Switching between tools on an air compressor

Switching between tools on an air compressor

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zaanztepS

Original Poster:

28 posts

44 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Hello,

I'm quite new to the air compressor world, i only have an air hammer currently. I'm about to buy myself an air ratchet and an air impact wrench and i just thought, what do i do if i want to switch tools while using the compressor? My compressor only has one output (unless i was to connect a hose directly to the tank) and one hose. It has one of those quick connectors connected to the compressor and one on the tools, so from my understanding as soon as a tool was disconnected the valve should seal and no air should be rushing out.

I've read that you should never undo the hose from a tool while it's pressurised... so does that mean every time i want to switch from the impact to the ratchet i have to turn the compressor off and depressurise it before i can switch?

I dunno if it's the search terms i'm using but I can't seem to find an answer to this online.

Cheers

boyse7en

6,793 posts

167 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Maybe I haven't been doing it right, but I've been unclipping and swapping tools while the tank is pressurised for about 20 years without issue.

Just make sure that the quick connector click into position properly when you fit the new tool.

paintman

7,712 posts

192 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Not an issue disconnecting the tool from the airline if the connector is working properly. Been doing that since the 1970s!

If you are disconnecting a length of pressurised hose from the compressor then keep a firm grip of the compressor end of the hose or the pressure in the hose will act as jet propulsion. Doesn't last long but best be aware of it. You might want to try it & see what happens.

You could consider fitting a shutoff of some sort at the compressor that that end of the hose can connect to & then you can close the valve & operate the tool to dissipate the pressure in the hose.
I've got one similar to this (note the pic is just to give you an idea, you'd need to sort out what threads you'd need): www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154408302129

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 8th November 14:10

AdeTuono

7,276 posts

229 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
Depending on CFM required, something like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compressor-Fitting-Couple...

zaanztepS

Original Poster:

28 posts

44 months

Wednesday 8th November 2023
quotequote all
boyse7en said:
Maybe I haven't been doing it right, but I've been unclipping and swapping tools while the tank is pressurised for about 20 years without issue.

Just make sure that the quick connector click into position properly when you fit the new tool.
paintman said:
Not an issue disconnecting the tool from the airline if the connector is working properly. Been doing that since the 1970s!

If you are disconnecting a length of pressurised hose from the compressor then keep a firm grip of the compressor end of the hose or the pressure in the hose will act as jet propulsion. Doesn't last long but best be aware of it. You might want to try it & see what happens.

You could consider fitting a shutoff of some sort at the compressor that that end of the hose can connect to & then you can close the valve & operate the tool to dissipate the pressure in the hose.
I've got one similar to this (note the pic is just to give you an idea, you'd need to sort out what threads you'd need): www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154408302129

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 8th November 14:10
That's good to know, i'll just make sure i keep a firm grip of the hose and might get one of those shut off valves as well just to be safe. Cheers

AdeTuono said:
Depending on CFM required, something like this...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Compressor-Fitting-Couple...
Yeah i've got similar fittings to this but mine are the PCL XF ones.