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Need help with 1/2" quick connect air line coupler

ngiovas

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May 30, 2016
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32
I recently replaced my air hose reel in my home garage with a new 1/2" hose reel. What I didn't think about is that the male fitting on the end of the new hose is 1/2" npt and will not work with my existing quick connect couplers on my tools. I ordered a female coupler that fits on the end of the hose, but the old male connectors won't work with it. Do they make a 1/2" male connector with only 3/8" male npt threads to fit on my tools? Any other suggestions on what I can do to put a coupler on the larger hose that will work with my existing tools?

As a side note, I was hoping to find a solution with a 1/2" connector so I can take advantage of the greater air flow for things like my blast cabinet.

thanks,

Nick
 
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Jswain

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Apr 26, 2013
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When you start pricing out decent 1/2" fittings depending on how many tools you have a seperate 3/8" reel with 1/4"(or whatever size you currently have) may be cheaper.

If you can return the 1/2" reel and get a 3/8" that would be better yet, then run a seperate 1/2" line to the blast cabinet.

If you're dead set on using 1/2" for everything then you will need to get some 1/2" - 1/4" bushings and a small pipe ****** to go into the tool. Or build some whip hoses
 

Lucid Moments

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Aug 9, 2015
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Gainesville, Ga
Pipe fittings

When you start pricing out decent 1/2" fittings depending on how many tools you have a seperate 3/8" reel with 1/4"(or whatever size you currently have) may be cheaper.

If you can return the 1/2" reel and get a 3/8" that would be better yet, then run a seperate 1/2" line to the blast cabinet.

If you're dead set on using 1/2" for everything then you will need to get some 1/2" - 1/4" bushings and a small pipe ****** to go into the tool. Or build some whip hoses
Either one of these ways are the only answers I found when I looked into doing something similar earlier this year. Ultimately just decided it wasn't worth the expense and hassle, but then I don't have a blasting cabinet.

Edit. Also look carefully into what fittings you have on your hose. My understanding is that most 1/2" hose has 3/8" npt fittings on the ends and most air tools (All of my air tools I know) are set up for 1/4" npt fittings.
 

Stedlin

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May 29, 2019
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Duluth, MN
I would just cut off the end of the hose and attach a fitting with a 1/4 NPT thread. Done it numerous times. Insignificant in terms of flow reduction.
 

Snapped-off

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Feb 22, 2012
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Just buy whatever style coupler you have now in 1/2" NPT. The thread sizes don't correlate to the coupler type. You can get type G in 1/4" NPT for example, although it's typically used with 1/2" NPT.
 

GeoBruin

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May 5, 2018
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Stedlin alluded to it above but you're not going to lose all the flow you gain with a 1/2" hose over a 3/8" hose just because you put a 1/4" fitting on the end. It really will be negligible, especially if you run high/full flow fittings. How you achieve that is up to you but cutting the hose and crimping on a new fitting is the most elegant way. Otherwise you just piece together the combination of adapters/bushings you need to fit your old quick disconnect coupler.
 
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ngiovas

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May 30, 2016
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Thanks for all of the feedback. Just to provide a little more background - I found a dual-arm reel with 100' of 1/2" rubber hose on clearance and it only cost me slightly more than a quality reel with a smaller diameter hose. While the adapters will add to the cost, I don't mind.

With that said, I was able to find a 5 pack of 1/2" G style male connectors for $18. I also found some brass 1/2" to 1/4" adapters. In the end, it will cost me around $7.50 per tool to adapt them, but I'm willing to do that.

I will likely make myself a short length of "adapter hose" just in case I ever need to hook up a tool with the smaller connector.
 
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Snapped-off

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Thanks for all of the feedback. Just to provide a little more background - I found a dual-arm reel with 100' of 1/2" rubber hose on clearance and it only cost me slightly more than a quality reel with a smaller diameter hose. While the adapters will add to the cost, I don't mind.

With that said, I was able to find a 5 pack of 1/2" G style male connectors for $18. I also found some brass 1/2" to 1/4" adapters. In the end, it will cost me around $7.50 per tool to adapt them, but I'm willing to do that.

I will likely make myself a short length of "adapter hose" just in case I ever need to hook up a tool with the smaller connector.
A 5 pack of Milton 1855's is $13 on Amazon. They're 1/4" MNPT type G fittings. No bushing needed to adapt.
 

Huffduf41

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Sep 2, 2013
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I just stepped on this same land mine. 75’ Reelcraft reel with 1/2”NPT end. Does anyone make a female 1/2”NPT to 1/4” quick coupler? No cares on cost. Thanks!
 

Huffduf41

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Sep 2, 2013
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Thanks guys, is it possible without the adaptor? I reached out to Milton Industries but have not heard back yet.
 
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