[Shop-talk] Air couplings not releasing

[Bob Spidell]

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
>
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk/attachments/20250705/c39aa5f1/attachment-0001.htm>