compressed air in the workshop.

I am finding all the various coupling adapters , hose types and sizes confusing.

I have a compressor and and a few tools - die grinder etc. I don't have any tools that need a high throughput.

Can anyone tell me the most commonly used couplings and hose for a small workshop ?.

If you are worried, the best thing to do is to convert to one that machine mart sell.

cheap and cheerful and common

Axminster Tools do a good range of couplings, male, female, hose ends, etc, plus sell hoses complete or by the meter. I got my stuff from them and have been pleased. Plus they sell on-line if an outlet is not near to you.

No connection other than satisfied customer of course!

Chris

Edited By ChrisH on 26/01/2014 18:04:00

Must agree with RJW, PCL fittings are the best....

buy cheap buy twice comes to mind.....

As already mentioned PCL couplings are (certainly for me) the better choice, why not start off with a flexy (coil) hose attached to your compressor with a female PCL on the end then with a few male tails to go on your tools you can use your air power all around your shop. Lots of cheap fittings and hoses available not just on ebay I use these people because there local but you may have someone similar close to you.

+1 For PCL.

I have recently replaced all my fittings and moved onto PCL, not a cheap operation as I had a lot to do but I was on the older Schrader fittings and these are so expensive to replace now it's unreal.

A Schrader repair fit is nearly double what new PCL fittings are.

It was OK in the early days as most of my fittings came from Plessy via the local scrap man as they were pulling buildings down but now i have run out of spares it was time to change.

There are some PCL type interchangeable fittings on Ebay that are worth keeping clear of, they work but you need 3 hand to change a tool. You have to physically pull the sleeve back before the male part will go in and that takes two hands to pull the sleeve back and the third hand to push the male fitting in.

The genuine ones allow you to just puch the male in and the sleeve moves with it.

PCL for me too. NOT copies.

They will last forever.