If your compressed air system is going on a vehicle or in another custom installation, chances are you’ll be building the system from scratch using semi-rigid air lines and National Pipe Thread (NPT) compression fittings.

NPT fittings are common in compressed air systems because they feature tapered thread. If you don’t know what that means, read this AN vs. NPT thread story.

While the process of installing compression fittings onto your air lines may seem straightforward, it’s absolutely important that you do it correctly. A single leaky fitting can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy compressed air system.

Kleinn Automotive Air Horns made this quick, two-minute video that shows you exactly how to install an NPT compression air fitting onto your air lines.

Better still, it shows you a quick, clever ‘hack’ to make it easier to slip the air line onto the compression nipple without damaging the line, which ensures the line is seated squarely on the fitting.

This is one of those jobs you want to do right the first time—so that you avoid chasing down leaks in your compressed air system after installation.

Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.