Compressed Air ConnectorsCompressed air connectors; A compressed air connector is part of the compressed air fitting "tag team", couplers & connectors. For us DIY folks, and for a lot of industrial plants that use compressed air, one of the most common fittings we will use is the connector. The purpose of the connector is to mate with a coupler on an air supply to allow compressed air to flow to our air tools or air components. Connectors are relatively inexpensive devices costing a dollar or two at most. For quick connection of your air tools, you will want to thread a connector into the supply port of every air tool you've got.
A typical connector is shown in the photo right. An NPT male thread is on the left end. The right end (in this photo at least) is the manufacturer specific coupler configuration. The photo below depicts common connector configurations. Item 1 in the photo is a connector with a male NPT thread. After coating the male
As the male NPT threaded connector is the most popular method of connecting an air tool to a compressed air supply, you will want to have a good supply of these on hand. Item 2 shows the same connector with a female NPT thread, allowing this connector to be turned onto a male thread. Item 3 (photo above) is the same connector again, but this one comes with a barbed connector. The barbed connector is used by inserting it into the I.D. of an air hose, and then by a gear clamp placed on the outside of the hose over the barb inside the hose. When tightened, the gear clamp will exert force around the entire outside of the hose, compressing the hose wall against the barbs, and making a seal. All three of the connectors left sides are industry standards. Two have standard NPT threads, and item 3 has a standard barb, sized by it’s O.D. For me, just a few of items 2 and 3 are enough for my tool kit. Top
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