Air fittings and connectors have many different applications. Products range from simple air hose fittings for pneumatic tools to specialty air brake fittings to industrial air fittings for manufacturing facilities. Finding the right fittings for the application at a price that won't break your operating budget is difficult.

Industrial air connector manufacturers vary widely in the types of products they produce and often times industrial air fitting suppliers carry only certain specialty types of fluid handling equipment. Here are some things you want to do while looking for a supplier for your air connector, fitting and piping needs:

1. Develop a spec sheet with the required elements needed for the system.
2. Write a materials list of all needed air fittings and connectors, including estimated pipe or hose lengths.
3. Search for suppliers who are able to meet general as well as specialty needs.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Narrow down your design specs to limit which type of air fittings and connectors you need

When your project is in the design phase, your team may be looking at several types of fluid handling equipment to meet the needs of the project. Fittings for each type will fall in different price brackets and you may want to price fittings for each type to decide on which to design into the project.

I recommend: Engineering and industrial firms depend on search engines like ThomasNet and GlobalSpec to quickly price things like air fittings. Their catalog libraries have hundreds of companies information, products, specs and prices all quickly at hand. You'll need to register to access GlobalSpec, but the process is simple and quick.

Decide whether you want one supplier for all your air fitting needs or several

Your project may require several specialty air connectors or fittings, such as brass air fittings, which may require several suppliers. Purchasing all your fluid handling needs through one supplier makes the purchasing process easier, you may want to go through one supplier for most of your needs and use a specialty supplier for the specialty connectors in your project.

I recommend: Cole-Parmer has a selection of air fittings from quick connect to micro-bore tubing connectors. They also serve the US, Canada, China, India and the UK. Parker Hannifin Corporation specializes in brass fitting manufacturing and motion control technologies. They are located in the United States but serve worldwide.

Get quotes from several industrial air fitting suppliers

With your materials list in hand, request price quotes from several suppliers. In most cases the supplier wants to know if they can meet all of your needs, so supplying the complete materials list, even if the product is not in their catalog, is important.

I recommend: Associated Fastening Products exclusively carries brass fittings for air brake and other applications. Fill out their standard or specialty quote form and they will give you prompt and courteous service. Morris Coupling Company has an easy online contact form to request a quote.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bring your request to the supplier for all the air fitting and connection parts you need. In most cases, the supplier will be happy to give you a volume discount on your order.