120v Tire Inflator

[rbattelle]

I'm in need of a tire inflator. Before you say "get a compressor, like a real man!", I'm afraid I can't afford a compressor right now (in terms of space or money).



But I frequently have need to adjust tire inflation pressures. I was thinking of getting this Craftsman, but wanted to check with the group here to see if there are any recommendations.



Ryan

 

[kenny61]

If thats all the money you got then I would say go for it. If you can scrape up a few more bucks get a small compressor. The extra things that you can do with as running air tools are well worth the money and they are pretty compact



Craftsman 2 gal. Air Compressor with 17 pc. Accessory Kit - Model 15312 at Sears.com

 

[LRutigliano]

I'm in need of a tire inflator. Before you say "get a compressor, like a real man!", I'm afraid I can't afford a compressor right now (in terms of space or money).



But I frequently have need to adjust tire inflation pressures. I was thinking of getting this Craftsman, but wanted to check with the group here to see if there are any recommendations.



Ryan

Harbor Freight has pancake style compressors on sale all of the time. You should be able to get one for approx $80 and it doesn't take up very much space. (about as much spae as a 5gal bucket) The only drawback is that the tank is pretty small so its fine for filling car tires, but will cycle a few times to add air to our trucks or E range trailer tires. Not a big deal IMO.



I have two air compressors (one on each side of the 3 car garage) and they are set up with retractable hoses attached to the wall. Now I can adjust tire pressure on the trailer, truck, bicycles, jogging stroller, boat trailer, etc w/o having to move any rigs or move any compressors... I can also work any of the rigs with air tools again w/o having to move anything.



Its an awesome set up for me and I've only invested approx $250 for the compressors, retractable hoses (keeps everything nice and neat!) and tire chucks.



I personally really like the HF compressors as they have a lube sump that holds approx 1 qt of oil for the compressor instead of a dry pump. I've had mine for quite a long time.



Good luck and have fun shopping...



Louis

 

[DavidC]

With only 1 scfm at 30 psi I think you will spend most of your time hanging around tires. May work ok on a camray,civic,pool toys etc. but a truck tire will take forever. Usually that 1 scfm is the high mark and it is a quick fall from there.



Dave

 

[nickleinonen]

look for used stuff... i snagged a free sears 2 cylinder compressor from the garbage a while back. the tank is shot, but i patched it up with rubber washers and sheet metal screws for now until i get something better for the new house. runs pretty good but won't start up when filled with air. it needs a check valve at the tank so there won't be load on the reed valves so it can start up. price was perfect. [still trying to salvage one of the 120 gallon locomotive air tanks that get chopped up every so often at my work place]

 

[rbattelle]

look for used stuff... i snagged a free sears 2 cylinder compressor from the garbage a while back. the tank is shot, but i patched it up with rubber washers and sheet metal screws for now until i get something better for the new house. runs pretty good but won't start up when filled with air. it needs a check valve at the tank so there won't be load on the reed valves so it can start up. price was perfect. [still trying to salvage one of the 120 gallon locomotive air tanks that get chopped up every so often at my work place]

I would love to find something like that. For the moment, I still haven't made any purchase. And last week a very dangerous thought entered my mind: maybe I should make my own compressor.



Good to see you back, Nick. You've been away a long time.



Ryan

 

[kenny61]

My father made one years ago. Pulled an old compressor out of the dump. Got an old Washing machine motor out of the Dump. Made a frame from an old bed frame... . out of the dump. got a 2 gallon tank probably from the dump and bought the pressure switch and safety release. He built it before I was born and it out lasted him My brother still has it and uses it to this day. The old compressor has something like an 18 inch diameter pulley so the small electric motor runs it just fine load wise but it takes for ever to reach max pressure and the scfm is very low. but it will pump up your tires. He upgraded the tank years later by adding on an old oxygen cylinder he found somewhere. My brother said he saw a special on tv where the bottoms rust out from the condensation and they take off like rockets so he disconnected it. Back to the 2 gallon tank...

Thanks for the memory Nick