Air Fittings

When you are using air tools, you will require various types of air fittings to make the tools work. It is important to have the right air fittings on your pneumatic tools!

As an example, loose fittings mean that the proper amount of compressed air necessary to power the tool will not be delivered because it is leaking out at the fittings instead of being directed to the tool. So, you should always be sure to choose the correct air fittings and to check these fittings often to ensure that they are all in good working order.

There are two types of standards observed in air fittings:

Australian and British Standards - As a general rule, these standards cover mild steel and cast iron fittings for low to moderate pressures, for either light industrial or commercial applications.

American Standards - Usually covers alloy and carbon steel fittings suitable for higher temperatures and pressures, typically used in the oil, gas, heavy processing and chemical industries.

It is important to note that fittings of Australian/British standards or American standards will have dimensional compatibility with other threaded fittings of the same standards. For example, you could replace one manufacturer's fitting with anothers. If they are the same size, either will fit the same threaded hole in your air cylinder, actuator, air tool handle, valve or whatever the application may be.

Fitting Sizes

Air fittings sizing can be more than a little confusing. For example, a one-quarter inch fitting might actually measure closer to one-half inch in diameter.

When it comes to sizing the holes for air fittings, here is how you determine the size:

In order to determine the correct size of a threaded air port, be it in an air tool handle, an air cylinder, a valve or the female thread in any compressed air component, first measure the diameter of the hole in inches. Then compare the result to the fractional sizes shown on the various air fittings.

Which Fitting to Buy?

How do you determine which fitting to buy and use and exactly where to use it?

You will have to take these steps to know which air fittings to buy.

• Identify the port size or fitting thread size into which the male thread is screwed
• Determine the size of the tube or hose that you want to attach to the fitting
• Identify the Style of the air fitting - whether it is a straight, elbow, Tee , run Tee or other.
• See which way the hose or tube is going to be connected to the fitting

Air fittings are essential to using air tools and you will find everything you need on these pages!