invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

I have been using the AirPower 3 and 4 way Fittings that dreamworks sells for about 3 years now. At first, they were great, every one in the package provided a leak free solution. But about 2 years ago, I started getting one or two per package that would leak around the white "sealant" between the machined block and the air nipple. I've got a fairly large stash of about 30 of these things, and just checked 5 of them at random, and everyone of them has a leak..

Has or is anyone else having issues with these things? Its a little frustrating spending a few hours plumbing an entire air-system for a plane, then only to pressurize the thing and see that it leaks 50+ psi in less than 3 minutes due to the Tee fittings..

Anyone have TRUE "leak-free" solution other than these things?

FILE IFR

Can you 'rejuvinate' the seals or rings with O-ring oil/lube?

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

Nope.. the seal is more of an epoxy.

Normally i would just ignore it, but since its becoming more of an issue and at $13 and $15 per pack, its getting expensive.

Harley Condra

My Feedback: (4)

Are these the fittings you are referring to?


I have found most of them to be "leakers" too. I went back to the plastic Robart tees......

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

Those are the culprits...

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

If they came from Dreamworks, I'm confident that Todd will replace them. If you're the least bit handy you should be able to chip away the epoxy seal with a hobby knife, unscrew the fitting and clean the threads with a wire brush. Then clean the boss and fitting with acetone and reinstall the fitting using hysol or equivelant.

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

I didn't realize the nipples screwed in... But at the price they are, and them being advertised as "the leak free solution" then shouldn't they be leak free? I haven't bothered Todd with the question of replacing them yet, as i didn't want to send them one or 2 at a time, i was waiting till i had exhausted my supply so i could send all of them back. But at this rate, I may just find another solution.

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Thomas, my suggestion to talk to Todd was two fold. First, as I said, I'm sure he'll replace them and secondly I'm also sure he will do his best to resolve the problem with the manufacturer, that you and others seem to have. Honestly, I haven't taken one apart (I'll sacrifice one of mine to see what makes them tick) but when I see a brass fitting inserted into an aluminum boss I immediately assume they are either threaded together or press fit. In either case, they should be able to be taken apart and be resealed.

marc s

Thomas, the Mem-Co fittings are silver soldered and excellent quality - on your side of the pond too. T1 and X1 parts are the items I think you are after but a scan through the catalogue would verify.

marcs

LGM Graphix

My Feedback: (22)

I've been using the plastic T fittings from Robart and/or BVM for years and never had one leak on me yet. Tried those airpower ones at one time and had leaks so I went back to the plastic ones.

Square Nozzle

My Feedback: (1)

Thomas, I took one apart and the nipple is threaded into the boss. I just chipped away the seal, which appears to be epoxy, with my exacto knife. Then I grabbed the base of the nipple, avoiding the barb on the nipple (used a pair of needle nose pliers - my fitting has a round base as opposed to a hex) and put a small adjustable wrench on the boss and twisted and the fitting threaded out. Seems like a lot of trouble for just a little fitting but I love to tinker and investigate these sort of things and I get a warm fuzzy when I can fix them.

c_makhija

Festo makes excellent T-fittings in different size. Never had a problem with Robart or BVM fittings either like LGM says, just that the Festo Ts look muck stronger and work great.

Chatty.

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

marc,
Great source! I've actually acquired a few of their fittings over the years and have never been able to figure out who made them, till now.. Thanks!

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

interesting... i've got some liquid teflon tape type stuff at work, i may try pulling one of the offending leakers apart and putting that stuff on the threads. Oils don't bother the stuff, the only down-side, is it never really hardens, and sticks to everything without coming off...

noahb

My Feedback: (67)

The fittings from clippard are very good. They have reducers, tee fitings, 4 way, just about any barbed fitting. They are all one unit, no where to leak. They also have a very good barb on them, seals and retains the airline very good. In fact, you are not going to pull the airline off without cutting it. There airline is is also very nice, seals everytime, is is very reasonable in price.

C185Pilot

My Feedback: (25)

Yup...my Airpower "T's" leak too. Thought it was just me. Will try some of the others.

marc s

No problem, they also look like the same make BVM use in some of their tank fitting hardware.

marcs

slightly_floored

I run the clippard minimatics gas parts in my armed R/C warship, pressurised to 150 PSI. Never had a failure on a joint where i used the slip-over collars.

rolsen12

Use Clippard fittings they don't leak....

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

I've had problems with those also.

Now I test everyone before I use them.

Bob

Craig B.

I only use festo T and Y fittings on my jets.....nothing else. I have encountered problems with some of the plastic t fittings leaking due to moulding lines on them. THe festo fittings are really well made and very strong. I am sure the clippard fittings would be good too. Both are commercial pneumatic fittings so you won't get any better than that.

lov2flyrc

My Feedback: (24)

Thomas,
Just opened two packs and tested each one. None leaked for me. Can you tell me where you are finding the leaks? Is it where the fitting meets the base or is air seeping past the airline installed on the nipple? I personally use these fittings and have not found one to leak yet however; it has been a while since I pulled any off the shelve to use, perhaps we have a bad batch?
Please provide me some details so I can make sure this issue is resolved immediately. Although more expensive, we do have the Festo Tee fittings as well, see [link=http://dreamworksrc.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=100]HERE[/link]
Todd

marc s

If you crack open a Festo barbed fitting, the one with blue plastic centres, you will see they are simply individual brass barbed fitting encapsulated in a plastic shell, when I first opened one up I was expecting a completely integrated fitting with a plastic piece over the top for looks and ease of handling.
Having 4 separate barbs held in place by a small plastic shell leaves me in doubt, silver soldered all metal just has to be more durable.

I know Festo do an all metal range, not sure though what size they go down to.

marcs

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

Todd,
At first, I thought it may of been air leaking past the nipple, but by putting a new tee in place, the leaks stopped.. the air is leaking throught the white sealant stuff at the base of the nipples. Sometimes only one, sometimes all three.

Meesh

My Feedback: (135)

I test mine with soapy water and you can see very tiny bubbles emitting from underneath the sealant.

Bob