Who knows about air-tools?

[Vormulac]

Hello folks,

I could do with a little assistance on air-tools. I have a small compressor kit from B&Q that came with all the usual gubbins such as nailgun, spraygun, tyre-inflator etc, all generic stuff. A while ago I acquired a long length of airhose to replace the horrid springy hose thing that came with the kit, the one that endevours to remove the nailgun from within my reach via one of my eyeballs everytime I try to use it. The problem was that the new hose had a female screw fitting at both ends, whereas the existing hose had those pushfit/pull-collar-to-eject type fittings, so I couldn't fit it.
I have just bought a few odds and ends for use with the compressor, including a set of new adaptors and collars and so-on, but I assumed the push-fit connectors were a standard size and it seems this is not the case. The adaptors from the new set screw into the airhose I bought, but none of the existing accessories such as the nailgun will fit the new push-fit connectors, they are fractionally too big.
I guess what I'm really asking is can anyone who knows airtools really well give me an idea of what sizes are commonly in use for the different connectors, also, is it worth buying one of these in-line filter/oiler thingies?

(oh, and any other hints and tips are welcome - yes I know I need a bigger compressor!)

Cheers!

V.

 

[NickWelford]

Screwfix do adaptors (as do Machine Mart and others). There are often continental tools very reasonably priced in the likes of Aldi but they have a different connector - you can replace the connector, or use an adaptor.

Generally, things like painting need a filter, mechanical things benefit from an oiler for extended use. For minor jobs I just spray some WD 40 into them.

 

[Vormulac]

I see from looking at the Screwfix website that there are different types of connector:
Male and female threaded 'uni' adapter
Converter Uni Male To Pcl Q/R
Male and female threaded PcL

I think I'm beginning to see where my problem lies though, on closer examination, my new airtools and the set of connectors are all 1/4" NPT (ok, one of them says 1/4" NPT and BSP?!?) not BSP (that's yank as opposed to British standard isn't it?), so if the threaded ends are US standard, I guess it follows that the quick release connectors would be US as well? :?

 

[jasonB]

1/4" NPT is a tapered thread with 18tpi wheras 1/2" BSP is a straight thread with 19tpi so that is where your problem is.

Jason

 

[Vormulac]

Well the threaded bits do go together, albeit not perfectly 1/4" NPT vs 1/4" BSP I suppose, but it's the quick release pieces that are really causing the headache - they are tantalisingly close to fitting, but the male connectors on the tools that came with the compressor (and are therefore presumably some British standard - 'uni' or 'PcL'?) are just too big to fit in the female quick release connectors that came with the new set (presumably a US standard).
Can you get NPT to BSP adaptors?

 

[jasonB]

Have you tried unscrewing the pushfit connector from the tool, all mine come off to leave a 1/2" female thread.

Jason

 

[Vormulac]

I did try to unscrew the male quick release connector from the air blower that came with the compressor, in order to see if I could fit one of the new connectors, but I couldn't get it to unscrew.

I need some way to identify the two different types of quick release connectors I've got so I can start to think about what bits I need to procure in order to be able to use all my kit. (although it's kind of academic at the moment really, my two new tools drain the compressor in just a few seconds, so I won't be using them much until I get a bigger one!)

 

[Scrit]

The big problem is that there are many, many "standard" quick connectors. In the UK PCL became the standard in the car trade and so is the one you'll see most here (although almost nmowhere else in my limited experience). Have you tried looking up "Air Compressors" in Yellow Pages and taking the errant bits to a proper compressor specialist? They'll identify your fittings for you and probably be able to offer a solution. What I would suggest is that once you've found a fitting you like/can get hold of readily, that you BIN the non-fitting stuff and stick to a single standard.

If you need help identifying the fitting, may I suggest that you either post a photo here or take a look at the Flowtech On-Line catalogue (login as Guest) under Quick Connect Couplings. If you find a coupling that looks correct, post the Rectus (Flowtech's own name) range number and I'll look-up the equivalent in the "real world", e.g. Rectus series 19KA is compatible with PCL Standard Series, Rectus series series 23KE is compatible with ISO 6150, etc. Unfortunately Flowtech won't deal with non-trade, non-account customers directly, but if you ring them up they will tell you where their nearest retail redistributor is.

If it helps my B&Q compressor came with fittings which are very close to the Cejn 310 (Rectus 23KA/24KA) fitting in shape and will work with them.....

Regards

Scrit

 

[Hitch]

When i get any air tools, i fit a PCL qmale quick release straight away, Never had any trouble with unusual threads.
Loose the springy hose rubbish they supply, fit a female quick release straight onto the regulator outlet. Then just get some air line and make up hose(s) as required.

I think the BnQ compressors are supplied wit a UNI couplings. Fairly short and stubby, where as the pcl one a almost twice as long.