How to Easily Install Braided, Stainless Hose to the Threads of AN Fittings

posted in: AN Hose Assembly 7

It seems to have become more difficult lately to install braided stainless hose all the way to the threads of AN fittings. Although it’s not as problematic as inserting it into the fitting, it can be burdensome and needs to be addressed.

The first time we realized this was an issue was when we bought new hose for our KOUL tool demos at the SEMA Show last fall. The hose was noticeably stiffer and far more difficult to install. Then, after receiving comments from customers about this problem, we decided to look for an easy way to get the hose fully installed.

There are three types of AN hoses that we found to be more difficult to install than others. The first culprit is the -16 braided stainless hose we use. It’s extremely stiff, making it hard to push all they way to the threads. Next, our -6 nylon braided hose is too flexible, making hard to get any force behind it. Finally, any of the smaller sizes can be difficult because it’s just hard to fully grip them.

Install braided stainless hose in a snap

1. Use the Koultool to get your hose started.

Use the Koultool to get your AN hose started

2. Clamp the hose into AN vise jaw inserts.

Clamp braided stainless hose into AN vise jaw inserts

3. Twist and push the fitting onto the hose with a palm wrench.

Use a palm wrench to install braided stainless hose to the threads of AN fittings

Remove Push-Lock Hose Without Scoring the Fitting

In this video we show you how to remove push-lock hose without damaging the fitting. After releasing the EZ-ON Hose Press, our push lock hose tool that installs these types of hoses in mere seconds, it seemed fit to share our tip for removing them. This hose removal method works for all brands and sizes, including Parker and Gates hoses.

The old way of removing the hose from the barb was to take a knife and cut down the hose. While that was efficient, it did more harm than good. Using a knife or razor blade to remove the hose could damage the barb on the fitting and lead to a leak.

Remove push-lock hose with a soldering iron. That’s right, instead of using a knife to do the job, take a soldering gun and put a plastic cutting tip on it. Next, bend it 90 degrees so it acts like a cutting blade. Then, after letting it heat up, slowly use it to cut down the hose.

While this method might take a little longer than using a knife, it will leave the barb perfectly intact. How do we know that? Because we did it over 800 times at the SEMA Show with out scoring the barb once.

1 2