Secret to putting push-lok fittings on
- Thread starter APW
- Start date
slash007
Well-known member
I put on 4 the other day and bruised the crap out of my palms. I put some cutting oil on the fittings first then press and turn, but it's still hard.
They are Parker push-lok. The hose is a rubber continental for low pressure.
MEP001
Well-known member
Hot water. I keep an old saucepan at the wash and heat a couple inches of water with a torch to almost boiling. Soak the hose in it for 15 seconds and it'll slip right on.
The local Parker distributor makes hoses to order and they said use alcohol as a lubricant along with a special device to force the hose over the fitting. $400 later and we had about 12 hoses assembled and a bent handle on a machine we could no longer use.
The local Parker distributor makes hoses to order and they said use alcohol as a lubricant along with a special device to force the hose over the fitting. $400 later and we had about 12 hoses assembled and a bent handle on a machine we could no longer use.
There are a couple companies that make a tool to put the fittings on. I haven't tried any of them yet so I don't know how well they work.
David
David
pgrzes
Active member
We will usually use a little heat in the winter time. I always use the wood on the end of a bench or stair rail and put the fitting against the wood two hands and my beer gut, spit on it and slam it in there wiggling back and forth a bit. Works pretty well on up to 3/4" stuff. Never had a complaint!! Bigger stuff gets tough! Might need a better lube and more foreplay I mean heat!! Thats how the person at our local hose shop showed me how its done! I wont say if they were a he or a she!! LOL Enjoy.
MEP001
Well-known member
That's a lot nicer than the one we got from Parker, looks indestructible, and still cheaper.
slash007
Well-known member
Wow, good reviews too. Might have to try it.
MEP001
Well-known member
Try the hot water method first. You'll be surprised how well it works.
I used a butane torch to heat the water and the fittings slid in like a champ. Thanks for the tip!
Eric H
Well-known member
Ok, how do you take them off?
Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
The 3/4" and 1" push lock fittings are really tough. New hose in the smaller sizes is not too bad, but once it gets old and stiff it becomes extremely difficult. I have done the hot water method and carry in a thermos for a few fittings when I'm anticipating doing a couple. I'm tempted to buy the hose press, Jegs sells it and you can get discount coupons if you're patient. I'm about to rehose a water wizard and there's tons of push lock fittings on them.
MEP001
Well-known member
You have to cut the hose, which you have to do carefully if you plan to reuse the fitting. I prefer to cut a slice off the side of the hose, cutting toward the yellow ring, and only cut through the nylon reinforcement, then bend the hose to the side and it should slip off. If you just cut into the hose with a sharp blade and score the barb, it will leak.
MEP001
Well-known member
I use push-lock fittings with polybraid hose all the time whenever there's no pressure on it. It's a lot less expensive, and a lot easier to get the hose on. Kleen-Rite sells it in several colors which for some reason is even cheaper than the clear.
I use Oatley pipe lubricant for putting push-lok fittings on. Put a little down in the hose and some on the fitting and it makes
them slide on a lot easier.
them slide on a lot easier.
Amazon.com: Oatey 30600 Lubricant, For Rubber Gaskets, 32-Ounce : Industrial & Scientific
Buy Oatey 30600 Lubricant, For Rubber Gaskets, 32-Ounce: Adhesives, Sealants & Lubricants - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Greg Pack
Wash Weenie
I often try various lubricants when I have trouble with old hose and can't really recall a problem with hoses popping off.. But if the hose is new and pliable I don' have any issue with 1/2" or 3/8" hose without lube. It's just the larger hose, or old hose (making a repair)that I have issues. I do clamp fittings on the gantry subject to a lot of movement like on the wall boom.
The Oatley pipe lubricant is water based and is safe to use on hose. Works better than dish washing detergent which I have used in a tight. The pipe lubricant is mainly used for lubing the gaskets on water and sewer pipe.
I’ve used for years and even more now as my grip is not what it used to be.
Never had a problem with fittings coming apart but don’t let it spill in your toolbox.
Makes a slimy mess!
I’ve used for years and even more now as my grip is not what it used to be.
Never had a problem with fittings coming apart but don’t let it spill in your toolbox.
Makes a slimy mess!
