air line couplers

[hairyapple]

Not sure where I should have posted this but here goes. I am pretty sick of air line quick disconnects that leak air. Doesn't seem like any of the ones I buy

work out very well. I thought I'd do some research and have discovered that those made by PLEWS for instance cost an awful lot. If I only needed one it wouldn't be bad but I need to replace several.

Anyone found a less expensive brand that actually work? I need both ends, male coupling and female insert in standard 1/4" size. Thanks again.

 

[JRobyn]

I've got a bunch of different makes. The Miltons seem to be the best. There are even rebuild kits available for them. I have actually had pretty good service out of the Harbor Freight BRASS ones. The steel/galvanized ones are junk. Leaky ones I have disassembled usually have a steel center valve core. Moisture in your air collects on the steel core and corrodes it away, resulting in the leak.

 

[Fallon]

I'll 2nd Milton. I'm mostly converted over to the Milton V series 1/4" high flow disconnects. Good to 300psi & 70 something CFM. Got tired of mismatched ones that wouldn't fit, not to mention the leaking so I've shelled out a good few bucks to get a pile of Miltons. About 3/4 deployed across all my stuff so far & really need to get some more for the last bit of random hose & tools that don't get used as much.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I pretty much have all Milton's too, only "once in a while" do I have one leak... not often though...

SR

 

[ray66v]

Hansen makes a better coupler than Milton. Trust me, in 43 years of auto repair, I've gone through a lot of couplers.

The biggest difference is, the ring you retract to couple them, is steel, instead of brass. The Milton brass rings are susceptible to damage, when dropped on the floor.

Eaton Hansen 12 Brass 1/4/5 Series, Industrial Interchange, Coupler Socket, 1/4" Body size x 3/8" NPT Female: Quick Connect Hose Fittings: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[crazyal]

I use Milton steel ones with no problems. I don't know which series they are (I think A) but you don't need to pull back the outer ring to connect them, just push them in. I've never had a problem with them leaking. I've had a female one rust but it's because I didn't pay attention in the winter and the connector was left on the wet cement and salt got on it but it still works just fine.

 

[not2old]

I miss the old DeVilbis bayonet style. A gentle push in and twist to couple or uncouple. If wall mounted, you only need one hand to use, they never leaked or got stuck, but progress is progress.

 

[radioman]

i was in this bind as well. I have used the ones that comes with the tool kits, or package kit and harbor freight ones. I had a couple that was leaking so i went to lowes and bought the bulk coupler from bins and made sure it was the industrial type with rubber seal inside. it was like night and day compared to the cheap junk i had. i have NO idea how long it will last as i just replaced mine couple months ago.

 

[hairyapple]

I had forgotten about Miltons and don't think I've ever seen a Hansen branded one. But now I will look for them. The idea of matching male to female of the same brand makes total sense.

I have bought HF branded parts with mixed results. I like the idea of replacement kits being available too. I also had at least one Senco that I think was fine. I'm going to pay a lot more attention to what I'm buying from now on. I hope these 3 Plews I ordered are okay. Speaking of PLEWS, does anyone have a schematic of a "Tru Flate "710" ? It's a reach but one never knows. It's a lever actuated air chuck with an automatic gauge that pops out when the lever is released. Mine was my dad's, I'm 70 and can't remember a time when we didn't own it. I tried contacting CS at Plews but they weren't any help, although they did respond. It leaks and I'm hoping it's just an oring or something generic that I can replace.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Not sure where I should have posted this but here goes. I am pretty sick of air line quick disconnects that leak air. Doesn't seem like any of the ones I buy

work out very well. I thought I'd do some research and have discovered that those made by PLEWS for instance cost an awful lot. If I only needed one it wouldn't be bad but I need to replace several.

Anyone found a less expensive brand that actually work? I need both ends, male coupling and female insert in standard 1/4" size. Thanks again.

I've been buying Milton - until now. The last one I bought with the gauge and rubber hose extension quit working within 6 months. And dang! That air chuck was expensive!

I'm beginning to think Milton quality has gone down. Based on what I've read here today, I'm ordering a few Hansen ones and will see how they hold up.