Good compressor to inflate tires?

[MagicMarker]

Looking for suggestions on a good compressor to inflate tires... I don't plan on buying any tools....

Need some direction as I don't want to buy the cheapest one, but certainly not the most expensive.

 

[Racer_X]

For just airing up tires you want something small, light and portable like this one:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-ga...p-00915362000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

[Cyberbear]

Beware of going too small, a one hp should be the minimum, unless you want one of those cheap 12 volt cigarette lighter types sold everywhere. They work but take forever and some get real hot when run for long periods while filling a tire.

 

[JJThrasher]

How often do you inflate your tires? If you only want a pound here or there you would be fine with a little tire inflator. If you're filling flat tires often then a little 5 gallon would be better suited.

My father uses something like this for adding air to tires when needed.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-120-Volt-Inflator-HY120/202871788?keyword=Husky+120-Volt+Inflator

It works, a bit slow if you need a lot of air.

 

[matt_i]

My Dad has a Porter Cable ovaloid tank 6 gallon iirc that seems good enough for that duty. Has had it probably 15-20 years now with no issues. Seems nice and portable if you ever needed it to be, or just set stationary and run with hoses.

 

[99LeCouch]

A little pancake compressor should fit the bill. Buy on price since they're basically all made in the same factory in China.

 

[BD1]

Once you have a compressor you wonder why you didn't have one sooner. As for tools, you may just find yourself getting a 1/2'' impact some day. You know you want one. So, I would definitely buy a more then you need one. You could always set it under the garage work bench out of the way. It's handy for cleaning shop vac filters too . Choose wisely.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Beware of going too small, a one hp should be the minimum, ...

Oh please ! OVERKILL with someone else's money !!!

My father uses something like this for adding air to tires when needed.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-120-Volt-Inflator-HY120/202871788?keyword=Husky+120-Volt+Inflator

It works, a bit slow if you need a lot of air.

Probably fine, unless you are blowing up a kiddie pool or rubber raft. Those thing get hot fast !

A 1/2 hp with a 3-6 gallon tank, that will reach 100psi, WILL run an impact gun/wrench. You might have to stop after a couple of lug nuts and let it catch up, but it WILL do the job.

The 12V ones are a real "**** shoot". There are a few good ones on the market, but they are $$$ !

 

[myredracer]

I bought a HF tire inflator (12 volt) a couple of years ago. Looked really nice and purdy on the shelf and was only around $10. Wanted one for our RV tires to top them up as needed. Didn't work at all, no way, no how. Ended up leaving it in a clubhouse at a campground for some other sucker... Now I know a lot more about 12 volt inflators.

A pancake compressor works fine for car and pickup tires. If you were to do a lot of it, maybe you could use a little inline air dryer and oil/water separator. These things make an annoyingly loud sound tho. (to me anyway).

There's lots of tire inflators out there, but many of them are really slooow and you should look at the specs closely. Buyer beware. If you wanted a 12 volt portable, Viair makes nice ones.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Now I know a lot more about 12 volt inflators.

Check out the ones that off-roaders use. Not cheap, but they actually work !

 

[6t7gto]

Craigslist

 

[pmiranda]

I use a little pancake compressor to fill a handheld 3 gal tank with a longacre inflator/gauage. Then I carry the 3 gal all around the garage to all the cars and bikes.
I've tried air ratchets and impacts but I can rarely fit them where I need to loosen suspension bolts and things that actually need the power so I gave up and just use handtools and an electric impact.

 

[vartz04]

What kind of vehicle? Tire sizes/inflation pressures makes some best of a difference here. My little 2 gallon is fine for adding a couple psi here and there to the mower or my wife's car but fills up in the middle of trying to add 5 psi or more to my trucks tires. I would say a 6 gallon pancake or hot dog compressor would be the ticket. It'll let you run a framing hammer (you never know) if needed.

My suggestion is the California air tools 6 gallon. It isn't cheap but it's super quiet

California Air Tools CAT-6310 Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free 1.0 Hp 6.3-Gallon Steel Tank Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00889ZYPQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dsimatt]

For just airing up tires you want something small, light and portable like this one:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-ga...p-00915362000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

My buddy has one of these and it works great for filling tires and is light enough to carry around easily...I almost bought one but went bigger to run tools off of.

 

[Bendibal]

I believe this Husky is on clearance at my two nearest Home Depots. It says it is quiet which would be nice if you are in the driveway of a neighborhood.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-6-Gal-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-4610A/205532432

 

[Dustball]

Looking for suggestions on a good compressor to inflate tires... I don't plan on buying any tools....

Need some direction as I don't want to buy the cheapest one, but certainly not the most expensive.

I don't think anyone has asked yet...

Are you looking for a 12v portable one to keep in your vehicle or a 120v compressor to keep in your garage/house?

A good 12v portable compressor is this one-

http://amzn.com/B000BM8RT8

I have that one and it does a decent job of inflating tires.

For one in the house, I have an older version of this one-

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-gal-2-hp-125-psi-twin-tank-air-compressor-60567.html

It's a small portable oiled compressor so it's not obnoxiously loud and the tank will allow you to run air nailers and a blow-off nozzle air gun.

I also have a 40 gal compressor as my main compressor but that's not what you're looking for.

 

[MagicMarker]

Looking for something that will just live in the garage.

 

[vartz04]

I believe this Husky is on clearance at my two nearest Home Depots. It says it is quiet which would be nice if you are in the driveway of a neighborhood.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4-6-Gal-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-4610A/205532432

This is a rebranded California air tools. Great deal.

 

[KaiYakCur]

http://www.lowes.com/pd_470445-40883-KL12DD___?productId=50137724&pl=1&Ntt=tire+inflators

Have used this for a few years now without trouble. It lives in my trunk and gets used once a month to top off my tires.

There are also ones that were a bit more expensive. They can be plugged in either to the wall or your car. If you need that flexibility. I just roll my window down and run my car while using it.