Time to buy a new tire inflator

[zippster]

My 20 year old napa tire inflator with gauge gave up the ghost and napa no longer has replacement parts for it. I purchased a Rhino brand unit to replace it and it was total junk. That said, I have narrowed down to two brands that seem to be reputable. Lonacre and Milton industries.

Any concern with these brands? Any better options available?

 

[engineer2]

Which models? Do you prefer analog or digital? Both are reputable.

 

[zippster]

I've been eyeing the digital but not sure which ones would be most accurate.

 

[ptgarcia]

Take a look at Intercomp Racing. Made in USA from American and German parts, at least that's what they told me. I have one of their gauges and it's very nice.

 

[Gummi Bear]

I am very happy with my Milton S506. Had it for a few years, and it has been great.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[MFortie]

I was all set to buy one of the Intercomp gauges until I saw the $32 shipping charge!

Absolutely ridiculous!

OK -- Amazon has them with Prime shipping, so I ordered.

Still don't understand outrageous shipping charges...

 

[Gew]

A new NAPA perhaps? [emoji848]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NAPA-260-p...934773?hash=item1f0ccfdaf5:g:RhoAAOSwZ-Reailu

 

[johninct]

Blue-point digital!!! I can't read the old style type. I use it foe my snow blower to 10.00-20's.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I bought a Milton USA made S-530 digital inflator last November. I connected it to air and it leaked. From EVERYWHERE. I kid you not, every single junction of parts leaked. Badly. It was comically bad. I wasn't happy, but I was determined to fix it. It took a while, as disassembly/reassembly has to be done in a certain order due to design. In the process, I scratched the face of the gauge. I was pissed, but it wasn't leaking anymore.

I sent Milton a scathing email about it, including pictures, and someone eventually got back to me. It went up the corporate chain, and those emails were (likely accidentally) attached to the reply I got. All I wanted was a new gauge face. They sent a new gauge.

Now that it works properly, it's awesome and accurate. But I really should have just sent it back and moved on. YMMV.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

i use longacre and joes racing tire gauges at the track. both are accurate and affordable.

i read intercomp gauge has plastic housing with rubber boot over it.

i never trust gauges attached with air chuck, I always do final check with tire gauge.

 

[DHCrocks]

I have a Joes Racing one from 2014 and its still works great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ9BKGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

add on this locking chuck and its the perfect inflator.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZJYDQI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Gummi Bear]

I have a Joes Racing one from 2014 and its still works great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZ9BKGK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

add on this locking chuck and its the perfect inflator.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZJYDQI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I didn’t know Joes made an inflator. That’s pretty cool.

I have their low pressure gauge, that I use on ATV and UTV tires. Love that thing. So much easier than a pencil gauge for low pressures. 0-15 psi with bleeder.



I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately...

Henry David Thoreau

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

I've had an Astro for a couple of years now and have no complaints whatsoever. One of our shop mechanics had an issue with the over-braiding on the hose and Astro sent him a new hose within a couple of days.

 

[ezridr60]

Tried an Amflo 100, worked twice, then would not indicate pressure, sent it back. Now have a Matco, pricey, 3X the Amflo, but it works! Think it was around $95.

 

[engineer2]

Search the forum for other discussions on tire gauges.
In a nutshell:
Digital is generally more accurate and readable than mechanical.
Cheap digital and most mechanical gauges are generally throw away products.
Avoid dropping mechanical gauges.
I see a lot of Astro Pneumatic digital in tire shops these days.
±1 psi accuracy is plenty good for passenger car tires.
±2 psig is good too, as long as it's consistent.