Quality no-leak air line quick connects?

[Bruce Page]

I’ve been fighting small air leaks in the quick connects for my 3 coiled air hoses. I’ve already been through the mostly junk quality that the borgs offer.

Can anybody recommend a quality quick connect?

Anyone have any experience with these?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XFYP89G/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1

[Greg Parrish]

I’m actually using the ones from Lowe’s but I had a few that had to be exchanged to get ones that didn’t leak. The ones I have are working well now though and I like the push button pressure release.

[Ben Rivel]

I only use Flexzilla connectors, quick connects and hoses and so far Ive not had any issue with any of it. I believe they are made by Legacy?

[Bruce Page]

Ben, have you checked them lately? I bought this set from Legacy in 2014: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TFE7WK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No leaks when I installed them in 2014 but today when I dunked them in a bucket of water all of them were leaking, even the one hooked up to my seldom used portable tank.

[Greg Parrish]

Those and the ones on flexZilla website are normal couplers, right? Based on your first link I thought you were talking about the style with the push bottom release to break pressure before releasing the plug from the coupler. I have flexZilla hose and switched from the ones you linked to the push button style and love the ease of disconnecting tools.

[Bruce Page]

Yes, they are normal quick connects. I'm looking for a higher quality connector. The push button release that I linked to would be a nice benefit but not a requirement. When I worked as a machinist years ago the shop used Schrader quick connects. They were high quality industrial but a PITB to use. McMaster Carr sells them for $42 each. I would like to find the same quality level but more user friendly.

[Chris Fairbanks]

I switched over to the Prevost high flow fittings a few years ago. Only downside is they are not compatible with the normal generic fittings. Besides that they rock, no leaks, easy to connect and great flow.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7JWYR4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003969BJS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8I9TKO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Wayne Lomman]

Atlas Copco profile type 33 quick connect. They are robust and leak free for many years. Single push button types are not the best. The AC ones are rated for breathing air so if you can't find them, look for ones that are built to BA standards. They will do what you want. Cheers

[Jim Becker]

I think that part of the issue with these kind of components is that despite "standards", there are enough minor variances between brands, etc., that small leaks are almost to be expected when mixing things up. I will hazard a guess that sticking with one specific brand across the board will help with this, such as those that Chris and Wayne mention by example. (I'm sure there are others, too)

I currently have a mixture and am sure I lose some air as a result.

[Dan Friedrichs]

I had switched to this new style where you don't have to pull the outer sleeve back when inserting the male end (you just push it in). They started leaking after a few years.

I think based on other threads on SMC, I ended up switching to Milton-brand "regular" QDs, and they have been leak-free. As Jim said, I suspect brand standardization is important - in my case, I went through and replaced every M and F end all at once with Milton fittings.

[Roy Petersen]

I just use the ones from a local auto parts store. Under $10 per female and $6 for male ends. They don't leak, and as long as you don't mind the slide collars, easy to find. Amazon has something like it:

https://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Valve-DCP1703-Interchange-Quick-Connect/dp/B0037QFJ6O/ref=sr_1_13?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1538667621&sr=1-13&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4469909011

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-4714-4-Inch-Connect-Coupler/dp/B0062PB6EG/ref=sr_1_8?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1538667621&sr=1-8&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A4469909011

[Bruce Page]

Thanks for the info, there's a lot to sift through.


I think that part of the issue with these kind of components is that despite "standards", there are enough minor variances between brands, etc., that small leaks are almost to be expected when mixing things up. I will hazard a guess that sticking with one specific brand across the board will help with this, such as those that Chris and Wayne mention by example. (I'm sure there are others, too)

I currently have a mixture and am sure I lose some air as a result.

Jim, that was exactly my reasoning when I installed the Legacy set in 2014.

[Greg R Bradley]

Milton:
www.MiltonIndustries.com

[Peter Kelly]

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-type/air-couplers.html?limit=all&manufacture_country=7

The Tru-Flate ones are as good as Milton.

[Bill Dufour]

I think a cheap fix is to upgrade the o-ring to a quality one. I wonder if silicone ring would last longer. They are fairly easy to rebuild.
Bill D.

[Tom M King]

All mine are Milton, for no better reason than that's what I started with. Some are over 40 years old. I only ever remember replacing one out of more than a couple of dozen.

[Martin Wasner]

I don't know what brand we use, but they last a couple of years. Which is pretty good considering on a bench they get unplugged and plugged in 50 times a day easily.

[Ed Labadie]

I use Milton "A" style.

Push to connect, no need to pull a sleeve back.

They are available in the pull sleeve to connect design also.

All air couplings wear out....I've get years of service from them, no complaints.

Ed

[Bruce Wrenn]

When one starts to leak, take coupler body apart, then turn rubber bushing over. Reassemble and enjoy. Remember that they were put together at the factory, using either an "O" ring, or short piece of hose to do the sealing.

[Bruce Page]

I decided to order the Prevost high flow couplers. I hope they last more than a couple of years.

[Ronald Blue]

You've already selected a coupler but these are first rate couplers but a lot higher priced them most. The nice thing is they connect and disconnect with pressure removed and they never uncouple accidentally.

hoseandfittingsetc.com/product/fittings/quick-couplings/pneumatic-qc/special-purpose-/parker-e-z-mate-couplings

[Mike Heidrick]

I use milton v hi flow and buy multipacks on amazon.

[Bruce Page]

I installed the Prevost high flow couplers last weekend. Yay, no leaks! The build quality looks very good. I like the simple “push in” to connect and the push button release.
My only complaint is the inside diameter of the Prevost coupler is .010 larger than the standard borg type couplers that I’ve used for years, (.475 ID vs. .465 ID). That’s not a problem as long as you replace the connect nipples on all of your air guns, tire chucks, etc., with their connect nipples. Fortunately I also bought a 10 pack each of their male and female nipples.

[Tom M King]

I drug this hose out yesterday to run an impact wrench, and remembered this thread. This connector was bought new in 1974. It came with a bunch of stuff I bought from a Senco salesman. It's still on the original hose, on the only reel it's ever been on. It was drug in, and out from 1974 to 2007, almost every day, and has been used a bunch since then, but not every day. I can't even estimate how many thousands of uses this has put up with, but it has never leaked.

It's getting a bit hard to operate because the knurling has mostly worn off of it, but it hasn't gotten to the point that it bothers me enough to change it. It's a Milton H style, which is very similar to the smaller M style which is seen almost everywhere. I don't know if the greater amount of surface area over the smaller, more common ones makes the difference or not, but it probably makes some difference.

Since this is what I started with, and I had no reason to change, every air tool I have (too many to think about counting) has Milton H filttings.

[Jack Lemley]

Dido what Chris listed below. I switched to these a couple of years ago and zero leaking.

Jack


I switched over to the Prevost high flow fittings a few years ago. Only downside is they are not compatible with the normal generic fittings. Besides that they rock, no leaks, easy to connect and great flow.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7JWYR4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003969BJS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B8I9TKO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Bruce Page]

Dido what Chris listed below. I switched to these a couple of years ago and zero leaking.

Jack

That's good to hear. I went with them - see post 20 & 23.