Milwaukee M18 Tire Inflator Thoughts?

[kngelv]

I'm seriously looking at getting one of the new Milwaukee 18V Tire Inflators for topping off my truck's tires and taking it with me when dirt biking. At home I have to wheel the compressor around and then and fill and drain the tank each time and obviously it's not as mobile as one of these. Has anyone picked one of these up yet and if so, how do you like it? Is the built in gage fairly accurate? Thanks.

James

 

[signcrafter]

I have the m12 inflator and it works good. I would assume the m18 does also but dont have experience with it. I think when they first came out i looked at them and thought I would rather just get the m18 air compressor to be more versatile.

 

[LXCam]

It’s the best money you’ll ever spend. I bought one a couple months ago right before our move and between multiple trucks and trailers that thing got used constantly. Just the fact you can set it and forget it makes it worth the price of admission.

 

[vavet]

Santa brought me one of the Ridgid inflators because that's the battery platform I'm in. I went around Xmas day and set the tire pressure on 3 bikes, 2 cars, 1 wheelbarrow, and a partridge in a pear tree.

I thought of them as being kinda gimmicky, but it is super convenient, compared to dragging out the compressor air hose, bringing each vehicle close enough, figuring out how to route the air hose to reach each wheel, and eveything else.
I think it's permanent home will be in my car.
It will run off either the 18V power tool battery or it has a 12V DC power port (cigarette lighter) adapter. Not sure if the Milwaukee has that feature or not.

Bottom line: the convenience factor of the inflator is awesome!

 

[ZX3ST]

I've had the 12V version for while now. It's main purpose was to make pressure adjustments to car tires while at the race track. Secondary benefit was for the truck/trailer. My only real gripe was run time. It didn't take long for it to get HOT, especially when operating at higher pressures (over say 40psi).

I picked up the 18V version a couple months ago. Absolutely among my top favorite tools. My first use, it crammed +12psi into a LT truck tire in less than 2 min. I was amazed. Worth every penny they're charging for it.

Gauge is accurate enough for anything street driven. For my track car, I usually put an extra 1psi on it and bleed down manually with my tire gauge. The M18 version has some logic built-in that accounts for the pressure drop across the hose/valve so it doesn't tend to under-inflate like the M12 version does.

As with other high draw tools, the battery you use makes a difference. It will eat a regular 5.0 pretty quickly. I use the HO 8.0 in mine and it's good to go for a road trip.

I also keep a corded Viair inflator in the truck just in case.

 

[pbon]

The M18 inflator is great. The M12 gets the job done but takes a while if it is more than a few psi and might actually have duty cycle issues if asked to pump a truck tire from flat.

The Ryobi 1 gallon 18V might also be worth looking at.

 

[PipesTA]

Santa brought one for me as well. Great addition to the M18 fleet. I just added the LockNFlate quick chuck for the ease of topping off tires.

LockNFlate® Locking Air Chuck

Locks on—Stays On—Won’t Leak Like no other air chuck on the market, the LockNFlate's six steel jaws lock on to any Schrader valve to create a secure, hands-free connection. The heavy-duty construction is built to last and stand up to everyday use in even the busiest tire shops, service bays, and...

locknlube.com

 

[Odd-job]

While I was considering the M18 inflator initially I ultimately went with the compressor instead for the increased versatility. Portable enough (especially when I throw it a wheel barrow) and when topping up 65 psi tires 5-10 psi has enough guts to keep up with my Milton inflator at least while I fumble around and move to the next tire. I keep it charged pretty much all of the time and periodically drain the tank. Have an M12 inflator which is has been largely relegated to pumping up balloon, balls, and for emergency use.

 

[compaddict]

How does the LockNFlate attach to the hose? I have been looking at it...
TIA,
Vince

 

[dave*99]

I have the M12. Works great. Bought it long before the M18 came out. I got my son the M18 for Christmas. Found it on sale at Home Depot. $199 for 2 M18 5.0 batteries and a charger. Inflator was free. Great deal.

 

[Old Mechanic]

I have the M12 and am a fellow dirt biker. Get it and don't look back, you will love it.

 

[PipesTA]

How does the LockNFlate attach to the hose? I have been looking at it...
TIA,
Vince

Attaches with this adapter.

Tire Inflator Adapter

Precision machined tire inflator adapter allows you to easily connect the LockNFLate Air Chuck to any inflator or pump with a screw-on or other female Schrader valve connection such as the Milwaukee M18 Inflator and others. Spec: 1/4 NPT (m) to standard Schrader valve (m) [VG8/8V1 valve threads]...

locknlube.com

 

[Komet]

I have the M18, it's great, fast, and accurate to 0.5psi to my accutire digital gauge.

I recommend it, especially if you're pushing a lot of air or high psi like truck tires.

 

[compaddict]

LockNFlate ordered!

 

[pwschuh]

I love my M18 Inflator as well. But I have found that it over-inflates by a few pounds. Always double check with an accurate hand gauge before you walk away. Still highly recommended.

 

[Firebrick43]

I have the M18, it's great, fast, and accurate to 0.5psi to my accutire digital gauge.

I recommend it, especially if you're pushing a lot of air or high psi like truck tires.

What is the max psi, ie will it do 120 psi truck tires?

 

[809]

Wouldn't a inflator that runs off the vehicle's electrical system be better? It will run as long as the vehicle has gas, while a battery powered one only runs till the battery runs out.

 

[rmanrman]

Wouldn't a inflator that runs off the vehicle's electrical system be better? It will run as long as the vehicle has gas, while a battery powered one only runs till the battery runs out.

I have the m18 tire inflator for about 3 months. Love it. Set pressure and forget it. Mine is accurate to .5 psi. I’ve got plenty of m18 batteries. My Toyota does not (???) have a 12 volt accessory port in the rear hatch area. Only between the seats in the center console
Getting the 12v cord to all the tires was a pita. Also if you’ve got a loaded wheel barrow with a low or flat the inflator is your best tool.

 

[Komet]

What is the max psi, ie will it do 120 psi truck tires?

It's rated up to 150psi but I don't have anything that goes up that high.

 

[Firebrick43]

It's rated up to 150psi but I don't have anything that goes up that high.

thank you

 

[ZX3ST]

Wouldn't a inflator that runs off the vehicle's electrical system be better? It will run as long as the vehicle has gas, while a battery powered one only runs till the battery runs out.

You’d think so, but they will melt long before that happens.

My M18 has a longer duty cycle than my backup that’s powered by cigarette lighter. And it runs for 1/2 the time. So it’s effectively at least 2x the utility.

Unless it’s a 100% duty cycle unit (uncommon), power source is pretty irrelevant these days.

 

[ZX3ST]

What is the max psi, ie will it do 120 psi truck tires?

Depends. Adding less than 10psi to only 1 tire? Sure.

Past that, you need a more robust unit in general. Heat builds quicker as pressure increases.

I’m quite happy with the M18 performance on typical LT tires. (80psi max)

 

[pbon]

What is the max psi, ie will it do 120 psi truck tires?

The M18 inflator is going to be marginal for that use, but should do the job if you are patient. More like a rarely used emergency type tool for a big 120 psi truck tire than a regular use tool. You would probably be happier with a small compressor that does 150 psi and has at least several times the CFM. The Ryobi 18v 1 gallon compressor maxes out at 120 psi. The much bigger much more expensive Milwaukee M18 compressor is 2 gallons and 150psi and would be a better choice.

 

[Walkers]

While the inflators are great, you don’t have to fill and drain your compressor every time. Also there is a product called ‘hose’ that is made so you don’t have to drag the compressor to the job.

 

[SARG]

I also bought the M18 unit awhile ago ( along with the majority of Milwaukee M18 tools ) and it has made checking pressure on three vehicles and five tractors much easier. No regrets.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Do you guys think this inflator would fill a portable air tank to 90psi? No real need, just a thought exercise.

 

[SARG]

Do you guys think this inflator would fill a portable air tank to 90psi? No real need, just a thought exercise.

My answer is YES.
But if you had an inflator the tank would not be necessary.

 

[LXCam]

Do you guys think this inflator would fill a portable air tank to 90psi? No real need, just a thought exercise.

I run my big enclosed trailer tires at 105 and it doesn’t have any issues doing it. But it’d take a while, that’s for sure.

 

[dave*99]

While the inflators are great, you don’t have to fill and drain your compressor every time. Also there is a product called ‘hose’ that is made so you don’t have to drag the compressor to the job.

This is GJ. Get both.

Last week I did a brake job on my truck - which was on the lift in the garage... Next to the compressor and air hose on a retractable hose reel. The air hose has a Milton gauge and inflator/chuck on the end of it.. Very convenient.

After rotating the tires, I wanted to top them all off to the correct pressure.
I grabbed the M12 inflator. Set the pressure and let it run. It just seemed easier. I'd buy the M18 if I didn't already have the M12. Hell, I may still buy the M18.

 

[pbon]

I have had the M12 for a few years and it gets the job done. I bought an M18 inflator and like it a lot more. Have not used the M12 since so I will probably take it to the second home and leave it there.

 

[davethorik]

Just got one yesterday. Used it to top off car tires and reinflate flat dolly tires. I like it so far.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I have the M12, love it, also bought one for my daughter's car

 

[kngelv]

Just wanted to update the thread. I picked up a Milwaukee 4 Tool kit at HD that came with two free tools and the M18 inflator was one of my choices. Just used it to inflate four tires on an old Ford Ranger that has been sitting about six months. Each wheel had about 19 pounds of air and I set the inflator to 35. I used a 6AH high output battery that still has four bars on it. It went quicker than expected and will suit my needs perfectly.

James

 

[RTUmark]

I have the 12 and the 18. For whatever reason, I find myself reaching for the 12 more

 

[californiamilleghia]

I have a Ryobi 18v inflator , it works good but is not very powerful ,

You are probably going to buy whatever other battery tools you use ,

Hopefully the guy who reviews tools on YouTube will see which one is better...

 

[Beerhippie]

Dead thread, I bid you ARISE!

I'm looking to get a tire inflator for my Vanagon project. I'm looking at the model 2848-20 C55. Any thoughts? I'm seeing prices all over the place for the bare tool.

 

[willf650]

They are available as the free tool in a deal on a regular basis if you want to wait a month or so.

I have it and it probably is one of my top M18 tools I have. No regrets buying it and it works very well.

 

[pbon]

Around $130 bare tool but maybe someone knows of a better deal. I love mine and I have the M12 inflator, M18 compressor, M18 inflator, 2 portable 120V compressors and a 60 gallon 240V. The M18 inflator is what I use 95% of the time for tires even though I have all the others. And it is the one I throw in the trunk for road trips along with an M18 impact, 1.5 tin aluminum jack and spare wheel.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I have both as well.....went to use my M12 (which I hardly ever) as I wanted to discharge my battery for storage....

I gotta say, without doing a formal test, the M18 for sure is a faster inflator....it was noticeable

 

[mattstevens]

Similar experience to others here, the M18 has been great and seems to reliably get within 0.5 psi of the target. I put a Jaco Lightning chuck on it and use it more than my fancy inflator gauge.