Air Compressor to Inflate Auto Tires?

PastTense · Jun 1, 2013

While I am sure most of you have big air compressors which operate a number of air tools, I am simply looking for something cheap, light, portable to occasionally inflate an automobile tire--yet doesn't take forever to inflate.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

RCStocker · Jun 1, 2013

Any small pancake compressor will work. There are low end and high end. I have 8 compressors and use a little pan cake for finish nailing and inflating things on the job such as trailer, carts, tractor, equipment and truck tires. It does not take long to inflate even with the cheap compressors. I would buy one of the major brands. Many of he off brand ones you will never be able to get parts for. The companies buy up parts cheap and then go to the next supplier for the next batch. They never have replacement parts. It is just like all the cheap off brand handy cap scooters. You can not get replacement parts. You get what you pay for. For $150 you should be able to get a good compressor. Some are a little more. Anything cheaper will work but if it breaks it is a through away.

BigDAC · Jun 1, 2013

My good friend just picked up a compressor from Harbor Frieght. It is Chicago Pneumatic 21 gallon 4.7 CFM @90psi, witch is better than Craftsman's equal compressor, it is inexpensive and has the power to run most air tools just in case you one day need to. The compressor has great reviews and I have used it and have only 2 minor complaints. 1. it is loud and 2. The QD that it comes equipped with is cheap(leaks a little when hose is attached) witch is a very simple and cheap repair. I see this compressor on sale all the time. I found a coupon that made the price 147 for my friend but I always see them in the ad for 159-179. I am a deal hunter and this is by far the best deal you can find on a good compressor.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower-21-gal-125-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html

kenfain · Jun 1, 2013

If you're only airing up tires. How about a cordless inflator. Mine takes only a couple minutes, and it's got a digital pre-set. Just leave it set for whatever pressure, hit the button, come back when it stops. If you've got a cordless drill. They probly make an inflator also. Mine's craftsman, $40.00. Good for occasional use. Just leave it in the truck. When you need it, it's handy. And it's nice and quiet. Not like those small compressors.

Winmon · Jun 1, 2013

I carry one of these in my trunk, plugs into your cigarette lighter for power..

http://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-i7000-12-Volt-Heavy-Duty-Inflator/dp/B001D5HP40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370119006&sr=8-2&keywords=goodyear+inflator

crewchief888 · Jun 1, 2013

a 110v pancake compressor will work.

i use mine for nailers, as an air tank for inflating tires on my riding mower (after winter storage) and on 4x4 off road trips, i toss it in the back of my tow rig, along with a generator and welder.

:beer:

Danglerb · Jun 2, 2013

Just for tires I use a C3 Craftsman inflator because it was on sale and I wanted a C3 impact so I already had the battery and charger.

Otherwise I would have bought the HF 12v $25 on sale inflator, basically a copy of $75 design, gets good reviews and pumps faster than most small ones.

Zelatore · Jun 2, 2013

Winmon said:
I carry one of these in my trunk, plugs into your cigarette lighter for power..

http://www.amazon.com/Goodyear-i7000-12-Volt-Heavy-Duty-Inflator/dp/B001D5HP40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1370119006&sr=8-2&keywords=goodyear+inflator

I've got a cheepo HF version of that thing I used to take to the track to adjust pressures. Only good for tires, but I confess I've even used it at the house once or twice instead of dragging 50' of hose out from the real compressor to reach a tire in the driveway.

Not great, but WAY better than any of the battery powered jump start/tire inflation boxes I've ever used.

Mohawk Dave · Jun 2, 2013

What part of the country are you in? I/We can look on CL and maybe point you in some optional directions.

If you're cool with it, you can buy high end used for the price of lesser quality new. I do. Cheers.

j.c.whitney · Jun 2, 2013

Noticed Sears has a small oilless (noisy) 20 gallon @ $99 for Fathers Day. More useful (to me) than the little 12v portable tankless. Older compressors can be found and bought on Craigs with patience and luck.

bczygan · Jun 2, 2013

This, or a similar HF goes on sale for &39.99. Good enough.

Danglerb · Jun 3, 2013

The three tire fillers of HF, sale prices around $6, $25, and $50. Benefit, they are SMALL and work.

Ad13 · Jun 3, 2013

BigDAC said:
My good friend just picked up a compressor from Harbor Frieght. It is Chicago Pneumatic 21 gallon 4.7 CFM @90psi, witch is better than Craftsman's equal compressor, it is inexpensive and has the power to run most air tools just in case you one day need to. The compressor has great reviews and I have used it and have only 2 minor complaints. 1. it is loud and 2. The QD that it comes equipped with is cheap(leaks a little when hose is attached) witch is a very simple and cheap repair. I see this compressor on sale all the time. I found a coupon that made the price 147 for my friend but I always see them in the ad for 159-179. I am a deal hunter and this is by far the best deal you can find on a good compressor.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-horsepower-21-gal-125-cast-iron-vertical-air-compressor-67847.html

Chicago pneumatic vs Central Pneumatic
Huge difference

garyhgaryh · Jun 3, 2013

Do you have Craftsman's C3 or Nextec tools?

If so, these might be a good solution:

Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Inflator - Tools - Air Compressors & Air Tools - Inflators

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 VOLT Inflator - Tools - Air Compressors & Air Tools - Inflators

I have both, but haven't touched the nextec yet since the C3 compressor works so well.

If not, any of the HF solutions would work. I esp like the pancake compressor for $39 (sale price if you catch it, otherwise it's $49 on sale).
Gary

bluecomputer · Jun 3, 2013

If you want a compressor powered buy a car I would avoid the cheapest harbor freight compressor. Theses have turned up in all sorts of rescue kits and are only good if you get stuck and need to inflate a tire. I doubt that they will hold up at all.
For a 120v powered compressor get one with wheels or put it on a platform. I have a small Husky with wheels and the wheels make it much easier to handle if I'm outside on a driveway etc. It also comes with the inflation adapters and storage. I did have to buy one coupler but that was it.

Danglerb · Jun 3, 2013

Cheap yellow one is cheap, slow, and not very durable, plus the usual HF infant mortality issues so be sure to check it out immediately, not store until 90 days is up and get a bad surprise.

Any regular use and buy one of the better ones, but I would still be a LONG way from getting the $40 pancake, lots of bad reviews.

bull_duck · Jun 3, 2013

If you are in North Florida and can pick up, I will sell you mine. Used only a few times.

Craftsman 1.5 Gallon Portable Air Compressor with Hose
Sears Item# 00915309000 | Model# 15309

Ign · Jun 23, 2013

garyhgaryh said:
Do you have Craftsman's C3 or Nextec tools?

If so, these might be a good solution:

Craftsman C3 19.2 volt Cordless Inflator - Tools - Air Compressors & Air Tools - Inflators

Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 VOLT Inflator - Tools - Air Compressors & Air Tools - Inflators

I have both, but haven't touched the nextec yet since the C3 compressor works so well.

Found this in search since I'm also curious about the Nextec 12V inflator. Thing is most of the time I'd be doing load range E truck tires or trailer tires, and quite possibly up to 80psi if I'm on the road and have a problem. Highly skeptical the cordless inflator will like that, I think they're intended for the average passenger car at ~32psi.

JJThrasher · Jun 23, 2013

Ign said:
Found this in search since I'm also curious about the Nextec 12V inflator. Thing is most of the time I'd be doing load range E truck tires or trailer tires, and quite possibly up to 80psi if I'm on the road and have a problem. Highly skeptical the cordless inflator will like that, I think they're intended for the average passenger car at ~32psi.

It claims its good up to 200 psi. You can always do an on board air setup. My buddy did one on his car, two 1 gallon tanks under the car next to the spare tire well, a small compressor in the spare tire well, and a quick disconnect under the bumper. He was only into it $150 in the end.

Ign · Jun 23, 2013

JJThrasher said:
It claims its good up to 200 psi. You can always do an on board air setup. My buddy did one on his car, two 1 gallon tanks under the car next to the spare tire well, a small compressor in the spare tire well, and a quick disconnect under the bumper. He was only into it $150 in the end.

Eh, then it's dedicated to that vehicle and not portable. I've done York OBA's plenty (which is the only way I'd go personally if truly doing OBA). This is a different need.

Anyone else have input on the Nextech 12V inflator? Reviews online are mostly positive but one guy claims he killed it at 95psi, which is excessive for what I'd be doing but at 80psi I'm in that ballpark. Toolguyd has one sentence saying they used it and it "worked well."

Air Compressor to Inflate Auto Tires?

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