Anybody use Swagelok fittings on their Rod?

I'm asking because of a little project at my day gig.
The boss is asking me if I have any examples of Swagelok being used in industries besides the typical semi-con, power plant, etc... applications.

He knows I have used our fittings for fuel delivery systems on a few hot rods and wants more examples.
So if anyone has used any Swagelok products for anything car or shop related if you could let me know what and how it would be greatly appreciated.

Picture would be great.
Thanks

 

Not a rod, but I'm using this Swagelok ball valve as an e-brake on my rock buggy.

 

Thanks for the pic.
So it's basically a line brake?
What size is the Female npt on that valve? 1/8" ?

Do you happen to no the part number off hand, B-42f2 ?

One more question and Ill leave you alone
How are you adapting the brake lines to the npt?

I'd guess flare to npt adaptor, but I don’t want to assume anything.

Thanks again for your response.

 

I used the shit out of them on water plants and instrumentation tubing.

Some found there way onto my old projects and I loved them esp for oil lines and fuel lines, I have a few sticks of 3/16 for brake lines for the bucket with fittings

 

What type of end connections are you using and for which application?

Thanks again guys.

 

Yep, just like a line brake, and that's the right part # and fitting size.

Probably use this to get it 4an...
http://www.secureperformanceorder.com/afcostore/getproduct.cfm?CategoryID=3&ClassID=36&SubclassID=149&ProductID=1838
and run 4an braided lines from the MC to the valve, and also down to a susp. link, then hardline down the link, and soft into the caliper (pinion brake).

 

This is an excellent post for a few different reasons.

I work in the hydraulics industry and we use swagelok fittings on a regular basis. Personally, I like them better than a fitting where the tube requires flaring prior to assembly. The type of swagelok fitting I am familiar with basically self flares. It makes it easier to make repairs in the field. So while I was contemplating my new brake line runs I wondered if swagelok fittings would be a good way to go. After all, brake systems are basically mobile hydraulics.

I was thinking that these tube fittings would save a bunch of time and most likely eliminate any possibility of leakage. Double flaring brake lines is time consuming and at times frustrating. And if I use these fittings in the brake system I will also maintain the same type through the fuel system also. I just need to determine what o-ring seal type to use per application. I would think that using a fitting with the addition of an o-ring would seal better.

I think I will contact our supplier and axe a few questions...

 

Swagelok,could you post some pics of the type you are speaking of,and is it a "compression fitting"?
we prolly'got them on the planes i work on,but i got "permaswage" fittings and unions on the brain.
show us some pics.

 

http://www.swagelok.com/index.asp

Two Ferrule compression fittings.
Also:
Ball, Bellows, and Diaphragm Valves.
Pipe Fittings NPT, ISO, SAE.
And a ton of other fluid and gas delivery components.
Very high Quality.

 

We use tham on just about every system we have at our plant, but you already mensioned the high tech industry.

I went to a three day swedeglok course at the portland Ore. distributors shop, They do an amazing demo of the strength and quality of their fittings by capping one end of a stainless pipe (2" diam) with their product and connecting the other end with swagelok fitting to a hydrolic ram type pump. Then they pump up the pipe with hydrolic pressure until the pipe SPLITS OPEN! Never a drop of a leak from the fittings.
They are very high quality. I trust my life to them every day. We use their products exclusively on our H2, poisinous dopant gas and pyrophorics gas systems.

 

We use the tube fittings all the time here at work. That's why I don't use them on my rod- they'd know I was stealing them!

They are nice pieces though- put them together right, and they'll never leak.

 

I have used them on both the fuel and brake vacume systems on my Model A.

The pipe for my vacume from the inlet to the booster ( under the floor) is stainless pipe with swagelock fittings both ends and supported by swagelock clamps.

Same with my fuel line....not sure on the exact fitting details off hand though...


Adam

 

Thanks for the replies fellas.

If any of ya could shoot some pictures or your installs and post em' I'd be
eternally grateful.

 

Shaun if your boss is reading over your shoulder right now..., "GIVE SHAUN A RAISE"...!!!

 

Thanks Krupanut for the pics!

 

Swagelok is great stuff, I got introduced to it through the local oil industry.
On my project, I'm using some 1/4" Swagelok fittings and ss tubing for part of my brake system, some 3/16" for the oil pressure gauge connection, and some 3/8" for both my fuel line and the vacuum booster connection.

Yeah, it's kind of overkill for the latter two applications, but I had the parts, and buffed up they look sweet.

I'm working on a custom EFI system at the moment, and I'll likely plumb the whole fuel system from the tank all the way up to the fuel rails with the stuff.

Doc.

 

Last Project I worked on at Savannah River Site, used oved $3 Million in VCR Fittings and glands. We designed the whole plant on PDS, down to every 1/4" line inside the gloveboxes.

 

I went to work early this morning to check out all the H.A.M.B. posts and was surprised to see this thread on Swagelok, which I have worked for the past 13 years and my wife for 10. Its a great place to work for and we make some great stuff. It is cool to see it being used on hotrods..Littleman

 

Crazy,
What division are you in Littleman?

I've been with Arthur Valve and fitting / Arthur Fluid Systems here in Austin for 10 years now.
Started off in shipping (perfect Musician day job) and ended up as the in house Technical Service Rep.

Your right it's a great company to work for. It's the only day job I've ever had for more than a 12 month period of time.

 

Thanks for the pics and info Doc.

 

Swagelock doesn't just make flow fittings. In the sailboat racing world we used them to terminate multi-strand stainless wire rigging. Standard terminals were swaged on with tons of pressure, but the spot where the wire exited the swage became a stress point and would fatige after a few years. Offshore racing boats would cary a selection of Swagelock fittings and some extension plates just in case they had to trim off the end of a bad piece of rigging. I've seen the same wire-rope fittings used in architecture, railings, stays and such. Easy to use in the field without specialized tools.

 

Cool post!
I've never heard of these before.
I wonder if they make GM style power steering fittings.

 

Krupanut, I work at the Concord / Discovery campus , we make all of the semi conductor valves and stuff. I work in the tool crib , and on proto type stuff or fab up what ever anyone needs. This year their will be alot of restructuring, alot of the plants will be relocated to Solon, Ohio....Littleman

 

If you're really cool, Swagelok will send a rep out to install their stuff!

 

My company does high pressure natural gas fuel systems for diesels. Trucks and gensets mostly. We run over 5000psi (liquified and gaseous NG), and use Swagelock for everything. Very nice stuff. Pretty pricey for the average guy to use on their hotrod though.

Brakes would be an ideal application, but a mechanic told me that they aren't approved in our motor vehicle laws. So supposedly in order to pass inspection, all the brake lines need to be double flared. Working around gas at the pressures we have, I have way more confidence in double ferrule Swagelock than a double flare. But I'd hate to have a cop send my 'mechanically suspiscious' car to inspection and be forced to rip out all my brake lines.

When we switched to Swagelock at work, I was given all our old Hoke fittings (same idea, different brand), and have used it in my air spring system rather than the leaky quick-couplings they give you. So I guess that could be another application - especially for the guys who run the really high pressure air systems.

 

Here's another high-pressure application...



Doc.

 

That is pure genius!
The boss will get a kick outta that.

 

My dad sold swagelock fittings (plus taylor stuff) for decades. Put a lot of food on the table.

They arent approved for use on brake lines since a dumbass could put a brass one on a steel line - and the brake pressure could be enough to push the line out of the fitting.

And that test box that bursts the tubing to show the fitting holds.... Dad ran one at trade shows for years.

 

I heard that a Swagelok Rep is coming to Green Bay Wisconsin April 11-17th After he's done playing..., UH..., ER..., repping The Lone Star Roundup...!!!

"GIVE SHAUN A RAISE!"

 

Ok, this is the forth car I've plumbed with the swagelok fittings for the brakes and the fuel lines. You have to know the system but the fittings will work with Mustang II calipers, master cylinders and all.