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Re: [Shop-talk] Air couplings not releasing

To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Air couplings not releasing
From: Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net> R+ncAoRt/rcPWussmoDFE81Zi7Cwx6ZR00mgqi1UD1ineB5HYe0JlXjNK7xMTvhhgGc69h74DX9CtiYJGbwdklfCJPXC6GGRiXQ=
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2025 06:28:41 -0700
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: shop-talk@autox.team.net
References: <CAG1pxgYn2b_wamiTiJtsUc-pLvEzKRanviYD4QRATbXmjNS+Fg@mail.gmail.com>
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I think these issues are universal. I have a bunch of these in 1/4" and 
3/8" pipe size; most are brass from Harbor Freight--automotive style are 
getting harder to find--but some are steel from various brands and all 
do the same thing to some extent. I think it's partly due to wear but 
might be due to just plain shitty manufacturing and specs. If I 
remember, I try to make/break connections before I turn the air from the 
compressor on; it's easier. Maybe the 'industrial' type work better?

FWIW, I have a couple tractors with similar type of quick connects for 
hydraulic lines, except larger pipe size and are designed to break away 
if you start moving before disconnecting. I bought some cheap 
sockets--made in you-know-where--and one of them is now failing to hold 
connection (though the lines are shot and I need to try new before I 
totally blame the connector).

Bob

On 7/4/2025 7:52 PM, Douglas Shook wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I have been using 3/8" Tru-Flate (automotive) quick connects for all 
> the air hoses in my shop for decades.
>
> I have a bunch of old brass female sleeve lock couplings that require 
> you to move the outer sleeve to connect and disconnect the plug. They 
> are working fine after decades of use.
>
> I also have a bunch of newer plated steel Tru-flate ones that are 
> push-to-connect that are supposed to be more convenient, but they are 
> getting increasingly difficult to disconnect. I have one that I have 
> to remove all air pressure before it will release the plug.
>
> I have purchased all of these from McMaster-Carr, they are genuine 
> Tru-Flate products.
> I have tried lubricating them, but it does not seem to help.
>
> I also have tried to find new Tru-Flate connectors without the 
> push-to-connect feature, but cannot locate them for 1/4" pipe and 3/8" 
> coupling.
>
> Do any of you have experience with this problem? It is quite annoying 
> when you want to change a tool, as you might imagine.
>
> I have seen some universal sleeve lock couplings that are supposed to 
> work with Tru-Flate plugs, but I have not seen them with 1/4" pipe and 
> 3/8" couplings.
>
> I am attaching a link from McMaster:
>
> https://www.mcmaster.com/products/couplings/tru-flate-quick-disconnect-hose-couplings-for-air/
>
> Thank you in advance for any help or information you may have.
>
> Best,
>
> Doug
>
>
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  <body>
    I think these issues are universal. I have a bunch of these in 1/4"
    and 3/8" pipe size; most are brass from Harbor Freight--automotive
    style are getting harder to find--but some are steel from various
    brands and all do the same thing to some extent. I think it's partly
    due to wear but might be due to just plain shitty manufacturing and
    specs. If I remember, I try to make/break connections before I turn
    the air from the compressor on; it's easier. Maybe the 'industrial'
    type work better?<br>
    <br>
    FWIW, I have a couple tractors with similar type of quick connects
    for hydraulic lines, except larger pipe size and are designed to
    break away if you start moving before disconnecting. I bought some
    cheap sockets--made in you-know-where--and one of them is now
    failing to hold connection (though the lines are shot and I need to
    try new before I totally blame the connector).<br>
    <br>
    Bob<br>
    <br>
    <div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 7/4/2025 7:52 PM, Douglas Shook
      wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CAG1pxgYn2b_wamiTiJtsUc-pLvEzKRanviYD4QRATbXmjNS+Fg@mail.gmail.com">
      <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
      <div dir="ltr">
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Hi guys,</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have been
          using 3/8" Tru-Flate (automotive) quick connects for all the
          air hoses in my shop for decades.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have a
          bunch of old brass female sleeve lock couplings that require
          you to move the outer sleeve to connect and disconnect the
          plug. They are working fine after decades of use.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I also have a
          bunch of newer plated steel Tru-flate ones that are
          push-to-connect that are supposed to be more convenient, but
          they are getting increasingly difficult to disconnect. I have
          one that I have to remove all air pressure before it will
          release the plug.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have
          purchased all of these from McMaster-Carr, they are genuine
          Tru-Flate products. </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have tried
          lubricating them, but it does not seem to help.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I also have
          tried to find new Tru-Flate connectors without the
          push-to-connect feature, but cannot locate them for 1/4" pipe
          and 3/8" coupling. </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Do any of you
          have experience with this problem? It is quite annoying when
          you want to change a tool, as you might imagine.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I have seen
          some universal sleeve lock couplings that are supposed to work
          with Tru-Flate plugs, but I have not seen them with 1/4" pipe
          and 3/8" couplings.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I am
          attaching a link from McMaster:</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><a
href="https://www.mcmaster.com/products/couplings/tru-flate-quick-disconnect-hose-couplings-for-air/";
            moz-do-not-send="true" 
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.mcmaster.com/products/couplings/tru-flate-quick-disconnect-hose-couplings-for-air/</a></div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Thank you in
          advance for any help or information you may have.</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Best,</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Doug</div>
        <div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br>
        </div>
        <br>
      </div>
    </blockquote>
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