Good/best quick connect air couplings

[Gordon Heaton]

Dixon is my go-to for the last15 years. Prior to that it was Milton. Dixon are still made in the US, not sure anymore about Milton.

 

[PeteM]

There are about a dozen quick change pneumatic fitting types (Industrial, the similar V-style, Tru-Flate/automotive, ARO, ISO, Open Flow, JIC, Schrader, Lincoln, Compact, Universal, etc.) Several of them mentioned above.

If you want to sell an accessory that mates with one of these geometries, I'd be inclined to call makers and distributors to see which types have the highest market share. I'd guess "Industrial" and "Universal" but also see some of the others fairly frequently. If you're looking for a top notch maker as a distributor - same idea. Find out the market share, as well as the company's reputation for quality.

 

[gbent]

I use Milton "M" style for the 1/4" stuff, up to twist claw for the big gun.

 

[Garwood]

There are about a dozen quick change pneumatic fitting types (Industrial, the similar V-style, Tru-Flate/automotive, ARO, ISO, Open Flow, JIC, Schrader, Lincoln, Compact, Universal, etc.) Several of them mentioned above.

If you want to sell an accessory that mates with one of these geometries, I'd be inclined to call makers and distributors to see which types have the highest market share. I'd guess "Industrial" and "Universal" but also see some of the others fairly frequently. If you're looking for a top notch maker as a distributor - same idea. Find out the market share, as well as the company's reputation for quality.

It's not about mating with the air connection. It's about attaching to the coupling externally. I want to market an air quick connect in a manner it has never been used.

Therefore the brand people prefer is more important to me than the style of the connector.

Looks like Milton and Parker are on top which makes sense to me. Thanks to all for sharing.

 

[52 Ford]

Around 15 years ago I fitted all my air tools and hoses with PCL quick couplers. They are a bit longer and last forever with a tight seal. But they are getting harder to find locally, as they were always a bit more expensive and the market has become much more price-sensitive. They were common in the UK but in the EU they are rare. The EU uses a DIN standard connector, and some countries use an Italian type. The three types are not compatible. What is the most commonly used coupler for air tools in the USA nowadays?

The most common style fitting that I see is 1/4" Industrial. If I buy an air tool and it includes an air fitting, chances are its a 1/4" Industrial.

Sent using Morse code on - .- .--. .- - .- .-.. -.-

 

[country_boy]

It's not about mating with the air connection. It's about attaching to the coupling externally. I want to market an air quick connect in a manner it has never been used.

Therefore the brand people prefer is more important to me than the style of the connector.

Looks like Milton and Parker are on top which makes sense to me. Thanks to all for sharing.

I use what ever McMaster is stocking in industrial interchange. Usually stick with the pull to connect. I suspect most people use whatever their supplier stocks. I count on MMC to filter out Harbor Freight crap. The female couplings are at least made in the US

 

[Scottl]

To clarify, I mean like these: Object moved

Not the push to connect tube fittings, but fittings for air tools.

Those are the Milton style and seem to be the most common. There are even swivel versions for tools that need the extra versatility.

I use a LOT of these. I've even put a female coupler on the front of a blow gun so I can attach different OD and length tubing for blowing out spaces such as moonroof drains, etc.

 

[Brett W]

CEJN are the ones I use and they last longer than any other fittings I have seen. They make a bunch of different styles ad sizes. Quick couplings for compressed air | CEJN

I have some that are more than 30 years old now and still leak free.

Was introduced to Prevost awhile back. They are what all the NASCAR shops use.
PREVOST - the specialist in compressed air distribution and treatment - Prevost

Those are pretty pimp.

 

[Winterfalke]

All the Milton branded couplers we have had have been pretty poor quality. I've been buying the Tru-Flate automotive style from Mcmaster and been reasonably happy with them. At work we've been getting Daisen Coupling fittings out of Japan, and they have been very nice to use. I have heard good things about Prevost, and I have a CEJN blowgun that I'm really happy with.

I will say, in my experience, that the cheap I/M style couplers that claim to be interchangable with both styles will pretty much always leak with either. Pick one and stick with it for the best results.

 

[rons]

The style for "Automotive" is beefy at the tip. The "Industrial" is not. The only reason is that a beefy tip is needed because the guy under the car lift keeps dropping
the hose on the concrete. The Industrial guy doesn't have such greasy paws, and the floor probably has a few rubber mats to keep the tip from damage.

High-Flow fitting are what I would look at. Or make my own. Which I do.

 

[Scruffy887]

CEJN are the ones I use and they last longer than any other fittings I have seen. They make a bunch of different styles ad sizes. Quick couplings for compressed air | CEJN

I have some that are more than 30 years old now and still leak free.

Was introduced to Prevost awhile back. They are what all the NASCAR shops use.
PREVOST - the specialist in compressed air distribution and treatment - Prevost

Those are pretty pimp.

CEJN (Sain) is what I use. Just shove them in, no need to pull the foreskin back.

 

[henrya]

CEJN are the ones I use and they last longer than any other fittings I have seen. They make a bunch of different styles ad sizes. Quick couplings for compressed air | CEJN

I have some that are more than 30 years old now and still leak free.

Was introduced to Prevost awhile back. They are what all the NASCAR shops use.
PREVOST - the specialist in compressed air distribution and treatment - Prevost

Those are pretty pimp.

Prevost looks really nice. I may try some.

 

[ibmadmax]

Prevost looks really nice. I may try some.

Prevost Euro High Flow for the win!

 

[steve45]

Very good fittings, but pricey!

Quick Connects | Valves | Swagelok

Here's Milton's version of the Staubli safety style fittings....

Milton S-99705 1/4" NPT M-Style Female Push Button Safety Coupler | JB Tools

I like Milton the best for price/quality and availability.....they also seem to have a better design than some of the other manufactures, the connections take very little effort compared to others!

Kevin

I bought some of those Milton Push Button Safety Couplers years ago after one of our shop guys made the mistake of pulling an air hose across the floor. The coupler got caught on something, disconnected, and the hose hit him in the eye.

While the push button design sounds good, the Milton couplers SUCK! I can't remember if they wouldn't lock together or wouldn't come apart, but they were miserable to use. I returned all of them within a week.