Subject: [Shop-talk] Air couplings not releasing

From: Douglas Shook <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 4 Jul 2025 19:52:11 -0700

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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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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Hi =
guys,</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div=
><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I have been using 3=
/8&quot; Tru-Flate=C2=A0(automotive) quick connects for all the air hoses i=
n my shop for=C2=A0decades.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font=
-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:smal=
l">I have a bunch of old brass female sleeve lock couplings that require yo=
u to move the outer sleeve to connect and disconnect the plug. They are wor=
king fine after decades of use.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"=
font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:=
small">I also have a bunch of newer plated steel Tru-flate ones that are pu=
sh-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=3D"gmail_def=
ault" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" styl=
e=3D"font-size:small">I have purchased all of these from McMaster-Carr, the=
y are genuine Tru-Flate products.=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" s=
tyle=3D"font-size:small">I have tried lubricating them, but it does not see=
m to help.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br>=
</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I also have tr=
ied to find new Tru-Flate connectors without the push-to-connect feature, b=
ut cannot locate them for 1/4&quot; pipe and 3/8&quot; coupling.=C2=A0</div=
><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div clas=
s=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"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=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:sm=
all"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I hav=
e seen some universal sleeve lock couplings that are supposed to work with =
Tru-Flate plugs, but I have not seen them with 1/4&quot; pipe and 3/8&quot;=
 couplings.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br=
></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I am attachin=
g a link from McMaster:</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-siz=
e:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><=
a href=3D"https://www.mcmaster.com/products/couplings/tru-flate-quick-disco=
nnect-hose-couplings-for-air/">https://www.mcmaster.com/products/couplings/=
tru-flate-quick-disconnect-hose-couplings-for-air/</a></div><div class=3D"g=
mail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_defau=
lt" style=3D"font-size:small">Thank you in advance for any help or informat=
ion you may have.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:smal=
l"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Best,</=
div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div c=
lass=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Doug</div><div class=3D"gm=
ail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_defaul=
t" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div></div>

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