Identify pipe fitting

[swisscheese2]

Does anyone know what type of fitting this is on my California Air Tools compressor? I'm trying to setup an aftercooler to keep air dry for my CNC plasma cutter.

 

[speed bump]

Looks somewhat like a rotating NPT although they don't typically have a gasket in my experience. What does what it came off of look like?

 

[InjectorService]

Do you have a picture of the other end? Looks like a straight thread fitting with a gasket on the end.

 

[RoninB4]

Looks somewhat like a rotating NPT although they don't typically have a gasket in my experience. What does what it came off of look like?

-Offhand I wouldn't think an NPT thread would be used on a compression fitting as the tapered thread does the sealing. An NPS thread could as it's a constant major/minor diameter. Just guessing as I'm not familiar enough with the myriad of different pneumatic/hydraulic fittings to offer a solid answer. A thread pitch gauge and ID measuring should provide some info to be looked up.

 

[BarrelRoll]

A picture of what it threads to would be helpful. It's really hard to tell from that picture.

 

[swisscheese2]

 

[cmandp]

As others have mentioned it is probably straight thread not tapered. So you're best bet is going to be to measure the diameter and find either the threads per inch or pitch, depending on if it's inch or metric; It could be either. It is possible it could be British Standard Pipe too, but I doubt it.

You can compare your measurements to charts with standard straight thread dimensions.

Then you can order the correct adapters/fittings/hose to connect to what you need to.

 

[RoninB4]

+1 to the above post. My earlier post about measuring the ID of the fitting isn't needed, measuring the OD of the brass "T" would be far easier. Get the thread pitch along with the OD and check the charts available on-line.

 

[5ubtle]

Does anyone know what type of compression fitting this is ...

Why are you calling it a "compression fitting"? It looks like a "face seal fitting" or "flare fitting" to me.

 

[swisscheese2]

Why are you calling it a "compression fitting"? It looks like a "face seal fitting" or "flare fitting" to me.

You are probably right - I'm not fluent in all the types. I emailed the mfg - no reply so far. Male thread OD seems to be .639"

 

[Jim greengo]

1/2" ?

 

[Firebrick43]

This looks like sae 45 degree flare.

.639 of would match up with the 5/8 SAE size fitting. Very common size. Thread gauge would confirm if it was 18 Threads Per Inch.

While not super common it not unheard of in SAE and even NPT fitting to seal with an internal flare.

Many Polyethylene’s gas tubing risers have a NPSM fitting as do many hydraulic hoses. Many misidentify them and NPT fitting will normally fit and seal if doped/taped well enough.

 

[Kasal]

it looks like a plumbing hose, at least the ones used in Europe. the measurement is usually 1/2 or 3/8.

 

[joe_padavano]

I've seen a lot of gasketed fittings that use NPT. They are common on plumbing connections. The most common are the braided flex hoses sold for hot water heater connections and toilet/faucet connections. Yes, these mate with the NPT threads on the water heater.

 

[InjectorService]

I've seen a lot of gasketed fittings that use NPT. They are common on plumbing connections. The most common are the braided flex hoses sold for hot water heater connections and toilet/faucet connections. Yes, these mate with the NPT threads on the water heater.

That might thread onto NPT, but it's not. It's a straight cut thread designed to fit onto the straight thread that is on faucets.

 

[swisscheese2]

I emailed California Air Tools and they did not reply. I called and the guy was just making random guesses. Apparently they don't want people modifying their compressor.

 

[Rockable]

I sold Parker hose and fittings for 38 years but I have never seen this type of connection. What's weird is both ends appear to be male flare style connections. As others mentioned, it almost looks like a plumbing fitting. Sorry but I am no help.

 

[swisscheese2]

I have a thread gage but none of them seem to fit. Seems to be about 21 TPI with male thread .640" OD (not tapered) - has a ~45 deg bevel. Female ID .604" ID (~6 full threads and tightens in ~3.5 turns) - has a rubber or plastic insert seal.

 

[RTM]

Metric? It is built overseas. I noticed one of the plugs on mine had a US threaded plug with a metric Allen wrench required to drive it.

Your "about 21 tpi" corresponds to a 1.25 pitch in the metric world, per a table I saw.

Are you located somewhere where you can't take the hose to a hardware store and see what fits, and buy parts accordingly?

 

[swisscheese2]

Don't know if metric or not. 1.25 did not fit at all an the math for 21 TPI gives 1.209. Good idea taking hose to a store - might try that - why didn't I think of that!

 

[SteadyC]

It looks a lot like the supply hose on my water softener.

 

[RTM]

Don't know if metric or not. 1.25 did not fit at all an the math for 21 TPI gives 1.209. Good idea taking hose to a store - might try that - why didn't I think of that!

I was looking at this part of the table, and seeing what was "about 21 tpi"



From

Conversion TPI to Millimeters

Wandering the plumbing aisles at the local Ace is part of any project involving piping at my house, whether house, compressor, sprinklers, something always seems oddball. At least I don't have an air conditioner to worry about.

 

[Kirk]

Might be an inverted flare.

 

[Bornfree]

I just joined on purpose for this one thread. I've been looking for the same thing - confirmation of the California Air Tools exhaust hose fitting thread. They didn't return my email either.

I thought it could be either a 3/8 NPSM with 18 TPI or 3/8 BSPP (aka G3/8) with 19 TPI. These are both ball/cone seat swivel type connections. Typically the male end has a tapered/angled face, but on these compressors they just seems to end flat.

The connection at the tank on mine had a tiny bit of gasket (probably PTFE) but the compressor motor side had nothing, just metal to metal seal (which is what these things are designed for anyway).

Adapters and fittings are available on McMaster Carr (USA) and Green Line Hose (Canada), which is where I was planning to order from.

For reference my compressor model is 20020 - 20 gallon upright.

A photo I just took is below. I count 18 or 19 TPI with the photo. Unfortunately have no thread gauges and my vernier caliper has gone missing.

 

[alfadan]

It almost looks like a JIC fitting or AN. Who knows, could even be some british standard. Asians seem to like British fittings.
Need to compare your measurements (convert to metric might help) and look at charts.

 

[swisscheese2]

Thanks for the update. Please keep me informed if you find part numbers that actually work.

 

[Bornfree]

Unfortiunatly, it's impossible for it to be AN or JIC, as this configuration is the exact opposite of those fittings - AN and JIC both require a flare on the female side.

This fitting is without question NPSM or BSPP (and 3/8), that I'm 100% certain of. Both are common for air use and either could/would be specified for something made in the US or anywhere in Asia for export to the US.

3/8 NPT female threads onto it smoothly until you hit the taper (18 TPI).

 

[Bornfree]

Thanks for the update. Please keep me informed if you find part numbers that actually work.

I'll order both NPSM and BSPP parts and then check which fits best and update. The adapter I plan to put on the compressor fitting will go to 3/8 NPT to allow threading a coupler. And on the hose side, convert to the same thing to attach an M quick connect. The idea here is to be able to use an aftercooler (which is mounted in a fixed location) while still allowing a quick change back to "normal," if I need to move the compressor somewhere else temporarily.

 

[Bornfree]

OK, got some of the adapters in.

The hose ends are 100% 3/8 NPSM. Also called NPSM Swivel or NPS Swivel - female.

The fittings on the compressor motor and tank that connect to the braided hose are 3/8 NPS. AKA NPS Male or NPSM Male.

NPS = National Pipe Straight.

The order form on the Green Line site I mentioned wouldn't accept my postal code and they didn't reply to emails - there's a location somewhat local to me, but I decided instead to buy from somewhere else local in person.