[Shop-talk] Air couplings not releasing

[Douglas Shook]

Thank you, Bob.

For these I believe the problem may have been the combination of tight
tolerances and oxidation on the plugs. After putting the plugs on the wire
wheel and "shining them up" they seem to be working OK again (I also had
lubed the sockets previously but that did not seem to make a difference).
We will see if the "solution" lasts for a while.

At least now I can disconnect them and change tools without blowing all of
the pressure out of the lines first, which is a great improvement to say
the least. ;-)

On Sat, Jul 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:

> 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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