[Shop-talk] air fttings

[David Scheidt]

On Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 12:09 PM, Mullen, Tim <Tim.Mullen at ngc.com> wrote:
> Matt wrote:
>>
>> I am also thinking about converting my 1/4" fittings to 3/8".
>> I currently have a mix and it can be frustrating getting things
>> matched up so I am looking to reduce one variable...
>
> It's always good to pick one standard and stick with it.
>
> The difference between air flow for 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch fittings is
> very, very small.  If you have a lot of 1/4 inch fittings, I'd consider
> changing the 3/8 fittings so save money.
>
> I went pondered this change some time back.  That's when I found a nice
> chart that showed the pressure/flow loss for the different fittings.  At
> typical compressor values, it isn't much difference - using a 10 foot
> shorter hose would probably make a bigger difference in flow.  Along
> those lines, a larger diameter air hose make much more difference than
> the diameter of the fittings at the ends of the hose.
>
> I decided to just go with the normal 1/4 fittings, simply because they
> are the most common and easiest to find.

Another thing to consider is that 3/8 fittings aren't supposed be
undone under pressure.



-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com