Compressed Air Couplers; what they are for and how to buy them.

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Compressed Air Couplers

Compressed air couplers;

This is page 2 about compressed air couplers. Here is page one.

We ended page one with the question, "How do you side load a coupler/connector?".

It's very easy to do.

If you are using an air drill or grinder or air nailer or any air tool that has its connector plugged into a coupler on the air hose it is almost impossible not to impart a sideways motion to the connection as you are using the tool.

When that occurs, the coupler/connector often leaks.

Quality Pays

If you buy good quality couplers and connectors, they are more reliable, easier to insert and remove, generally do not leak and some even offer additional functions such as an integral valve to vent pressure before disconnecting the coupler.

For most DIY users however (including myself) the low cost of our couplers and connectors offset the annoyance of periodic leaks and connection foibles.

Inserting the Connector Into The Coupler

There is always a lot of grunting and hissing occurring when one tries to insert a connector into a coupler.

The grunting is from the person who is trying to hold the coupler, slide the knurled ring back towards the hose with the same hand, and at the same time trying to insert the connector into the coupler with the other hand.

Escaping compressed air provides the hissing, while we grunt, trying to get the darned things to connect. It seems that we never have enough hands.

Item 1 (photo above) is the coupler. You hold the coupler and hose in one hand, and pull back on the sleeve (the knurled part) of the coupler with the fingers of that same hand, while at the same time, you push the connector (item 2) into the coupler with the other hand.6

When the connector is inserted / seated all the way, you release the knurled ring on the coupler (not the coupler itself, just the ring) which is spring loaded, and it snaps forward. You then release the coupler and connector, and hope that the connector is actually in place.

Otherwise it pops out, with a lot of hissing, and you try it again.

Been there and done that!

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