*****Warning----This is not a thread to discuss any type of metal lines for use with an air compressor, so please refrain from bringing that subject up on this thread. Thank you for your cooperation.******


Now with that being said, I sadly report that I have buggered up the female connector threads on my Craftsman 3/8" by 50 foot black rubber compressor hose. I could just kick myself for not being more careful. I was so ticked off an frustrated when I did it. It was cold and windy and my hands were a little numb as I tried to replace a screw on fitting but it got cross threaded. I tried to fix the threads last night but ended up not getting any further and cursing at the hose connector and teaching it a lesson by hitting it with my socket wrench until one of us got tired; I got tired and quit before the hose did.

So now, I've calmed down and come to the realization that I must either replace the good working hose or just the connector. (I wish it was covered under the Craftsman lifetime gaurantee. Oh well. ) Sears did not have the correct size hose end connectors. In fact they only had a kit that used hose clamps. Now on low pressure stuff, like garden hoses, I have no problem using hose clamps. But when I'm working with my 120psi compressor, air tools, and sandblaster, I'm a little weary on using hose clamps. Somebody please tell me that I'm just being paranoid and that the hose clamps are more than sufficient?? Has anybody else here tried replacing the compressor hose ends? I wonder if I can take my hose to a pneumatic hose supply maker locally to have new connectors permanently pressed on? I wonder if I can just purchase a set of crimp on connectors instead of the hose clamp style? So many questions....I hope somebody can shed some light on this for me. On another note, why do they use soft brass fittings on these hoses? Arrrghhhhhh.

 

You can take your hose in and have new ends pressed on, you can repair with barbed fittings and hose clamps (I've a few hose repairs that have been on for 15+ years w/175PSI w/o issue), you can buy a new hose from Sears, you can buy a non sears hose without inverted flare fitting and change the fittng coming out of your regulator on the compressor...many options, all will work

 

I bought a hose crimper and pack of ferrules, along with 200' of hose to do my business. You slip a ferrule over the hose, slip the barb into the hose, and crimp it with the tool in a vise. Probably too expensive for home use, though. Where I work now, we use crimp on bands that have two 'ears' formed in them. You can close them with any kind of side cutters. I don't know where to get them off hand. I've clamped on new fittings with a hose clamp, and it's plenty strong, but uncomfortable in your hand.

 

From the "cheap department" - hose clamps with the proper size barb fitting has worked for me, even on construction sites.

But if you are really worried, buy a new hose and send me your old one. I'll take good care of it.

My $.02.....

 

Hose clamps work great, just fit the repaired end to your comp. or..........

A. Cover the hose clamp with several tight wraps of electrical tape to stop snags.

B. Use a couple wraps of 12 ga. copper wire, twisted , folded and soldered.

C. Use a couple wraps of baling/ tie wire twisted, folded, and taped.

D. Take it to a hydraulic/air ho$e repair $hop. (just kiddin'...how much could it be, right? )

 

I'd say the answer is D. It doesn't cost that much, (couple bucks), and the good stores have a large assortment of fittings, gauges and hose - the good stuff cheap. I rarely walk out of the fluid connector store with empty hands. Like good air swivels or vacuum gauges that are the size I want.

Just take it in and ask them to put a new end on. It's a one minute job. That's why they use brass on the hoses, better that than an expensive regulator or multivalve hydraulic unit..

 

Sears does have a hose repair kit, and the kit has a double barb that will repair a broken hose, but also has threaded barbs (one side barb, other side thread) and has a barb fitting with threads on it. Just look where all the fittings are. Comes witht e hose clamps too

 

Thanks all. Yep, I'm leanin' towards just calling the local hose building shops. I'd rather use a permanent crimp on connector than the hose clamps.

FYI, I did stop by Sears but their repair kits are not exact fits for my hose connectors. Apparently the hoses and connectors have changed since I bought mine in 2000. The 1/4" kit looks like the right size hex head, but the inner diameter stem is too skinny. The 3/8" kit looks like the right size inner diameter stem but the hex head and threads are larger than what I've got. The salesman and I were both confounded when we compared all three connectors side by side in the store. Very odd. So my male to male connectors will not fit on the repair kit female threads.

 

If you have a farm store nearby check for a MILTON air fittings display. It should have anything you might need.

 

My repair kit had a two barbed connector along with a compression type fitting plus hose clamps. It has held for years and the hose is wearing out before the connector. Wrapped mine in electric tape after the repair.

 

Just use a hose clamp. Cheap, quick, and done!

 

I look and see if we have any crip fittings for air hose and let you know. We build hydraulic up to 2 inchs 4000psi hose. Iam not far from you in Skiatook.

 

WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!! I took my hose to a local air and fluid hose specialty shop down the road from where I work and it took them less than 5 minutes to replace the hose fitting with a new permanent crimp on connector. And it only cost me $1.30 !!!! Toooooo Cooooool !!!!!