Thread: Air Hose fittings

Well, I only have one hose running off my compressor but do have a quick change bit on the end of the hose. Very handy for switching between tools (air nailer, duster, tire inflator and kids soccer ball pump etc)

pay the money for the snap lock fittings, it will pay for itself in the long run.
but try a specialist tool store or a store that only sells air tools or something like that it might save you a buck. ( dont forget to go there in your work clothes)
cheers Ian

Smidsy
I went a specialist air tools/compressor store and purchased - 20mt hose and a kit which had a Spray Gun, degreaser, Blowdown Gun, tyre inflator with Gauge and 6mt curly Hose. Cost $55.00
Also purchased some snap lock fittings for hose and compressor which cost about $15.
Plus the salesperson was helpfull.

It's probably worth buying proper trade fittings. Some of the el-cheapo's join hoses, but aren't quite airtight.

If you buy a kit though you'll probably get a few fittings with it...use them till you get tired of the hissing in the background!

Cheers,


P

Smidsy,


Go for the quick release snap lock fittings, they make the changing of tools so much more convenient.

I plumbed the whole of the workshop area with a permanent airhose setup and found that surprisingly Bunnings air fittings were cheaper than the air tool shop. I also used the flexible airhose for this plumbing and after 5 years still no problems. Much cheaper and easier than fixed copper /plastic tubing.

There are also about 4 different types of quick release fittings so pick on one that is supplied with most of the now current air tools.


Peter.

When I was setting mine up, I found Bunnings had a big choice and cheaper than Supercheap. I didn't look any further as these are local and open on weekends.

I already had a hose, so got myself one of the Supercheap manual hose reels. Which works OK and keeps the hose up out of the way when not in use. But now I see places like Hare & Forbes and also Mitre 10 (project Air brand), sell the auto-rewind? type (like you see at service stations) for around the $100 which ALSO comes with 15m of hose.

Stephen

Cheers guys.
I bought a 20 metre length of air hose from a hardware distributor for $35 but they only had the expensive fittings.
Also got a 4 peice (spray gun, kero gun, blower and trye inflater) tool kit, and got the fittings from bunnings - $40 for mid range snap on stuff which gave me all that I need for snap on tools and link to the compressor and two different length air hoses.
Cheers
Paul

dont dick around with cheap air fittings, high pressure air is something to take very seriously.
the cheap fitting have compatibility problems. Spend $4 or $5 at Gasweld or elsewhere and standardise on quality like Ryco.
also be careful of leaving some of the cheap, thin walled hoses pressurised, they will split

Gasweld is good but the only trouble they are only in NSW and SA.

you can get them anywear, just about every factory is using Ryco or Ryco equivalent fittings. I mentioned Gasweld because they are cheaper than Total Tools for these fittings.

I really meant what I said about hose, especially that blue curly light weight hose that comes in the $60 starter kits- be careful and disconnect after every use

Try also to get airline fittings with the largest bore size available for the hose that you select. That way you wont starve your air tools by having a restriction in the line ie your quick change fitting.

Unless you have a very unusual demand for air and a large industrial compressor capable of supplying it I doubt you will suffer from air starvation caused by fittings.
90% of the country uses 1/4" BSP fittings quite happily

Originally Posted by ClintO

Unless you have a very unusual demand for air and a large industrial compressor capable of supplying it I doubt you will suffer from air starvation caused by fittings.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I have experienced otherwise. When I first started using a fitting which employs a button arrangement on both sides of the female part to lock the male piece into place, I continually had problems with high consumption tools. The female section has a very small openning which when coupled to either my air finishing sander or air random orbital sander, the units starve - slow down due to insuffient air flow, not pressure. By changing over to a barb type assy which uses the 3 small ball bearings inside the female section, my problem was solved.

Further your statement regarding the compressor sizing is irrelivant, it is the tool which demands the correct flow and pressure and any restrictions between the compressor reserviour and the tool can starve the tool.

In closing I suggest you check what the fitting is cablable of passing through, not the size of the end you stuff in the hose and clamp

thats why I said to use Ryco or equivalent. These are industry standard and you will still be able to buy them in 10 years time when you are buying air tools.

The tool can demand what it likes, if your compressor/receiver combo cant supply at that rate then you are going to be working intermittently.