How to Disconnect Quick-Disconnect Fittings

Air tools use a quick-disconnect fitting on the end of an air compressor hose.

Quick-disconnect fittings have a female portion on the material supply line with a check ball inside. When there are no tools or additional lines connected to it, the check ball fills the line opening to contain its materials of air, water or gases inside the line without spillage. The check ball is held in place by air, gas or fluid pressure. Inserting the male end of a tool or additional hose into the female end locks it in place and allows flow of material to the tool or hose. The various types of couplers disconnect differently depending on their type.

Instructions

1. Place one hand on each side of the fitting junction.

2. Pull back the brass female sleeve of a push-on or sleeve quick disconnect. This action releases the male half from the fitting. Pull the male half out of the female half of the connector. These types of couplers have a thick brass ring on the female end of the junction.

3. Twist your left hand forward and your right hand backward at the same time while pulling apart to disconnect a twist-on or bayonet quick-disconnect fitting. These types of quick disconnects have a ring that is the same size on the male and female ends of the junction and a needlepoint in each side of the connection.

4. Turn a threaded quick disconnect in a counterclockwise direction on the tool or component end to release it from the supply line. This type of quick disconnect has a thin ring on the female side and a wide ring on the male side to grip for unscrewing.

Tips & Warnings

• Quick disconnects allow changing tools without the need to decompress the line materials and recompress them for use.

References

• Global Spec: Quick Couplers