Air compressor quick coupler that doesn't leak

[stuckmotor]

Several of the cheap quick couplers on my air compressor hoses and air tools leak. Is there a brand or type that seals better than the rest? Is there a trick to making them seal?

 

[allen6634]

i can't rember the typ of chuck i use but it doesn't leak like the old ones with the short nipple , the ones i use has a long nipple .

 

[RickB]

Genuine Milton couplers are superior. Keep them clean, both male & female.

 

[Bird]

Hard to go wrong with Milton, at least in the past, since all mine are at least several years old.

 

[Gordon Gould]

If at one time they did not leak but now they do then try cleaning them up and put a little lite oil on them. That works for the one I have. They are all older.

 

[varmint]

I've got some USA couplers from the 1950's (from my dad, I'm not quite that old) that don't leak. A little silicone on the seals does wonders. Some new ones, Harbor Freight grade, do leak. Hmmmm. You gets what youse pays for (sometimes)

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've got some USA couplers from the 1950's (from my dad, I'm not quite that old) that don't leak. A little silicone on the seals does wonders. Some new ones, Harbor Freight grade, do leak. Hmmmm. You gets what youse pays for (sometimes)

We have a lot of the HF quick couplers and none leak.

http://t.harborfreight.com/5-piece-brass-industrialmilton-uick-connect-starter-set-68237.html

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have both HF and Walmart (Campbell Hausfeld)quick couplers and none of them leak and they mix/match very well. I guess I am just lucky to have not picked up any with a defective seal.

 

[stuckmotor]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll try: cleaning, oiling, Milton, in that order, until they quit leaking.

 

[Johnny g]

If you do any spray painting stay away from oil and silicone. sometimes two male fittings the same style, one will leak & one will not, maybe thats where cleaning comes in.

 

[Soundguy]

put a smear of faucet grease on the oring now and then too.

goes a long way.

 

[bandaidmd]

Make sure the nipples are good on the ends it can quickly nick the rubber seal in the coupler. I used to sell milton and agree there good quality and rebuildable if you can find a place that sells kits.

 

[ray66v]

A common reason for air leakage, is a damaged nipple, (the male end).

The next issue, is missing ball bearings in the coupler. Eventually from wear, and dropping the hose end on the concrete floor all day, one falls out.

I have probably bought over one hundred couplers over the years. Hansen couplers are the best, if you can get them. They used to make them within walking distance of my shop, and I still had trouble getting them. There are more distributors now, so it may have gotten easier. HANSEN Coupler Socket,3/8 (F)NPT - Quick Connect Couplings - 31C965|1200 - Grainger Industrial Supply

Milton M style, are an acceptable substitute. My only concern with them, is the slide ring is brass, so they are more susceptible to damage than the steel ring that Hansen uses.

For HVLP spray guns, I use these couplers and plugs : RBL Products , 620 Cock'n Lock 1/4" Euro Coupler Set, They are full flow, and deliver much more volume than standard couplers. They also can accept "normal" M style plugs, if you need to use the hose for more than painting. And, they are very light weight.

 

[JRobyn]

I trust Milton couplers as the best, but recently had something happen to one of the females that I had never seen before. It started leaking, at first just a tiny seep, but then gradually much more. I replaced it with another and took it apart. Although the body/ring etc were all brass, the internal PLUG that actually seals it was apparently mild steel and had rusted to an unrecognizable lump! I was able to get "rebuild" kits but had a hard time finding them. They were only about $1 but I had to pay about $10 shipping

- Jay