Tire Inflator

[gdocktor3]

Today I aired up a low tire and 3 different gauges all read differently. In 5 psi increments. So, I decided I'd like to buy a NON digital inflator/gauge combo. I did the research and the Milton S-516 seems to be a favorite around here, but it does have more than its fair share of 1 and 2 star ratings on Amazon. I see the Milton S-506 has mostly 4 and 5 star reviews. Is the locking head the only difference?? Both are made in USA and under $50, which I really like. I'm just curious if there are any others that fall into the USA made and under $50 category? Or other brand name's under $50?

 

[rlitman]

Neither looks to have a locking head when I look on Amazon.
The S-516 has a straight forward tip, while the S-506 is only angled.

 

[gdocktor3]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AXC24/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Second point bulletin down is what I meant
* Offers lock on threads for convenience

I'm most likely going to remove that head and put a stubby chuck on. I'm just wondering if there are any other difference's quality wise. They appear to have same bodies and gauges, hose, etc.

 

[Bcomp]

Milton inflators with guage are always good. I just picked up a Campell Hausfield inflator with guage for $12. Its quality is incredibly good. Except for the hose is a bit stiff. They sell them at walmart for $20. Decent inflator,good quality,and has a bleed button on it as well as the tip locking onto the valve stem. I compared it to two other guages including a milton and a Slime stick guage and all three guages were different but within 2lbs of each other.

image upload

 

[rlitman]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AXC24/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Second point bulletin down is what I meant
* Offers lock on threads for convenience

I'm most likely going to remove that head and put a stubby chuck on. I'm just wondering if there are any other difference's quality wise. They appear to have same bodies and gauges, hose, etc.

Ah. It's not a real lock-on head. It has oversized threads that kind of grip the valve if you let it hang, but release if you pull it straight off. Not like a real lock that has a release lever.

From the answered questions, the S-516 is 0-160PSI, and the straight chuck is made to be used on the inner wheels of trucks. The S-506 is 0-120PSI, and is more general purpose.

 

[notlob]

This is my favorite, made in Oz I think.

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB605-Inflator-Gauge-Braided/dp/B0036ULEV0?th=1

 

[6PTsocket]

Today I aired up a low tire and 3 different gauges all read differently. In 5 psi increments. So, I decided I'd like to buy a NON digital inflator/gauge combo. I did the research and the Milton S-516 seems to be a favorite around here, but it does have more than its fair share of 1 and 2 star ratings on Amazon. I see the Milton S-506 has mostly 4 and 5 star reviews. Is the locking head the only difference?? Both are made in USA and under $50, which I really like. I'm just curious if there are any others that fall into the USA made and under $50 category? Or other brand name's under $50?

I have Milton. I don't feel it is particularly accurate. What it is is durable so it is good for heavy duty use. They are calibrateable. There is an adjustment under the end cap. Most stuff is imported. Astro Pneumatic makes an analog that they call the TPMS model because it is accurate enough to verify proper operation of a TPMS system. Unless you spend BIG bucks, don't expect better than + or - 1 psi. Resolution (the divisions on a gauge) is not the same as accuracy , which always several times worse. This fact is often glazed over when they often pass resolution off as accuracy. I have neither but the Blue point and The AP are well regarded digitals if you want to go that way.

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[gdocktor3]

From the answered questions, the S-516 is 0-160PSI, and the straight chuck is made to be used on the inner wheels of trucks. The S-506 is 0-120PSI, and is more general purpose.

Wrong. The angled head is for duallies. The "bottom" side of the angled head is used to reach through the rims of a dually and hook onto the air valve, which is facing the rear end (away from you).

 

[Canyon56]

I went with a separate inflator and tire gauge.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0055EFTWU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PZ7L5O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FigureItOut]

I just went through this and wanted basically the same thing as you're wanting. I started looking at Milton but got the feeling their quality is slipping. I also noticed they don't give any accuracy specs.


Anyway I decided to go with Longacre but I went with digital because it was more cost effective in the accuracy, resolution and range I wanted. I already had that cheap Campbell Hausfield inflator gauge so I was going to just get a gauge head and swap it out, but for a few bucks more I got this Longacre gauge, with the boot, chuck and hose.


I put it together with quick couplers, and this locking chuck, which is just awesome and locks on extremely well. Then I have the original Longacre chuck, and the original CH chuck on different hoses.


For under $75, I've got an 0-100 PSI inflator gauge with 0.8% - 0.8lb accuracy, with a nice locking chuck, and two extra chucks for when there are access issues.

 

[454ragtop]

Not USA, but I have the Astro digital and love it. Been using one like Bcomp posted, except I replaced the gauge with a USA made gauge with a max reading of 60PSI, much better resolution for the pressures I work at. I also have a Milton and either a Blue Point or Snap On analog inflators, but the Astro is much more user friendly, and accuracy seems to match up to OEM TPMS.

 

[gdocktor3]

Again, NON digital.

 

[6PTsocket]

Again, NON digital.

The Astro TPMS is not digital.

Not USA, but I have the Astro digital and love it. Been using one like Bcomp posted, except I replaced the gauge with a USA made gauge with a max reading of 60PSI, much better resolution for the pressures I work at. I also have a Milton and either a Blue Point or Snap On analog inflators, but the Astro is much more user friendly, and accuracy seems to match up to OEM TPMS.

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[crab]

Best gauge is a pencil gauge, cost ya a couple bucks. I've got 5 or 6 around here, and by the way they all are within a couple lbs of each other.

 

[454ragtop]

Again, NON digital.

Sorry, I actually read your post and knew you didn't want digital, but since the issue you seemed to be having was accuracy, thought I'd relay my experience. Good luck with the analog search, let us know if you find one more accurate than a good digital, don't think you will.

 

[454ragtop]

The Astro TPMS is not digital.



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??? the Astro inflator I have is #3018

 

[bob15]

Sorry, I actually read your post and knew you didn't want digital, but since the issue you seemed to be having was accuracy, thought I'd relay my experience. Good luck with the analog search, let us know if you find one more accurate than a good digital, don't think you will.

Just because it is digital doesn't mean it is more accurate. It allows you to read it better, but even your Astro is ±1.2 psi on the low end of the scale, so no it isn't absolute either.

Best accuracy is done with a stand-alone tire pressure gage and an air bleed valve to lower the tire pressure to a desired level.

 

[WhiffySpark]

1.2 psi isn't going to matter unless it's a drag car

 

[6PTsocket]

Just because it is digital doesn't mean it is more accurate. It allows you to read it better, but even your Astro is ±1.2 psi on the low end of the scale, so no it isn't absolute either.

Best accuracy is done with a stand-alone tire pressure gage and an air bleed valve to lower the tire pressure to a desired level.

I don't see what difference it makes with any gauge that has a pipe thread. The quality of the gauge itself, determines the accuracy. The inflator and bleed valve have nothing to do with it. If you put a hundrd buck Steelman on an HF inflator you will get 100 buck accuracy. Some of the better gauges are sold with or without an inflator.

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[todd_fuller]

I bought a stand-alone, high accuracy 0-100 PSI gauge and made my own. Gauge is ±0.25% full-scale which is ±0.25 PSI maximum. $50 on eBay plus a blow gun and misc. parts from a HF parts inflator. Not a lot off-the-shelf unless you want to pay $$$.

 

[foompla]

1.2 psi isn't going to matter unless it's a drag car

itll matter if you have a tpms problem

 

[WhiffySpark]

No it won't. They generally aren't that sensitive.

 

[FigureItOut]

Again, NON digital.

I acknowledged that in my post, what I was getting at was that you could use the same strategy to put together an accurate inflator for a very good price. Longacre sells just the gauge heads both air and liquid filled analog. Even the $20 ones have decent accuracy ratings and have the standard NPT threads to put on whatever cheap inflator you want, or you could even just add a ball joint and bleeder valve.

 

[619DioFan]

I have been using the amflo 150 for decades. 10-90 psi this model holds up well. 22.00 on amazon. tried a Milton ( did not care for it ) I don't own any digital type inflators. I do have a good quality quage style pressure reader. the reading on the amflow inflator always seems to be very close to the reading on the pressure tester.

 

[johninct]

Last year I got a Blue-Point digital tire inflator and I love it. It works good and is easy to read. I tested the Blue-Point against a master gauge air chamber thing that I made up and it is spot on. I also have the Snap-On analog inflator and hate it. It is hard to read and I am sure I am off a few PSI just trying to read it.

 

[s14kev]

Definitely not made in Oz. Definitely made in China.

This is my favorite, made in Oz I think.

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB605-Inflator-Gauge-Braided/dp/B0036ULEV0?th=1

 

[6PTsocket]

I bought a stand-alone, high accuracy 0-100 PSI gauge and made my own. Gauge is ±0.25% full-scale which is ±0.25 PSI maximum. $50 on eBay plus a blow gun and misc. parts from a HF parts inflator. Not a lot off-the-shelf unless you want to pay $$$.

Sounds like a great deal. What kind if gauge was it? Was it a one shot or an ebay store with stock?

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[atikovi]

So where or how can you test the accuracy of a gauge?

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Definitely not made in Oz. Definitely made in China.

I've been looking for one like that... I thought our old one was a Milton, but they don't offer something like that. I wondering if it was a bayonet style with a gauge threaded in-place of the "stick" mechanism.

 

[vettex2]

1.2 psi isn't going to matter unless it's a drag car

or any other type of race car.

 

[L.Cheapo]

So where or how can you test the accuracy of a gauge?

The Accu-Gage M series I bought is calibrated and certified. And if its accuracy is ever in question, the mfr will repair/recalibrate it for $3. No it wasn't cheap, but its accurate, USA made, and I'll never need to replace it.

Personally, I've never met an inflator/gauge combo that was accurate enough for my liking.

 

[gdocktor3]

Considering how little I'll use it, I'd rather not have to deal with a dead battery when the time comes I do need to use it.

 

[Dave455]

I find that the digital ones never seem to last long, and the type with the fixed scale and moving pointer always seem to get very inaccurate after a year or two!

Only solution I've found is to get the proper tool for the job, as usual! For me this is a British made PCL much like the one shown!

These are decently made, and the way they work with a moving scale is much more rugged than the moving pointer type. You find these at most British petrol stations, so if they put up with that sort of throwing around they'll work well at home!

Don't know if there is distribution in the U.S. and doubt you'll get one for $50, but they're not stupid expensive.

 

[atikovi]

I find that the digital ones never seem to last long

I've had one like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/iTavah-LCD-...ash=item360e357b2c:g:MI8AAOSwA3dYRi-S&vxp=mtr for over 10 years now and still works great.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I find that the digital ones never seem to last long, and the type with the fixed scale and moving pointer always seem to get very inaccurate after a year or two!

Only solution I've found is to get the proper tool for the job, as usual! For me this is a British made PCL much like the one shown!

These are decently made, and the way they work with a moving scale is much more rugged than the moving pointer type. You find these at most British petrol stations, so if they put up with that sort of throwing around they'll work well at home!

Don't know if there is distribution in the U.S. and doubt you'll get one for $50, but they're not stupid expensive.

We have 4 of those at work. They hold up very well. We paid $50 but I don't know what retail is

 

[sberry]

I agree with the little pencil buggers. I have a master I check against and several inflators including snaps and they are terrible for consistency. Seems every other week they read different.
The big block has a Schrader on it.

 

[Rustypigeon]

I have been using the amflo 150 for decades. 10-90 psi this model holds up well. 22.00 on amazon.

Another vote for the Amflo 150. I bought mine a few months ago and I really like it. It seems durable and reads within 1 psi of my other gauges.

 

[6PTsocket]

??? the Astro inflator I have is #3018

The one Astro calls the TPMS is the analog #3082.

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