Advice on compressed air lines and quick release fittings.

Post by **MikeNash** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:18 pm

Greetings comrades!
I found my 50ft SIP 3/8 inch airline's rubber walls are cracked and leaking and am thinking of replacing it. Its only 5 year's old and although only used occasionally every few months, coiled carefully in big loops and stored out of tjhe light, its still deteriorated badly. Are there better products out there?
Also I'd like advice on the use of quick release fittings. I've got them on the line and airtools (and jolly convenient they are too) but I wonder if they're not a bit restrictive to the air supply. Whart's your opinion?
Thanks in advance, MikeN.

Post by **MoggyTech** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:25 pm

Rubber does tend to crack after 5 years, but usually due to UV light. You can get silicon sheathed air lines from most of the major tool companies.

Re quick release fittings, shouldn't be a problem, standard type of connection used in garages.

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:34 pm

I've not seen an alternative to them on sale anywhere - and wouldn't be fitting anything except quick release even if I did

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Post by **paulk** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:50 pm

Ah but there are about 3 different types of quick release fittings and they are in something like 3 sizes each. This causes me much irritation and swearing every time I buy something new.

Just get lots of the same type and use them they all do much the same job.

Post by **overider** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:14 pm

Most of the air tools and spray equipment have a ¼ bsp orifice so the pcl fitting [quick release] should not cause a restriction of air. It is always best to try to standardise the pcl fittings to all your air tools. Just find out what your local tool shop [machine mart etc.] stock and use that type. Make sure you fit the hoses with both a male and female at opposite ends and not a female at both ends. You should never fit them so the airline remains pressurised when disconnected.

Post by **MikeNash** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:30 am

Thanks for your rapid advice folks. I'm hunting thro' the Screwfix and Machine Mart cats for the superior lines you've mentioned.
My query on fittings was prompted by buying some tools currently in Adli stores (v good and cheap by the way) which came with quick release 8mm items - and I've 1/4 inch BSP on everything else. Fortunately, the new tools have 1/4 BSP threads in their bodies so a visit to Halfords to get bits to make the swap sorted it out. (Is 1/4 inch BSP an international standard? Ah! the Old Empire still lives!)
For Overrider, why male and female at opposite ends of the line? I use female at each end and male on the compressor and tools. Does this leave the line pressurized? If so, it might be aggrivating the line cracking. Regards, MikeN.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:36 am

Yes, that would leave it pressurised because the females are self-sealing. I use female on the compressor and male on the tools. Doesn't the reservoir decompress when you disconnect the hose if you have a male connector on it? Having both sexes on each hose means you can have several shorter hoses and chain them together if necessary.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:02 am

I use PCL fittings.
Screwfix or Machine Mart own versions just as good as the proper PCL branded items and interchangable.
My compressor is too big to move around so I have to use long hoses.
I got fed up of unreeling / untangling every time I wanted extra length so recently bought a cheap auto retract reel off eBay for £15.
This now hangs from roof of car port so it reaches into drive as well.
A cheap and cheerful coiled hose connects auto retract reel to compressor.

Paul Humphries

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:12 pm

" use PCL fittings.
Screwfix or Machine Mart own versions just as good as the proper PCL branded items and interchangable.
My compressor is too big to move around so I have to use long hoses. " quote Paul Humphries

I do the same, Machine Mart PCL, but having bought an extra reel and oiler/regulator from ALDI I'm planning on teeing off the compressor to have one oiled line for air tools and a clean line for spraying.
BTW, Shiremore compressors are very good for mail order and their prices and quality and service seem good too.

Post by **overider** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:12 pm

This is a good idea chickenjohn with the separate air/oil feed for your tools. Just make sure its the correct oil. It should be air lube and it has a low viscosity almost like water.

Post by **overider** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:23 pm

MikeNash wrote: (Is 1/4 inch BSP an international standard? Ah! the Old Empire still lives!)
For Overrider, why male and female at opposite ends of the line? I use female at each end and male on the compressor and tools. Does this leave the line pressurized? If so, it might be aggrivating the line cracking. Regards, MikeN.

Yes Mike 1/4 bsp is a international standard. Also using females at both end will defiantly leave the pipe pressurised and add to the cracking of the rubber.
It is also a health and safety concern.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:09 pm

overider wrote:This is a good idea chickenjohn with the separate air/oil feed for your tools. Just make sure its the correct oil. It should be air lube and it has a low viscosity almost like water.

Good point! I have a bottle of air tool oil.
As for rubber air lines, i think 5 years life is probably about what you can expect.

Post by **alex_holden** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:18 pm

I use clear reinforced PVC tubing from Airlines-Pneumatics at work. The one we have at home also looks like some kind of reinforced plastic and it was second hand when we got it about 12 years ago. The main disadvantage is they are not terribly flexible, which can make spraying a bit more awkward, and they are cumbersome to coil up after a job.

Post by **overider** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:06 pm

The links below shows the composite hose with the correct fitting attached.
The second link is the braided hose that I think Alex uses. Both should be ok but as Alex said, the braided hose goes ridged with age and cold conditions that come with compressed air. Unless you buy a dryer/warmer for it. I personally think the composite is much better all round.
The third is the different PCL fittings again my preference is the 100 series.
and the fourth is the regulators, lubricators,filters etc.

Hope this helps.

http://secure.thorite.co.uk/938bcc10865 ... 712-44238/

http://secure.thorite.co.uk/938bcc10865 ... 709-46190/

http://secure.thorite.co.uk/938bcc10865 ... /c-1-1559/

http://secure.thorite.co.uk/938bcc10865 ... 025-44874/

Post by **MikeNash** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:06 am

Well, thanks for all your advice and the comments on it too, folks.
I particularly like the idea of separate lines for tools and clean air. To date, I've been puts a few drops of oil in the tool before use - not really a satisfactory method of lubrication. And thanks for the links to products.
Its amazing how useful the Morris site and its contributors are, isn't it? Regards, to all, MikeN.

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:42 am

Slighlty off topic.
I bought 2 new oilers a while ago off eBay as they were cheap (about £6 each).
One is for my airline - and the other is my my Minor

You can buy a commercial device that trickles unleaded addative into the engine via the inlet vacuum.
I'm going to use the oiler in a similar way when I get around to fitting a vac take off (for servo).
In theory it should work but if not then only £6 lost and I have a second oiler for my airline.
Biggest problem will be calibrating so a rough idea is route the vac pipe and oiler into the car temporary so I can get a passenger to monitor the rate addative drips at various speeds / engine vacuum etc.

Paul Humphries

Post by **Spag** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:55 am

overider wrote: You should never fit them so the airline remains pressurised when disconnected.

Hmm, if you don't have a sealing female at the end of the hose, it all gets a bit exciting when you want to change tools over !!! Cue the crazy Tarzan python fight in the garage

I hope you meant male at the compresser end o the hose, and fem at the tool end

Here, if you get bored of remembering to drain the water from the compressor tank, then leave the drain screw cracked open just a touch, so it is always a teeny bit leaky. Means the cylinder will let itself down after a few hours too. (I am not a great fan of 50l @ 145 psi, just sitting there )

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:17 am

Spag wrote:
Here, if you get bored of remembering to drain the water from the compressor tank, then leave the drain screw cracked open just a touch, so it is always a teeny bit leaky. Means the cylinder will let itself down after a few hours too. (I am not a great fan of 50l @ 145 psi, just sitting there )

I'm going to fit one of these when I can find a UK source as postage from US is too dear-
http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/compressor/

Paul Humphries

Post by **overider** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:58 pm

Paul Humhries

I'm going to fit one of these when I can find a UK source as postage from US is too dear-
http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/compressor/

Paul Humphries

Hi paul try this link you can set the intervals of the blow off.

http://secure.thorite.co.uk/product.asp ... rtRecord=1

However, remember you have to catch the drain off as it contains pollutants. Alternatively, you can get a filter system that separates the oil from the water for you.
Ya have to be environment friendly and all that now.

.

Post by **overider** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:09 pm

Spag wrote:
overider wrote: You should never fit them so the airline remains pressurised when disconnected.
Hmm, if you don't have a sealing female at the end of the hose, it all gets a bit exciting when you want to change tools over !!! Cue the crazy Tarzan python fight in the garage

I hope you meant male at the compresser end o the hose, and fem at the tool end

Sorry I mean the airline should not be able to remain pressurised if it is disconnected from air tools and or compressor i.e. seal at both ends.

You should start with a valve at the compressor with a female connector screwed into this.
You can then connect your airline by pushing the male connector into the female connector. Because the other end of the airline is sealed with the female, it remains safe. When disconnecting you keep hold of the male part of the airline and push the female fitting back thus avoiding the snake effect. fewww! Hope that was clear.