What air couplers do you use?

[bb1970]

I'm so tired of using cheap Harbor Freight couplers. They are a ***** to connect and they leak. I found 14 Milton couplers at a local unclaimed freight store for $2 each. I bought them all. I'll be swapping all my fittings later tonght. Is Milton stuff still made in the U.S.? I doesn't state on the coupler or the package. ??

 

[joa65]

Milton has worked well for me.

 

[sberry]

I use big ones, type H but have some heavy tools and they run everything with one size plus they are extremly durable. They come in all the inlet sizes, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. For automotive and small garage the smaller type plugs and connects are fine though.

 

[nate379]

I have type I on my stuff. Seems to be the most common.

 

[mrb]

let me know how the milton ones work for you. I have been considering becoming a milton distributor.

 

[tdkkart]

let me know how the milton ones work for you. I have been considering becoming a milton distributor.

I've been using Milton stuff for 20+ years and have had no problems, dead reliable stuff. I have not however bought any recently so quality may have changed??

 

[mulepackin]

Milton T style for over 25 years. No problems. Reasonable price.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Prevost has some easy to disconnect couplers. The couplers use only one type of ****** (They make couplers for various types of *******, just that each coupler only accepts one type, they don't make multi-coulers). I am using Amflo multi-couplers that accept either industrial interchange, Lincoln/Aro type, or "automotive" *******. I have a mixed bag of ******* on my air tools, started using Lincoln, but they use the industrial interchange type at work.

Charles

 

[z28toz06]

I have one made by schraeder that is great. I wish I could find more.

 

[35mastr]

Another vote for Milton.20 years here also.

 

[-B-]

Type M quality fittings look at the quick releases you should have a minimum of 4 balls to engage with.

FYI M style is the same style we use for paintball up to 4500 psi.

 

[StingRay]

Lincoln/Milton type L with some Milton 3/8 type P for the connections going into the hose reels and some specialty Dynabrade 1/4 NPT high flow specifically for the paint guns

 

[RRmech]

I also used Milton at work for many years.

Steve

 

[Mr_fixit]

Milton 777, 778 & 775.

 

[IDASHO]

All lincoln type.

 

[JCQuick]

Milton all the way they have been around for a long time

 

[therealjakeg]

I use this one that my buddy got me from the dealer ship that he works at. Its just a easy push in and a red button pops your tool out. It works so good I tell everyone about them they are great not even sure where you can get them but there free from him

<a href="http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/?action=view&current=ac1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/ac1.jpg" border="0" alt="air coupler"></a>

<a href="http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/?action=view&current=ac2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/ac2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[SteveU]

Milton type V. Here is how they compare to the type M.

 

[therealjakeg]

dang those are some good flow I bet. Nice

 

[porschedude996TT]

I found these at MCMASTER.COM, made by Foster Manufacturing, they are a little more expensive, but they are better when you disconnect. I bought 15 of them for my current shop build.

Safety Vent Industrial-Shape Hose Sockets by Foster Manufacturing.

http://www.couplers.com/images/catalog/page4.pdf

 

[russlaferrera]

I used Milton "M series" They leaked. Switched to Milton "T series" they leaked. Switched to Milton "A series" they are leaking. Milton doesn't work for me. At $60 a change over I am getting PO.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I'm so tired of using cheap Harbor Freight couplers. They are a ***** to connect and they leak. I found 14 Milton couplers at a local unclaimed freight store for $2 each. I bought them all. I'll be swapping all my fittings later tonght. Is Milton stuff still made in the U.S.? I doesn't state on the coupler or the package. ??

CargoLargo, huh?

The only good one I have had from HF, they discontinued. I used Tomco, that I bought from thetoolwarehouse.net, and they no longer carry. One had gone bad, from using in the gravel, and I needed a quick replacement. HF, carried the Prevost style, for a bit, then stopped locally. I ordered one of the safety style that powertoolbox.net, carries, and I can't remember where I put it.

Now, Milton's are the only ones at the shop. If I never joined air hoses, I would use those, but better a longer air hose, then an extension cord on a compressor.

 

[pacmktg]

I will start by saying I am biased. I use and sell Coilhose products. They are made in NJ and have a great universal coupling that accepts all 3 *******. Automotive, Industrial, and ARO. These are by far the most common 3 types. The Lincoln style is way down on the list but a good coupler. Do a search

Bob

 

[deeno]

I use the Schrader 1/2" SHD fittings because they're bullet proof and because we use them at the factory where I work so borrowing tools doesn't involve changing the fittings.

They aren't cheap but they will last a lifetime under normal use.

More info here: http://www.couplers.com/images/catalog/page10.pdf

And here's a couple of pictures...

Dean

 

[Vinko]

I need to re-do my whole set up -- using a combo of Milton and cheapie Home Depot Couplers.

I've been wanted some Prevost for a while....

 

[nate379]

Just something to think about... if you use weird oddball connectors, it's a pain to swap out the fitting if you bring your tools to a buddies, lend something out on the trail (I 4x4), etc.

 

[bb1970]

I installed the new Milton fittings last night. They are far superior to the cheap HF fittings. Lesson learned. Don't expect too much out of HF stuff. The Miltons are type M. Easy to use, don't leak (yet). Now I've got 10 junk *** fittings I guess I'll sell at a garage sale. Now I need to replace the cheap P.O.S. drain fitting on my compressor.

 

[spazzer]

Milton T style for the last 9 years.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I use this one that my buddy got me from the dealer ship that he works at. Its just a easy push in and a red button pops your tool out. It works so good I tell everyone about them they are great not even sure where you can get them but there free from him

<a href="http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/?action=view&current=ac1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk227/jakobgribble/ac1.jpg" border="0" alt="air coupler"></a>

This is a Prevost coupling.

http://www.prevostusa.com/index.php

Charles

 

[nissan_crawler]

Milton Type V

 

[mikeweb]

Good article (halfway down the page) on air fittings/couplers

http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/news/aug03/aug03.html

I ended up picking these up from NAPA

US Item numbers start with NTH, Canada starts with ULT

Item#: NTH90686
Attributes:
Type:G
Style:3/8" True-Flate Automotive 6-ball
Inlet Size:1/4" Inlet Size
Inlet Type:Female Inlet
Quick Connect:No

Item#: NTH90685
Attributes:
Type:G
Style:3/8" True-Flate Automotive
Inlet Size:1/4"
Inlet Type:Male Inlet

Item#: NTH90687
Attributes:
Type:G
Style:3/8" True-Flate Automotive
Inlet Size:1/4"
Inlet Type:Female Inlet

I measured my fittings using a digital caliper (inside jaws)

1/4"
Type M: Milton 727 = 0.197
Type I/M: Campbell Hausfeld = 0.191
Type M: No Name = 0.188

3/8"
Type G: Amflo CP7 (True-flate) = 0.295

 

[SteveU]

dang those are some good flow I bet. Nice

Makes a noticeable difference in how much power air tools have, more so than turning up the pressure with smaller fittings.

 

[Mr_fixit]

I used Milton "M series" They leaked. Switched to Milton "T series" they leaked. Switched to Milton "A series" they are leaking. Milton doesn't work for me. At $60 a change over I am getting PO.

They all leak, eventually, when they do, throw that one out and install another.

 

[nissan_crawler]

1/4" Milton type V is .271 inside.

 

[Skyline]

Last week, I just replaced all my type M with the type V, and the difference was quite noticable. My Snap-on 3/8 impact gun, which I used to think just sucked, (since all my other air tools seem to function fine,) all of the sudden, works like a champ.

The one drawback seems to be that stuff like die grinders go so fast now, that the noise is almost painful.

One other step that I took at the same time when changing over to these fittings was to eliminate all the 1/4 fittings in my air system and make everything 3/8, except the fittings to the tools themselves.

 

[phildb4]

Any good ideas for storing air tools. Any good brackets for hanging air tools with the fittings facing up?

 

[-B-]

Any good ideas for storing air tools. Any good brackets for hanging air tools with the fittings facing up?

Get a piece of Aluminum 2x2 angle iron mill slots as needed.

 

[ColoradoBob]

I've used Milton Type M connectors for about 20 years. No issues with them.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Last week, I just replaced all my type M with the type V, and the difference was quite noticable. My Snap-on 3/8 impact gun, which I used to think just sucked, (since all my other air tools seem to function fine,) all of the sudden, works like a champ.

Yep. My aircat went from working well, to having to be careful with it. It'll put lugnuts over torque on the first of 3 settings without even rattling.

 

[ahaidet]

Last week, I just replaced all my type M with the type V, and the difference was quite noticable. My Snap-on 3/8 impact gun, which I used to think just sucked, (since all my other air tools seem to function fine,) all of the sudden, works like a champ.

The one drawback seems to be that stuff like die grinders go so fast now, that the noise is almost painful.

One other step that I took at the same time when changing over to these fittings was to eliminate all the 1/4 fittings in my air system and make everything 3/8, except the fittings to the tools themselves.

One thing you could do is put one of these on your grinders now.

Its a little regulator that goes on the bottom of your air tools.

When I worked in the machine shop we used to have these on the grinders there. Makes it easier to control them when doing delicate work.

A quick google search found several vendors anywhere from less than $5 up to $25 depending on style/size/brand.