Air Compressor Fittings?

[DaveL]

I bought some of these and fitted them to my air tools.

I like to keep the air hoses free of oil, I use the same hoses for all of my tools and the blow gun/tyre inflater and air brush need clean air.

 

[9fingers]

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..

keep asking the questions if you want Wizer- we are here to help each other after all.

Bob

 

[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

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

In the catalogue - on one page it has the machine mart ones - and the opposite page it says "PCL air technology". I don't have the catalogue to hand and the website doesn't make it clear as far as I can tell. But in the shop the better ones have "PCL air tech" and "made in England" stamped on them.

Cheers

Gidon

 

[johnjin]

Hi Wizer
You seem to be getting plenty of advice so I am not sure if you really want any more but I will give you my tuppennce worth anyway.
After many years working with air this is the way I think you should go.
First of all decide which system you want to use. PCL is very common and available from anywhere. The thread in all your tools will almost certainly be 1/4 BSP (british standard pipe thread) So buy male parts for the quick release to fit in the tool. Never put the female end on the tool as it is the female end that cuts off the air. Any extension leads for the air will need a female connector on one end and a male connector on the other. If the connector on the compressor is not the same as the system you decide on then change this for a female connector of your chosen system. If you are going to use a lot of air tools then an inline oiler is useful as the compressed air will have water in it. This will stop the tools from rusting inside. Else just a drop or two of 3 in 1 oil or something similar in the tool air inlet when you finish using the tool and then connect again for a second to give a quick blast of air through the tool. Do not use the coil type airlines as they will drive you crazy untangling them all the time. It is a good idea to plumb 15m/m copper pipe around the workshop to give you multiple connection points much like electric sockets.
Well thats about all I think of so if you have any questions just ask.

Best of luck and a Happy New Year

John

 

[Vormulac]

I've been on the receiving end of this manner of confusion too; started with a compressor and 'kit' from B&Q, added a longer, non-springy hose and a number or different air tools off ebay and none of them have the same connectors. Ordered two different sets of adapters, none of them allow me to use any of the new kit either! Some are tantalisingly close to fitting, but either *just* don't fit or leak when they are connected. I have very annoyingly been restricted to using just original kit that came with the compressor! :evil:

 

[wizer]

hmm well

I drove down to Axminster (Sittingbourne Branch) today. The main aim was to exchange an airline extension reel that I'd been bought two of for xmas. I'm a bit annoyed to learn that Axminster refuse to exchange without refunding to the card it was bought on then charging it again with the exchanged goods. I'd rather not bother the person who bought the present so it'll end up on a shelf collecting dust forever.

While I was there I asked about the correct fittings for the compressor. I felt like I was a pain in the arse to the salesman and although he seemed to know what he was talking about, it was all such an effort to help me. Anyway, he sold me the bits and I returned a bit bemused with the whole thing.

I have another compressor related question, but will start a new thread as it doesn't relate to the fittings....

 

[OllyK]

I'd rather not bother the person who bought the present so it'll end up on a shelf collecting dust forever.

Stick it on eBAY