Aluminum Air Line to Braided Stainless Line

[Mieser3]

I'm running 3/8 aluminum tubing for the lines on my air system and am wanting to transition to braided stainless line at each of the bags to prevent any issues that would arise from vibration. What is the best way to accomplish this? (ie. what fittings do I need on the braided line, bags and aluminum line)

Thanks!

[Domer]

Any shop you have that carries AN style fittings, you can a get a compression to -AN fitting. I have one on my aluminum fuel lines to Braided steel line.

[lolife99]

Yep.
37 degree flare on the aluminum with a AN tube nut and adapter.
Then you will need a 6An union to connect the tube to stainless.
I suggest 6AN if your tube is 3/8" and 4AN if your tube is 5/16".

[wraprail]

X2 on what Keith said.

You will need to shop for a 37 degree flaring tool.

You can use AN-6 unions or bulkhead fittings depending on mounting

[Mieser3]

Thanks for the info guys. I have a good flaring tool so that shouldn't be an issue. As for the connection at the bags am I correct in assuming that I can just purchase 1/2 NPT x AN-6 fittings to connect the bags to the stainless?

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by Mieser3

Thanks for the info guys. I have a good flaring tool so that shouldn't be an issue. As for the connection at the bags am I correct in assuming that I can just purchase 1/2 NPT x AN-6 fittings to connect the bags to the stainless?

Standard automotive flares are 45 degree and those flare tools will not work for AN fittings.

AN fittings require 37 degree flares.

The two are not interchangable

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Mieser3

As for the connection at the bags am I correct in assuming that I can just purchase 1/2 NPT x AN-6 fittings to connect the bags to the stainless?

yes

You could also use a compression fitting on your stainless line instead of flaring.
Swagelok has great fittings and they also sell stainless flex hoses good to 3000 psi.
But the fittings and hoses are pricey!

[Domer]

yes. that is correct.

[Domer]

I wasnt talking about the tool, i meant the size of line.. I just use a compression to -AN fitting. no flaring

[wraprail]

Yea thing about those compression to -AN fittings is they are only rated at like 50psi as is most aluminum hard line.
(maybe not Swaglock but your standard Aeroquip, Russell, Earls, Jegs are only 50psi)
Tube nut and sleeve with a 37 degree flare will handle more pressure than the aluminum hard line ever will. 1000+psi.

Some aluminum hard line is rated to 100psi. but most is not.

[Mieser3]

Originally Posted by wraprail

Some aluminum hard line is rated to 100psi. but most is not.

Now you've got me concerned. Should I stay away from the aluminum fuel line for my air lines? I am using the Moroso #65330 3/8" O.D. stuff. Everything I see on the web says it is tested to only 35 psi. I don't want to spend a lot of time bending lines only to have them fail down the road.

[Domer]

Facepalm.. your right.. i forgot he was running this for air line... mine is on a carb'd fuel line.. only have about 6 psi on it..

[wraprail]

Don't know Jay.
I have a roll of 1/2" aluminum Russell brand.
I was going to use it from my EDC compressor to my rear mounted tank. It is very thin wall. Think I will stick with the 3/8 dot. line I am currently using.
I did see one brand (can't remember which) on Jeg's website that was rated at 100psi.
I wouldn't use compression fittings on it though. Tube nut & sleeve only.
You could use steel line and inverted flare nuts with a 3/8"npt. coup to a -6an fitting and then your steel braided hose. Sounds like you already have a flareing tool for this type of connector. Would be harder to bend but would give you the working pressures you need no problem. This way you are limited by the hose working pressure. Usually around 250psi.
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