Milwaukee M18 Tire Inflator Thoughts?

[Beerhippie]

Ordered. Not as cheap as some I see, but from a reliable Milwaukee distributor. I will be adding a QR chuck, likely a LockNflate, as the local grange carries them.

This will be primarily for airing up the tires after airing down for rough roads.

 

[pbon]

if you have more space, the 1 gallon Ryobi 18V compressor is pretty compact. I had one and gave it to a relative for an ATV race trailer.

 

[Badger 13]

I have had mine for a couple of years now with NO issues what so ever. I did add add a Jaco S2X lighting hose extension with a locking nozzle which really makes it handy.

Lightning S2X Tire Inflator Hose Extension Self-Locking Nozzle | Paten

Supercharge the utility of your portable tire inflator with our Lightning S2X-Series self-locking + quick-release hose extension. It's designed to replace the standard screw-on, clip-on, or thumb-lock tire valve connectors on the air hose of your tire inflator, offering a more convenient and...

jacosuperiorproducts.com

​

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have the m12 inflator and it works good. I would assume the m18 does also but don't have experience with it.

Same here !

If you are just "topping off", the M12 is adequate. If you really want the M18, compare the "inflator" to the "compressor", altough they ar ereally gouging you for that air tank !

 

[pbon]

I used the M12 for a couple of years before buying the M18 inflator. The M12 is a little buzz box but gets the job done for topping off tires and is very compact. The M18 is quieter, faster and automatically adjusts the pressure. The M18 compressor with 2 gallon tank is way more than you need to tip off tires but would be a good choice for inflating flat ones or running air nail guns.

 

[Beerhippie]

Same here !

If you are just "topping off", the M12 is adequate. If you really want the M18, compare the "inflator" to the "compressor", altough they ar ereally gouging you for that air tank !

All well and good, but all my other red tools are M18, so I already have batteries for that platform. I already have two XC6.0 batts in my impact gun case--enough for a lot of tires and impact use.

 

[shoggoth80]

We have two M18 inflators on our tag trucks. They're "medium duty" but will inflate tractor tires. Get a higher amp hours, or a high output battery to go with it. Solid tool. I'm gonna try and convince the boss to let me get one for general check out. We also have the Snap On one, but the Milwaukee out performs it.

 

[dimichele]

I have a Crapsman inflator. I also have one that runs off of your battery and a air compressor. Although its somewhat limited, it's just easier and more conveinient.

 

[willbird]

I have been happy with mine. Was at a gas station and a dude was getting ready to drop quarters into a machine and i said "I can save you a quarter"....now his tire was maybe 19 psi and we took it to 35, that took a few minutes. All my other uses have been just a few PSI. I keep it in the truck because refilling a tire that will hold air long enough to get home might be nicer than swapping on the spare out in the boondocks.

 

[Beerhippie]

Mine should be here today... but it's shipping FedUp, so who knows when and where they'll leave it?

 

[Beerhippie]

It arrived last night--carefully concealed, as always--and I gave it a good test.

I got the biggest tire I use, an 225/70/16



Aired it down to 20 psi:



Then refilled it to 40 psi--the recommended pressure for a Vanagon rear tire.



Two minutes ain't bad. Another test I like to run on a new, complicated tool with digitals is if I can use it for the basic function without reading the manual. Passed.

The inflator cycles on and off while filling. You can see the indicated pressure on the display get up to the target, then it shuts down, the indicated pressure drops and it fires up again. Repeat. This may be due to excess restriction in my DIY QR chuck converter:



I think I'll cut the screw-on chuck off and attach the QR one directly to the line and see if that helps with the cycling.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

It arrived last night--carefully concealed, as always--and I gave it a good test.

I got the biggest tire I use, an 225/70/16



Aired it down to 20 psi:



Then refilled it to 40 psi--the recommended pressure for a Vanagon rear tire.



Two minutes ain't bad. Another test I like to run on a new, complicated tool with digitals is if I can use it for the basic function without reading the manual. Passed.

The inflator cycles on and off while filling. You can see the indicated pressure on the display get up to the target, then it shuts down, the indicated pressure drops and it fires up again. Repeat. This may be due to excess restriction in my DIY QR chuck converter:



I think I'll cut the screw-on chuck off and attach the QR one directly to the line and see if that helps with the cycling.

Mine will cycle like that with out an adapter on it for larger tires.

While they are slow, it is definitely handy and easy to use. Even my wife can top off a tire.

 

[Beerhippie]

Mine will cycle like that with out an adapter on it for larger tires.

While they are slow, it is definitely handy and easy to use. Even my wife can top off a tire.

I'll have to read the manual to figure out how to program the pressures into memory. I have three different pressures I'll generally be using, 32 for the Toyota, 35 for Van fronts and 40 for Van rears. Three memory banks on the inflator... coincidence? I think not.

Two minutes to bring a 28" OD tire from 20 to 40 psi doesn't seem that slow to me. Ever use a bicycle pump to fill Van tires?

 

[Beerhippie]

Now that I've taken the time to RTFM, I see that Milwaukee calls the cycling a "feature". Got the three pressures programmed into the memory, with one bank left--I thought it only had three, but it has four. I'll have to buy another rig to use the forth one.

Threw the manual away--I'll never need it again and could have figured out the full function in a few minutes of fiddling around.

 

[Beerhippie]

Hah! I figured out what to use the fourth memory bank for!



That uses a Schrader valve and pressurizes to 30 psi. With two gallons of fuel in it, it should take a few seconds to air up.

 

[richfinn]

Been using my M18 inflator for a couple of years, I regularly inflate punctured tyres from flat after doing a temp plug repair (sometimes 2 or 3 times per shift)

Being one of those guys that is always looking for better performance I bought the 12ah battery and an open flow LockNflate air chuck (no need to modify the hose it screws straight on with a dab of blue Loctite Lock and Seal).

LockNFlate® Locking Air Chuck - Six Steel Jaws Lock onto Any tire Valve - Won't Leak or pop Off - Rated to 150 PSI - Open Flow : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

LockNFlate® Locking Air Chuck - Six Steel Jaws Lock onto Any tire Valve - Won't Leak or pop Off - Rated to 150 PSI - Open Flow : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

I would recommend setting one of your pre-sets to 60psi for the temporary donut tyres, that's the one I use most helping out stranded motorists.

Make sure the hose is straight and not coiled to help with the cycling (it seems to get worse the colder it gets).

All in all it makes a great frustration free set up for mobile mechanics (if a little expensive)

 

[Beerhippie]

Been using my M18 inflator for a couple of years, I regularly inflate punctured tyres from flat after doing a temp plug repair (sometimes 2 or 3 times per shift)

Being one of those guys that is always looking for better performance I bought the 12ah battery and an open flow LockNflate air chuck (no need to modify the hose it screws straight on with a dab of blue Loctite Lock and Seal).

LockNFlate® Locking Air Chuck - Six Steel Jaws Lock onto Any tire Valve - Won't Leak or pop Off - Rated to 150 PSI - Open Flow : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

LockNFlate® Locking Air Chuck - Six Steel Jaws Lock onto Any tire Valve - Won't Leak or pop Off - Rated to 150 PSI - Open Flow : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

www.amazon.co.uk

I would recommend setting one of your pre-sets to 60psi for the temporary donut tyres, that's the one I use most helping out stranded motorists.

Make sure the hose is straight and not coiled to help with the cycling (it seems to get worse the colder it gets).

All in all it makes a great frustration free set up for mobile mechanics (if a little expensive)

I'm using it with the 6Ah battery that came with my impact gun. Seems to work just fine.

This is for personal use only, and I don't use "donut" spares. It's the real thing for me. As I spend a fair amount of my time driving on rough roads, snow and ice, being able to air down and re-inflate at need is what I'm looking for.

Our society has become too litigious to help out strangers without insurance specifically to cover it.

$40 for an air chuck gives me pause--even if it is the best.

 

[richfinn]

I'm using it with the 6Ah battery that came with my impact gun. Seems to work just fine.

This is for personal use only, and I don't use "donut" spares. It's the real thing for me. As I spend a fair amount of my time driving on rough roads, snow and ice, being able to air down and re-inflate at need is what I'm looking for.

Our society has become too litigious to help out strangers without insurance specifically to cover it.

$40 for an air chuck gives me pause--even if it is the best.

Honestly, I wish I had discovered LockNflate chucks years ago, I know it seems really expensive, but they are worth every penny, it's a solid bit of kit

 

[dave*99]

I'm using it with the 6Ah battery that came with my impact gun. Seems to work just fine.

This is for personal use only, and I don't use "donut" spares. It's the real thing for me. As I spend a fair amount of my time driving on rough roads, snow and ice, being able to air down and re-inflate at need is what I'm looking for.

Our society has become too litigious to help out strangers without insurance specifically to cover it.

$40 for an air chuck gives me pause--even if it is the best.

Amazon's choice is a $7.99 lock on chuck. I'll ask - has anyone here tried it?

 

[Beerhippie]

Amazon's choice is a $7.99 lock on chuck. I'll ask - has anyone here tried it?

The one I'm using was $14 at a local hardware store. It works well enough.

 

[Jokester]

Amazon's choice is a $7.99 lock on chuck. I'll ask - has anyone here tried it?

Can only laugh at Amazon's way of pushing items. Their 'choice' pitch simply indicates how many mindless fools buy into their mass produced garbage. I did find this on Scamazon and find it outstanding to use with my inflator...

Lightning S2X Quick-Connect Tire Inflator Air Chuck | JACO

Upgrade your portable tire inflator air compressor with our patented lock-on extension air chuck for attachment to tire inflator hose nozzles.

jacosuperiorproducts.com

​

 

[lovetap]

Whats the benefit of the LocknFlate? Is it to avoid threading onto the valve? I have the version for grease zerks and its great.

Another M18 inflator user, really beats alligator clamps on the battery. I use the basketball inflator tip for intricate dusting.

 

[pbon]

Yes, no need to thread on. Saves a little time. I prefer it to threading on, though sometimes I have to tighten it to stop a leak. I check tires several times a year on about 8 vehicles. If I just had a couple of cars then I would wonder why people needed the convenience, but having done it both ways hundreds of times, I know.

 

[dave*99]

Can only laugh at Amazon's way of pushing items. Their 'choice' pitch simply indicates how many mindless fools buy into their mass produced garbage. I did find this on Scamazon and find it outstanding to use with my inflator...

Lightning S2X Quick-Connect Tire Inflator Air Chuck | JACO

Upgrade your portable tire inflator air compressor with our patented lock-on extension air chuck for attachment to tire inflator hose nozzles.

jacosuperiorproducts.com

​

What is the distinction between Amazon Choice and Overall Pick?

 

[richfinn]

Whats the benefit of the LocknFlate? Is it to avoid threading onto the valve? I have the version for grease zerks and its great.

Another M18 inflator user, really beats alligator clamps on the battery. I use the basketball inflator tip for intricate dusting.

Yep, Less fiddling around in the dark/cold, Everytime you use a screw on fitting you are deflating the tyre slightly in my experience.

Like anything that's well made/engineered it's a little pricey, I'm ok with that if it's something I use constantly

 

[gjuser23]

One additional option for folks with both Schrader and Presta Valves is this combination from Jaco. I use it all the time on bicycle and vehicle tires and it is great. It doesn't "lock" on to the valve stem, meaning you've got to hold it there, but that's fine if you're just regularly topping them off which only takes a few seconds.

• Adapter: Lightning™ Air Inflator Adapter for Portable Tire Inflators (Schrader Valve to 1/4 inch M-NPT) | Open Flow
• Air Chuck: Lightning™ L3-Series Bike Tire Air Chuck - 1/4" F-NPT (Presta + Schrader Valves) | Open Flow (2 Pack)

The only issue I have with the M18 inflator is that it sometimes under-fills relative to the pressure I've specified in memory. I usually get close enough by taking the chuck off the valve stem for a second and connecting it one more time - I guess it reset some sensor in the inflator that tells it when it's "done."

 

[mobiledynamics]

Now that I've taken the time to RTFM, I see that Milwaukee calls the cycling a "feature". Got the three pressures programmed into the memory, with one bank left--I thought it only had three, but it has four. I'll have to buy another rig to use the forth one.

Threw the manual away--I'll never need it again and could have figured out the full function in a few minutes of fiddling around.

I don't think it cycles but more like over-inlates and just deflates a smidge to bring it to set PSI

 

[ddurrett896]

Love mine and would buy one right away if it ever broke. So convenient and always bring on road trips. Recommend 100%

 

[Beerhippie]

I don't think it cycles but more like over-inlates and just deflates a smidge to bring it to set PSI

Nope. It cycles. I was there.

Here's how Milwaukee describes it:



It goes through all those steps several times during filling. Maybe this is a new feature or maybe mine's defective. But I think it's intentional, as the pressure in the line is not the same as the pressure in the tire--you can see it stabilize each time it stops.

 

[Beerhippie]

I topped up the tires on my Toyota Corolla this AM, as I'd aired them down to 25 psi after the last snowstorm. Almost all snow and ice are gone from the roads now, and I don't want to run on dry pavement with them aired down.

Taking them from 25 to 32 with the QR adapter again resulted in the inflator cycling frequently. I decided to try a test, so removed the adapter and screwed the inflator directly onto the Schraders. No cycling. As I suspected, my adapter has too much restriction.

I'll have to come up with something else.

 

[LopezBart]

Taking them from 25 to 32 with the QR adapter again resulted in the inflator cycling frequently. I decided to try a test, so removed the adapter and screwed the inflator directly onto the Schraders. No cycling. As I suspected, my adapter has too much restriction.

I see this w/ mine on certain smaller tires that have very restrictive valve stems. It typically cycles once on larger tires for me.

 

[humpty]

I run the LockNFlate QR and mine will cycle a bunch sometimes on the first go round, then the rest of the tires it is fine.

I really do love mine though, I have even been able to set the bead on one side with mine when I swap TPMS sensors.

There has been the rare occasion where I have wished I cold set a pressure, hit go and it would inflate or deflate as needed.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Nope. It cycles. I was there.

Here's how Milwaukee describes it:



It goes through all those steps several times during filling. Maybe this is a new feature or maybe mine's defective. But I think it's intentional, as the pressure in the line is not the same as the pressure in the tire--you can see it stabilize each time it stops.

LOL. U made me RTFM now.
The only time I paid attention on the cycle was just as it was about to end set pressure. My visual/audible interpretation of it was that it went .5 up and then deflated back down....is what I was thinking it was doing all this time

 

[Beerhippie]

LOL. U made me RTFM now.
The only time I paid attention on the cycle was just as it was about to end set temp. My visual/audible interpretation of it was that it went .5 up and then deflated back down....is what I was thinking it was doing all this time

With my QR adapter removed, it sometimes seems to go higher than the setpoint, then back down a little--but other times it just nails it.

 

[Beerhippie]

I decided to repeat the experiment above without my DIY QR adapter.





There's a 0.5 psi discrepancy between the Milwaukee and the digital tire chuck I used as a pressure gauge and to air-down the tire



That works so well for airing down that I'm tossing one like it in my road tire bag.

I'll have to check them against my pressure gauge calibration rig.

 

[cgrutt]

Just picked one up and used it in Home Depot parking lot. Seems to work great but definitely needs a quick release chuck any recommendations? Something that screws onto hose fitting preferably.

 

[richfinn]

Just picked one up and used it in Home Depot parking lot. Seems to work great but definitely needs a quick release chuck any recommendations? Something that screws onto hose fitting preferably.

LockNflate open flow

 

[Beerhippie]

Just picked one up and used it in Home Depot parking lot. Seems to work great but definitely needs a quick release chuck any recommendations? Something that screws onto hose fitting preferably.

See my comments above. The two I've tried so far provided too much restriction to the airflow, resulting in the inflator constantly cycling on/off and taking too long to fill a tire. With the provided chuck, it just runs up to one or two pis high, then backs down to the set pressure.

Even removing the valve body from the original chuck didn't solve the problem.

I haven't tried a LockNFlate yet, but I'd probably get one with a barb fitting, cut the original chuck off and crimp the LockNFlate directly to the hose.

 

[cgrutt]

Going to give this a shot it was about $10. Harbor Freight chuck with adapter from Amazon...

 

[cgrutt]

Going to give this a shot it was about $10. Harbor Freight chuck with adapter from Amazon...

The HF chuck works but its a closed flow device so it holds pressure in inflator. I had attached adapter loosely so it bleeds off and ordered an open flow of similar design. This came as a two-pack for something like $12. Supposedly Milton but there are no markings on devices which I find a bit odd. The spring is much heavier than the HF so maybe its legit. Will try it out and see how it works. Not against buying the $40 version (LockNFlate) but only using this for my F150 not that concerned about precise accuracy haha.