was there, and they were cheap. I normally HATE HF, but I was there.

 

[6-Speed]

Anyone have any experience with the Legacy ColorConnex plugs and couplers? Couplers are made of steel with an Aluminum sleeve and the plugs are hard-anodized Aluminum. They are made in Taiwan and appear to be good quality. I use them on my Compressor and my air tools.

http://www.legacymfg.com/Selection_Guide_to_Couplers_Plugs.pdf

 

[Zeppe807]

I think I am going to check everything else. I just recently, this past year, got a bunch of HF fittings because I was there, and they were cheap. I normally HATE HF, but I was there.

I know...

still hate it though, GJ is the worst influence. I was there looking at the tool box... And no I didn't get it. (It does look nice though).

 

[John in OH]

I guess that any given pressure component from any given manufacture can fail, but most US made name-brand components are usually (not always, but usually) made to some recognized industry standard. But these no-name components that come from China, India or other off-shore sources can be made from any grade material to any standard ... or more likely no standard, at all. They grab some cheap, low grade, semi-pot metal brass, machine it to US pipe thread standard and sell it as a pressure component ..... scary!

Now, about those air tanks .....

 

[NHBandit]

I wonder if wealthy Chinese car guys import Snap On tools from the US... Or is finding a wealthy Chinese car guy about the same as trying to find Bigfoot ? Here's a thought. If we ALL stopped buying imported junk just to save a buck maybe they would either improve the quality or more US companies would avoid bankruptcy. WE are the problem ya know. Just a wild idea...

 

[Cogito Ergo Zoom]

Any fitting may crack like the picture shows when overtightened. I have seen that type of failure many times. Brass fittings are especially susceptible to over-tightening ESPECIALLY when Teflon tape is used. I have been guilty of doing that myself.

*looks at posters' username*

 

[rmckee]

My rule with Harbor Freight: Do not buy from them anything that your life or your income depend on.

That being said, glad you found it before things got worse