Beware of Cheap Air Quick Connects
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
From: Green Oak, MI
Beware of Cheap Air Quick Connects I used some of the cheap 'soft metal' quick connects that came with my air ratchet.
I was trying to angle it in right underneath the car, so the hose is right next to my face. One small little shove to the side and the I started to loosen the bolt when soft metal quick connect(male end) snapped!
The one portion was left in the female end which was a higher quality one I had bought, so the thing is blowing air like bad still, right in my eye. The ratchet ended up somewhere else underneath the car.
It blew air for about 8 seconds and I got out from under the car and it then shot the remaining piece across the garage and sealed itself again.
120psi in the eye doesn't feel too good and its a good thing the piece didn't come out at the same time it broke.
Going to buy some good ones today and replace all the cheap ones that came with the tools.
I was trying to angle it in right underneath the car, so the hose is right next to my face. One small little shove to the side and the I started to loosen the bolt when soft metal quick connect(male end) snapped!
The one portion was left in the female end which was a higher quality one I had bought, so the thing is blowing air like bad still, right in my eye. The ratchet ended up somewhere else underneath the car.
It blew air for about 8 seconds and I got out from under the car and it then shot the remaining piece across the garage and sealed itself again.
120psi in the eye doesn't feel too good and its a good thing the piece didn't come out at the same time it broke.
Going to buy some good ones today and replace all the cheap ones that came with the tools.
wow, thats scary man. good to know for my buddies who buy the cheaper quality stuff to save on the pocket. i noticed too (not that its the case here) you want to stick with the same brand when you decide to do the quick connects. i had some craftsman and some Campbell Hausfeld connectors because thats all home depot had and if they arent 100% perfectly in that connecter, they leak air which just drives me nuts personally.
sorry to hear you almost lost an eye. hope it doesnt happen again! replace them all before something bad happens! or wear *shudder* saftey goggles hahaha.
sorry to hear you almost lost an eye. hope it doesnt happen again! replace them all before something bad happens! or wear *shudder* saftey goggles hahaha.
Originally Posted by robertbartsch
I meant to say "that blows"...
So the brass fitting are crap; should I use only steel connectors?
So the brass fitting are crap; should I use only steel connectors?
Trending Topics
honestly, this comes down to you get what you pay for. ive never heard of the napa, craftsman, or snapon, mac etc ones breaking. its just the cheap ones that come with the cheaper air tools. all the air tools i have ever bought do not come with quick connects. they require you to purchase your own afterwards.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo This does suprize me. Where do you expect a garage mechanic to buy such items robert? Find a snap on tool tuck and get em? I have had no problems nor has anyone i know with these quick connects.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
No problems for me either. However, I'm changing all my air connections from brass to steel.
I don't think it matters that these were originally purchased from Sears - if that is what you are beefing about....
I don't think it matters that these were originally purchased from Sears - if that is what you are beefing about....
im not beefing about anything, im just curious that you said youre not suprized, and what you suggest people do as a encore to these "piece of crap" (not quoting anyone, just usin em). this forum is not to bash em but suggest alternatives if thoes arent good solutions.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
I think you should sue for monetary damages including mental anquish!
Start with the manufacturor, distributor, sales outlet, sales clerk, packaging company, metal fabricator, advertising agent, air compressor manufacturor, air hose manufacturor, your automobile customer who owns the car that you were fixing at the time and the delievery company.
If this does not result in satisfaction, sue your own attorney for negligence because you have a great case.
Start with the manufacturor, distributor, sales outlet, sales clerk, packaging company, metal fabricator, advertising agent, air compressor manufacturor, air hose manufacturor, your automobile customer who owns the car that you were fixing at the time and the delievery company.
If this does not result in satisfaction, sue your own attorney for negligence because you have a great case.
Originally Posted by NoOne
These were Craftsman quick connects and a Craftsman air ratchet.
I bought some new ones today you can for sure feel the difference in the hardness of the metal.
I bought some new ones today you can for sure feel the difference in the hardness of the metal.
i have had craftsman connectors for 4-5 years with no problems.
maybe i'm lucky?