Quick gas connectors

[Shedendman]

Can you nice chaps recommend me some decent quick gas(pref brass) connectors
What i'd like is something fixed to the reg outlet(female) then the male onto the hose with say 8mm nipples
Its so i can swop bottles from pure argon to the argon mix when needed,fedup with jubilee clips etc,other end of the hose to the machine are all 8mm nipples so a permanent fix there
Cheers

 

[Agroshield]

The most common form for them is Rectus 21.

They are used in window cleaning poles so there is now a good supply of them. You can go for genuine Rectus ones, which are costly or clones. Standard male and female with hosetail are plentiful. Male and female with BSP threads are also common. Bulkhead mount ones are rarer and more expensive.

I am paranoid when leaving them disconnected that something will go inside the hose. Might be an opportunity for a 3D printing person to design some caps.

If you wanted to protect the connected parts for whatever reason, these look good:

FaceLift Protector Pod

FaceLift Protector Pod useful new product that protects Rectus 21 fittings on hose. Easy to fit. Made from tough Nylon. Available in two sizes, 6mm and 8mm.

windowcleaningstuff.co.uk

Parker Rectus catalogue here:

https://www.parker.com/literature/Quick%20Coupling%20Division%20-%20Europe/Catalogue%20Pages_Websphere/CAT-3800-PNEU-GB_Series-21_Fittings_Catalogue_English.pdf

 

[Kram]

Rectus21 are what most of us use.

I use the china copies, they work quite acceptably. I always turn the bottle off when not in use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Connector-Diameter-Fittings/dp/B0DCK4JTNY/

 

[hotponyshoes]

Rectus 21 again,
The ones in the amazon link are compatible but you'll need threaded ones for the reg side.

Plain brass ones are not common but the genuine rectus ones (maybe others) are nickel plated brass and I've not had any problems with them.

 

[Kram]

They stick out further than a hose on a barb so it may be best to have the rectus on a short hose on the regulator side.

I did disassemble one of the cheapies and brazed a lump on, threaded bsp with an adaptor to screw on, probably wasnt worth the effort if you can buy them.

 

[Shedendman]

Rectus 21 again,
The ones in the amazon link are compatible but you'll need threaded ones for the reg side.

Yes,correct,threaded to attach to the outlet on the flow meter(ball in glass type)
I'll have a shop around,cheers chaps

 

[hotponyshoes]

The female sides are quite a bit more expensive than the male sides so use them on whatever you have less of.
Ie, if you have 3 types of gas but only one welder it makes sense to put the female on the welder side.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I am paranoid when leaving them disconnected that something will go inside the hose. Might be an opportunity for a 3D printing person to design some caps.

If you wanted to protect the connected parts for whatever reason, these look good:

FaceLift Protector Pod

FaceLift Protector Pod useful new product that protects Rectus 21 fittings on hose. Easy to fit. Made from tough Nylon. Available in two sizes, 6mm and 8mm.

windowcleaningstuff.co.uk

Parker Rectus catalogue here:

https://www.parker.com/literature/Quick%20Coupling%20Division%20-%20Europe/Catalogue%20Pages_Websphere/CAT-3800-PNEU-GB_Series-21_Fittings_Catalogue_English.pdf

Dirt can be a issue, I've fixed a few welders when the gas solonide has been leaking/constantly flowing as a bit of grit is stopping it shutting off fully.
It's ment replacing the solonide on more than one occasion.

I've got an stl for some printed caps if anyone wants it.
Or I've got some caps printed in polyurethane at not much more than the cost of postage.

Those protectors in your link stop the quick-release part getting pulled back (accidentally disconnecting) if it catches something.
Obviously ideal for water fed pole cleaning but would be good if you were using big gas bottles strapped to the wall and running extension hoses to the welder.
Not seen one in person so not sure if they need to go onto the hose before the fitting or if you can add them afterwards?

Edit:
I've seen some solonides with filters on the inlet side.
Not sure if there is an in/line filter available?
Something small with male/female bsp threads would be good as you could just fit it the same time as the quick-connect.
Would save a lot of work trying to get to the gas solonide. They can be well buried on some machines...

Another Edit:
Quick search finds these,
£3.50 each.
Not sure I'd trust them but if I could find a solid brass body version with the correct thread for under a tenner...

 

[Shedendman]

This is the kind of thing i'm looking to connect to the flow meter i guess they're 3/8th ?

Rectus 21 Type Coupling Water Fed Pole Bsp Female Fitting Microbore 21 Quick fit | eBay

High Quality Quick Release Coupling Nipple. For use with coupling number 121383774795.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Agroshield]

This is the kind of thing i'm looking to connect to the flow meter...

The outlet of the flow meter is expecting a hose tail and hose tail nut. Not only does the nut have a BSP female thread, the end of the tail has a rounded or tapered end to seat and seal into the internal taper of the flow meter.

A direct thread-to-thread connection will at best need a load of PTFE. Also, you are putting strain on the flow meter every time you connect and disconnect as the whole lot is rigid.

As above, from kram, "it may be best to have the Rectus on a short hose on the regulator side", a short whip hose is by far the best solution. See this for a pre-made one:

Quick Release Gas Adaptor Kit Q/R female to bare ended hose

R-Tech TIG Torch Quick Release Gas Conversion Kit, order on-line for next day delivery

www.r-techwelding.co.uk

 

[Agroshield]

I've got an stl for some printed caps if anyone wants it.

Yes please.

I think the pole ones would have to go on before the ear clip and fitting. If not, they would fall off every time you disconnected the connection and carried the hose about the place.

First filter I found ("1/4 BSP inline filter"), in the form factor you require:

High Pressure ST33 Inline Filter 1/4

Manufacture and Wholesale of Pressure Washers, Pressure Washer Acessories and SoftWash Systems

www.rutlandpumps.com

It exceeds your price, but I did not look harder.

 

[hotponyshoes]

Yes please.

I think the pole ones would have to go on before the ear clip and fitting. If not, they would fall off every time you disconnected the connection and carried the hose about the place.

First filter I found ("1/4 BSP inline filter"), in the form factor you require:

High Pressure ST33 Inline Filter 1/4

Manufacture and Wholesale of Pressure Washers, Pressure Washer Acessories and SoftWash Systems

www.rutlandpumps.com

It exceeds your price, but I did not look harder.

Pm me an email address and I'll send the stl over
That filter is close enough to the budget
Although, as mentioned above, it's probably 3/8 threads. I'll look into those later..