Where to buy a metric fitting.

tallyho8 · Apr 24, 2016

On my cheap-o Harbor Freight air compressor, a compression nut broke on the tubing that runs from the compressor to the tank. This appears to be 10 mm copper tubing and I need to get a female compression nut and ferrule.

I have found distributors that sell them by the thousand but can't find any places that sell just one.

murphy1244 · Apr 24, 2016

tallyho8 said:
On my cheap-o Harbor Freight air compressor, a compression nut broke on the tubing that runs from the compressor to the tank. This appears to be 10 mm copper tubing and I need to get a female compression nut and ferrule.

I have found distributors that sell them by the thousand but can't find any places that sell just one.

View attachment 466065

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IslandTractor · Apr 24, 2016

Try britishmetrics.com. They're in Maryland.

jeff9366 · Apr 24, 2016

As you are seeking a compression fitting, does it have to be metric? I would think a sterling measurement fitting would work fine, as you are tightening it for effect.

tallyho8 · Apr 24, 2016

Fastenal doesn't sell them. British Metrics wants $20 plus shipping but they are out of stock and may be about a month or so. The female compression fitting has to screw unto the male compression fitting in the tank so I can't use something with different threads.

$25 seems like a lot to pay for a nut for a $99 air compressor. I think I will try to silver solder the tubing to the fitting.

dstig1 · Apr 25, 2016

The answer is ALWAYS McMastre-Carr. McMaster-Carr I haven't looked, but they have it. They will deal with individuals (unlike Grainger) and they stock everything. Shipping is fast and fairly priced, but their prices are not low...

dstig1 · Apr 25, 2016

The answer is ALWAYS McMaster-Carr. McMaster-Carr I haven't looked, but they have it. They will deal with individuals (unlike Grainger) and they stock everything. Shipping is fast and fairly priced, but their prices are not low...

mrmikey · Apr 25, 2016

Does the fitting in the compressor unscrew? Maybe you can replace the complete fitting ....Mike

Bladehauler · Apr 25, 2016

discount hydraulics has metric fittings
Discount Hydraulic Hose

IslandTractor · Apr 25, 2016

??JB Weld

tallyho8 · Apr 25, 2016

mrmikey said:
Does the fitting in the compressor unscrew? Maybe you can replace the complete fitting ....Mike

Then I would still have to find a metric fitting to screw back in.

tallyho8 · Apr 25, 2016

IslandTractor said:
??JB Weld

Good idea if I don't get a fitting and my silver solder doesn't hold.

tallyho8 · Apr 25, 2016

Bladehauler said:
discount hydraulics has metric fittings
Discount Hydraulic Hose

They didn't have the one I needed.

tallyho8 · Apr 25, 2016

dstig1 said:
The answer is ALWAYS McMastre-Carr. McMaster-Carr I haven't looked, but they have it. They will deal with individuals (unlike Grainger) and they stock everything. Shipping is fast and fairly priced, but their prices are not low...

Bingo. They had it in stock. Only $6 but they don't tell the shipping price till after you buy it. I don't think it will be much. I ordered.

EddieWalker · Apr 26, 2016

McMaster Carr is who I use all the time for those odd things that you just can't find anywhere else. Great company to deal with. Supper fast and fair pricing!!!

tallyho8 · Apr 26, 2016

I got my order from McMaster Carr today. Great one day shipping for only $4. It took 5 minutes to put it on and now my compressor works fine again.

PILOON · Apr 26, 2016

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but today's marketing seems to be that anything under $100 is disposable.
With parts mark ups and labor rates (which they want to increase) just about anything is 'disposable'.

tallyho8 · Apr 26, 2016

PILOON said:
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but today's marketing seems to be that anything under $100 is disposable.
With parts mark ups and labor rates (which they want to increase) just about anything is 'disposable'.

How well I know that. I was in the air conditioning business for 38 years and for most of that time, the only part of an air conditioner that was so expensive that we recommended the customer not repair it was the compressor. Right before I retired, an Asian-made air conditioner listed 37 different parts that cost more than the air conditioner sold for brand new. How could a seviceman make a living repairing them?

dstig1 · Apr 27, 2016

Yeah McMaster is weird about not telling you shipping costs, but then you finally get them, and it is cheap. But it makes people nervous. Not sure why they do that...