AN Fittings & Hoses FAQ

AN Size Information

AN Measurements are very simple to figure out. You take an AN designation, put it over 16 in a fraction form, then reduce the fraction and it gives you the inch size form. Using -4 AN as an example, you put 4 over 16 (4/16), then reduce it.First reduction would be 2/8, reducing it again will give you 1/4″.

• -4AN = 1/4″
• -6 AN = 3/8″
• -8 AN = 1/2″
• -10 AN = 5/8″
• -12 AN= 3/4″

Assembling AN Hoses & Fittings

Tools Required:

This is a list of tools you will need to have at hand when you install braided hose fittings. Most of you will have this equipment in your garage or workshop.

• Bench vice
• Saw to cut hose- A grinder with a cut off wheel or a fine tooth hacksaw
• Masking tape or electrical tape
  
• Pliers and tin snips
• Exacto-knife
• Shop rags or towels to wipe off excess oil

When cutting the braided hose to length, first wrap some masking tape or electrical tape around the hose where the cut will be made. This helps stop the stainless steel braid from flaring out when making the cut. There are a number of ways to cut this hose. The easiest way for someone cutting hose at a home workshop is to use a fine tooth saw with the hose held in some vice jaws. A grinder with a cutoff wheel is the cleanest and quickest method.

When cutting the braided hose with a fine tooth saw, allow the blade to cut through without applying much pressure. It is important to cut the hose square.

If you have any stray pieces of stainless steel braid, cut them with your snips. You will also need to clean any debris made from the cut and ensure there is no debris in the hose. Using compressed air works best.

The following images and information is from Jafromobile’s YouTube videos. Click here to go to his channel.

Next, insert the cut braided hose into the socket using a twisting and pushing motion, as if you were screwing it on, until the hose reaches the back of the threads inside the socket nut. You should clean the connection again with compressed air.

Mark the position of the hose against the back of the socket nut. Wrap a piece of masking tape around the hose where it meets the back of the socket. This will act as a marker to check if the hose is being pushed out during assembly.

Before installing the hose end, apply a small amount of oil to the around the nipple on the fitting that goes into the hose end socket. This makes it easier to push/thread the hose end into the hose. You also need to ensure that the end of the hose where you made your cut is perfectly round as well.

Carefully insert the fitting into the socket and hose until the socket engages with the hose end threads. Keep everything square to avoid cross threading. Hold the hose to stop it from being pushed out of the socket.

Tighten the hose end into the socket using the correct size wrenches. Ensure there is plenty of oil on the threads as you tighten the union. Tighten until the fitting bottoms out in the socket.

And, you’re done. Building your own SS Braided lines with AN fittings really isn’t all that difficult.

Images By Jafromobile

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