Air Compressor Fittings?

[wizer]

Hi Guys

Finally got some workshop time today. Had a go at setting up my new compressor but hit a brick wall. My Dad swapped the package hose with a retractable extension. Over xmas I realised you need a hose from the compressor to the extension, so I popped in to B&Q and picked up a Rockwell hose. On trying to fit it all together today, it appears none of the fittings are compatible with each other? Even the brad nailer gun doesn't seem to fit to anything??

What am I doing wrong? Are these not standard?

PS

The Compressor
The Nailer
The Extension
Air Duster

 

[Gower]

When I was in the motor trade virtually all fittings were standardized with PCL fittings. I had a similar problem recently and Machine Mart were able to supply PCL fittings from stock. Hope this helps.
Gower

 

[mailee]

Screwfix sell all of the relevant fittings. I just bought some recently for my machine. I use the PCL fittings and they are 1/4". You need to work out if you need male or female fittings and how you want to connect/disconnect the tools/machines. HTH :wink:

 

[wizer]

Thanks guys, think I might have to give axminster a call to work out what fittings work with what hose/tool.

 

[Digit]

I'm glad to hear that there's some standardization coming about, at last.
During my working life I have been driven insane trying to fit 2 different manufacturers fittings together.
There seemed to be everything from Whitworth to SAE to British Standard Lawnmower fits!

Roy.

 

[Jake]

There are loads of [edit - quick coupler] compressed air fittings, many of which are better than PCL, like CEJN 320. PCL is the standard, though. I couldn't work out whether Wizer was talking about the quick couplings or threaded fittings.

 

[Pecker]

my mate has got a NuTool compressor and that has got really wierd connectors on it, doesnt match either of my two sets of fittings

woody

 

[wizer]

There are loads of compressed air fittings, many of which are better than PCL, like CEJN 320. PCL is the standard, though. I couldn't work out whether Wizer was talking about the quick couplings or threaded fittings.

That what I am trying to work out?

 

[Digit]

Hopes dashed again damn it! Just as I'm about to plumb in my air system as well. I hope to beat the problem by buying everything from one supplier. Fingers crossed.

Roy.

 

[Jake]

Nearly everything is PCL by default, and if not you can change it over if you like the lowest common denominator. My Senco compressor came with CEJN's, and I swap everything over to those, instead.

Wizer, the threaded stuff is all (beyond reasonable doubt on this sort of kit) going to be BSP, which is standard, except (there has to be an except) for the diameter, which could be 1/4 inch. 3/8 or 1/2. You can get convertors between the different diameters if that is the problem - like for example a male 1/2 to a female 1/4 inch.

The quick release stuff I would expect to be PCL, but if not, they can be swapped over very easily to whatever you wish to standardise on. If you want to go beyond PCL, I can recommend compressedaironline which is where I get my CEJNs, super swift next day delivery, good prices. Their stuff comes pre-treated with thread sealant which is a bonus.

You can get PCL anywhere, which is an advantage.

 

[Digit]

My head's beginning to ache!

Roy.

 

[9fingers]

I would suggest that you plumb up the workshop with PCL quick release sockets.
It would be usual to use screwed iron pipe 1/2" should be enough. Put in a tee piece where you want an outlet and a reducer to suit the PCL socket -usually 1/4 BSP
For those that are unaware. no measurable parameter of a BSP thread is related to its designation.

1/4BSP is the thread that would be cut on a thick wall iron pipe with 1/4 bore.
Pipe now is thinner wall and so is greater then 1/4" bore.
similarly 1/2" pipe.

Use PTFE tape or paste type sealant on the joints.

Each of your tools should have a whip fitted. This is a foot or two of flexible pipe, fixed to the tool and a quick release (PCL) male on the end. This absorbs any vibration or shock from the tool and reduces the risk of the QR coupling coming undone.

Finally a choice of lengths of flexible hose with PCL male on one end and female on the other will complete what you need.

A lot of tools imported have a different type of QR fitting. I don't know what these are called but In my experience they can be poorly made and not always fit together, can leak and jump out when you least want it to.

HTH

Bob

 

[Jake]

Wizer, I've just looked at your links again. Quite a lot of air stuff doesn't come with quick couplers attached, probably because of the variety out there (and to cut costs). It looks like you have a 1/4" bsp fitting on the end of your hose roll thingy - you need to check whether that is male or female, and get the opposite sex of 1/4" bsp quick coupler with a female PCL (or pick your alternative better flavour) on the other end. Then you need a male PCL/male 1/4" BSP to screw into what I am guessing are the bare holes in the end of your nail gun and blower.

So if you used PCL and Axminster, you would need either 100311 (if you have a male thread on the tool end of your hose roll thingy) or 100312 (if you have a female thread) for the end of your extendible hose, and 100313 for the tools, here

From there, you'll be able to work out the rest for the connection between compressor and hose roll thingy - if not post some piccies.

 

[BradNaylor]

Hi Guys

Finally got some workshop time today. Had a go at setting up my new compressor but hit a brick wall. My Dad swapped the package hose with a retractable extension. Over xmas I realised you need a hose from the compressor to the extension, so I popped in to B&Q and picked up a Rockwell hose. On trying to fit it all together today, it appears none of the fittings are compatible with each other? Even the brad nailer gun doesn't seem to fit to anything??

What am I doing wrong? Are these not standard?

PS

The Compressor
The Nailer
The Extension
Air Duster

Hi Wizer,

I bet you're getting confused! I am and I know all about these things!

Basically, your brad nailer is fitted with a male PCL quick release fitting. What you need is another one of these for your blower and another for one end of your extension.

You then need a female PCL quick release fitting to go on your compressor, and another for the other end of your extension.

Machine Mart or Screwfix will get you sorted on a Sunday.

Job done.

Dan

 

[RogerS]

MachineMart PCL connectors are of variable quality, accuracy and consistency of machining. So be warned.

They also do a yellow-greenish extension hose which you should avoid like the plague as they are 100% rubbish.

 

[gidon]

MachineMart PCL connectors are of variable quality, accuracy and consistency of machining. So be warned.

They also do a yellow-greenish extension hose which you should avoid like the plague as they are 100% rubbish.

Machine Mart also do the genuine PCL stuff made in England for a little more money.

Cheers

Gidon

 

[malb]

Air tools with motors etc require a small proportion of tool oil to be added to the air to lube the motors. Most tools will come with a dripper bottle and the advice to place a couple of drops of oil into the air inlet before connecting the tool.

If a tool is lubed this way, most of the oil dripped in is ejected out of the exhaust in the first couple of seconds running, then the small amount of remaining oil is expected to lube the tool for the balance of the job.

For more consistent oiling, a central inline oiler can be added after the regulator and moisture trap, providing a continuous minute oil flow to connected tools.

However, if only one outlet is available, air for 'dry' tasks like inflating tyres, spray painting, dust blowing etc also ends up pre oiled.

To avoid this, you set the compressor up with 2 outlets, dry and oiled and then use different types of fittings and separate hoses for each type. It costs a little more to set up this way, but you can be assured then that you are using the correct air for the application, and that tools that need oiling receive it.

 

[RogerS]

MachineMart PCL connectors are of variable quality, accuracy and consistency of machining. So be warned.

They also do a yellow-greenish extension hose which you should avoid like the plague as they are 100% rubbish.

Machine Mart also do the genuine PCL stuff made in England for a little more money.

Cheers

Gidon

Any indication in the catalogue as to which are the better ones?

 

[BradNaylor]

Air tools with motors etc require a small proportion of tool oil to be added to the air to lube the motors. Most tools will come with a dripper bottle and the advice to place a couple of drops of oil into the air inlet before connecting the tool.

If a tool is lubed this way, most of the oil dripped in is ejected out of the exhaust in the first couple of seconds running, then the small amount of remaining oil is expected to lube the tool for the balance of the job.

For more consistent oiling, a central inline oiler can be added after the regulator and moisture trap, providing a continuous minute oil flow to connected tools.

However, if only one outlet is available, air for 'dry' tasks like inflating tyres, spray painting, dust blowing etc also ends up pre oiled.

To avoid this, you set the compressor up with 2 outlets, dry and oiled and then use different types of fittings and separate hoses for each type. It costs a little more to set up this way, but you can be assured then that you are using the correct air for the application, and that tools that need oiling receive it.

I am sure that you are absolutely right in all that you say, but for the occasional user of a couple of air tools a drop of oil in the end every now and then will do just fine.

I use brad nailers and air drills daily and I've never had a problem with oiling them manually whenever I remember to - which is about as often as I remember to drain the compressor!

 

[wizer]

Wow who'd have though this could be so confusing?

Thanks very much all who replied. I am certainly better informed than I was yesterday but still a bit confused.. I need to return some stuff to Axminster so I may have a drive down there tomorrow afternoon and see if I can work it out.

With reference to the inline oiler. Where in the system should that be placed? Right next to the tool or right next to the compressor outlet?