Mini sized pneumatic quick connects?

javand

javand

Joined
Oct 17, 2010
Messages
2,424
Hey guys, figure someone here will have some advice; I'm looking for some smaller sized, pneumatic couplers/quick connect type fittings, for my workbench, and I'm unsure what the options are.

I've got 3/8" and 1/2" standard type quick connects all around the shop, and at my bench I've got a manifold with a couple of 3/8" standard style connectors, and a couple of push-to-connect connectors for .170" (or whatever is standard) OD hose, with plugs in them.

I use a fair number of small tools, pencil grinder, air nozzles, die grinder, etc right there, and I'm trying to make the setup more convenient.

Problem is, the larger 3/8" style are big, and often very heavy on the end of the small OD hoses on say, a pencil grinder, and kind of cumbersome to attach, especially if I attach 3/8" hose to anything to get some length for one side of the bench or another.

The small tubing with the push-to-connects is great, but you have to remove a plug, push in the tubing, and keep track of the plug without losing it, because they don't seal by themselves.


I'm wondering if any of you that use more of these things than I do, are aware of any micro/mini quick connect system that works well either with the small nylon tubing, or 1/4" hose, but preferably has easy options for connecting to 3/8" npt threaded connectors or bases on most pneumatic tools?


Or are there any push-to-connect type fittings that are sealed without something seated in them?


Thanks, I'm doing research online now, but there's so many different types of pneumatic parts and fittings, and seemingly variable nomenclature for all of it, it's difficult to find anything via google.

I have found some "mini" sized quick connects similar to the larger ones, but I'm uncertain which are actually better, as there's not much info on the few different types offered by this or that company.


Cheers!
 
I guess one option is to switch to push-to-connect cut-offs.. That may be a good option.
 
javand said:
Hey guys, figure someone here will have some advice; I'm looking for some smaller sized, pneumatic couplers/quick connect type fittings, for my workbench, and I'm unsure what the options are.

I've got 3/8" and 1/2" standard type quick connects all around the shop, and at my bench I've got a manifold with a couple of 3/8" standard style connectors, and a couple of push-to-connect connectors for .170" (or whatever is standard) OD hose, with plugs in them.

I use a fair number of small tools, pencil grinder, air nozzles, die grinder, etc right there, and I'm trying to make the setup more convenient.

Problem is, the larger 3/8" style are big, and often very heavy on the end of the small OD hoses on say, a pencil grinder, and kind of cumbersome to attach, especially if I attach 3/8" hose to anything to get some length for one side of the bench or another.

The small tubing with the push-to-connects is great, but you have to remove a plug, push in the tubing, and keep track of the plug without losing it, because they don't seal by themselves.


I'm wondering if any of you that use more of these things than I do, are aware of any micro/mini quick connect system that works well either with the small nylon tubing, or 1/4" hose, but preferably has easy options for connecting to 3/8" npt threaded connectors or bases on most pneumatic tools?


Or are there any push-to-connect type fittings that are sealed without something seated in them?


Thanks, I'm doing research online now, but there's so many different types of pneumatic parts and fittings, and seemingly variable nomenclature for all of it, it's difficult to find anything via google.

I have found some "mini" sized quick connects similar to the larger ones, but I'm uncertain which are actually better, as there's not much info on the few different types offered by this or that company.


Cheers!
Click to expand...

Look on ebay for paintball quick connects. You can get them as small as 1/8" NPT.
 
times like this McMaster Carr is useful, you can narrow down to specific items on their search online
 
HSC /// said:
times like this McMaster Carr is useful, you can narrow down to specific items on their search online
Click to expand...

Yeah, McMaster has one type listed for "compact" but unfortunately they just have drawings with certain dimensions listed. I'm looking more for a recommendation on some type that people use and feel are super compact.

I've found dozens of proprietary types, of various sizes and configs. I assumed with would be something many others had figured out before me.


My biggest concern with all of them, is fiddle factor, it's kind of cumbersome to reach over the bench covered in delicate projects, and tools, and one handedly slide the retaining collar of the standard type quick connects, and push the male end of the tool in. I like the push-button type quick connects, that just push in, and press the button once to release, but I haven't seen any small sized ones yet.

I'm inclined to go the "push to connect" with cutoff route, because that's actually convenient for leaving tools connected, without them being pressurized, and probably a cheap option, although there's still the "fiddle factor" when you go to release the hose, which seem to get stuck easily and require two hands to remove sometimes.

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions thus far. If anybody else has any, especially ones they have experience with, I'm all ears.
 
Actually, turns out they do have push-to-connect tubing fittings with auto-shutoff. Thanks all!
 
Parker Hannifin has them. You probably want them valved in the female half. You screw the male half in the tool and when you disconnect it the air in the tool exhausts. The female half, with a valve, is connected to the compressor end so when the air is disconnected the valve closes. If you need them, you can get valves in both halves.
 
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