air tools and quick connects

[Wood_workur]

I'm currently starting to shop for an air compressor and nail guns. One thing I'm not exactly clear about is the air inlet size and how that corresponds with the quick connects. I see some tools have a 3/8" inlet and other have a 1/4" inlet. I know there are a few types of quick connects, but do they come in different sizes, or are they all the same and just have a different size NPT connection?

[pelligrini]

I get a little confused by them all too. You'll probably be working with 1/4" for most things.

Lchien started a pretty good article here: http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=55470

[LCHIEN]

you should read my primer that Pelligrini linked.

As for your tools. I assume you mean the tool has a 3/8" NPT or a 1/4" NPT port.
Uusally tools with 3/8" NPT ports are tools that have greater air flow requirements than tools with the smaller 1/4" NPT fittings. MOst small compressors that run on 115VAC or have less than 2 HP motors will only put out so much airflow and will not need more than 1/4" NPT connectors. If your tool has 3/8" NPT connectors then you'd better have a 230V compressor at 3-5 HP.

You will probably also have to consider whether a 3/8" hose is adequate for flow or if you need a 1/2" hose.

What is the pressure and air flow requirements listed for the tools with 3/8" NPT fittings?

In the pneumatic world, air flow is analogous to electrical current and the connectors need to have large openings analogous to the large conductor and contact sizes in high current wiring.

[Wood_workur]

The tools are all nail guns, so I'm sure that they will run fine on the 1/4" connections, specifically the NR83A2 which is .064 ft^3 per nail, but they are specified as having a 3/8" inlet. Would that mean that while its a 3/8" NPT the QD on it would connect to the standard sized QD that you see at the BORG, or would it be a 1/4" NPT fitting installed with an adapter?

[LCHIEN]

https://miltonindustries.com/uploads...alog_Pg_35.pdf

states that plugs like these are defined by the plug size and the thread size. In your case teh thread size is 3/8" NPT. The plugs are available in ten types of quick connect, the desirable/popular ones being the Milton (see my tutorial) which come in three style/sizes M, H, and G, the M being 1/4" "Industrial series" which is the popular one. They state its good to 40 CFM, which is a lot.

So you need to trundle down to the store and find a plug with a 3/8" NPT thread and a Milton "M" plug. I think these should be readily available.

Like this:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Indu...PT-Male/T22472


Failing that you can get an adapter for 3/8" NPT female to 1/4" NPT but that might be awkwardly long to put on a nailer.

[cabinetman]

Most air tools have ¼" NPT male or female connections. Air hoses that are ⅜" (inside diameter) have ¼" fittings, and are more than adequate.

.

[BobSch]

Just watch out for HF quick connects. Nothing worse than climbing up on the roof only to find the QC on the compressor end of the hose popped out.

[Cochese]

Just watch out for HF quick connects. Nothing worse than climbing up on the roof only to find the QC on the compressor end of the hose popped out.

Or leaking more air than a 50 year old spare tire.

[Wood_workur]

https://miltonindustries.com/uploads...alog_Pg_35.pdf

states that plugs like these are defined by the plug size and the thread size. In your case teh thread size is 3/8" NPT. The plugs are available in ten types of quick connect, the desirable/popular ones being the Milton (see my tutorial) which come in three style/sizes M, H, and G, the M being 1/4" "Industrial series" which is the popular one. They state its good to 40 CFM, which is a lot.

So you need to trundle down to the store and find a plug with a 3/8" NPT thread and a Milton "M" plug. I think these should be readily available.

Like this:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/Indu...PT-Male/T22472


Failing that you can get an adapter for 3/8" NPT female to 1/4" NPT but that might be awkwardly long to put on a nailer.

excellent, this is exactly what I was looking for, thanks a lot everyone.

[dbhost]

Or leaking more air than a 50 year old spare tire.

In all fairness. I have a mess of HF quick connects, and yes, some of them were junk. But the failure rate wasn't what I expected, and they were happy to swap them out for me.

If you grab the HF quick connect sets, just test them out before relying on them... I have a few non HF connectors in my shop now, but most everything is HF connectors, and no leaks...

[Cochese]

In all fairness. I have a mess of HF quick connects, and yes, some of them were junk. But the failure rate wasn't what I expected, and they were happy to swap them out for me.

If you grab the HF quick connect sets, just test them out before relying on them... I have a few non HF connectors in my shop now, but most everything is HF connectors, and no leaks...

The ones I got aren't very good. I'm planning to switch them out with some quality ones, mainly because I don't need a lot with my setup - whatever my setup will eventually be. I think if you need a lot, HF is probably a smart money choice if you have the patience to QC them.

[cabinetman]

Just a tip. It's much easier to hook up air tools if there is no pressure on the line. If there is pressure, have a good grip on both the air fitting on the hose, and the tool. If it flies off due to an incomplete connection, the hose can take part of your face off.

.

[LCHIEN]

The ones I got aren't very good. I'm planning to switch them out with some quality ones, mainly because I don't need a lot with my setup - whatever my setup will eventually be. I think if you need a lot, HF is probably a smart money choice if you have the patience to QC them.

in my experience I had a bunch of HF connectors and some others. When one was leaking (how much it leaked depended upon whether there was any side load on the connector), I figured it was a HF. Turned out it was a Husky (Home depot).