Furious Pumping

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Discussion

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all

I'm on the lookout for a small pump so I can top up the air in various tyres without having to use a 1920s stirrup pump that has the same output as an asthmatic rodent. Naturally, after thirty seconds looking online, I'd gravitated up to a £500 petrol-powered compressor.

In reality, I just need a reliable little compressor pump. I now see that there's lots of Li-ion battery versions, rather than the old "plug it into the cigar lighter" variety. I'd planned on looking for a mains powered one, thinking it'd be easiest.

Has anyone had a go on a Li-ion battery-powered pump? Any good? Not sure about the budget, but was hoping to keep it reasonable. Although I also have no idea what reasonable is... hehe

Bill

53,083 posts

257 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all
Do you have any other battery tools? As it makes sense to stick with batteries you have if possible. If not then I recommend the Makita LXT 18v pump. No leads to faff about with, no need to move cars near compressors or main power.

dudleybloke

19,991 posts

188 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
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Drogo

721 posts

219 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all
I got one of these recently after having two 12v plug in ones fail.
As I'm invested in Makita it seemed like a no brainer.
It works well and I'm pleased with it and happy to recommend.


https://makitauk.com/product/dmp180rt1j

EyeHeartSpellin

669 posts

85 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
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Ryobi do a good one but it only makes sense if you have other one+ tools.

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all

Great shout on the "matching my tools" front, but all my tools are DeWalt and they seem not to make one. frown

jfdi

1,074 posts

177 months

Bill

53,083 posts

257 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all
That looks way more useful than the Makita version, albeit at twice the price.

Boosted LS1

21,190 posts

262 months

Sunday 1st August 2021
quotequote all
Bugger, I thought this thread was going to be exciting given it's title.

donkmeister

8,373 posts

102 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
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Possibly overkill and not as portable, but 12V air compressors with a 6-litre receiver are a thing. If the "various tyres to top-up" is more of a car club situation than wandering around your own drive with it then it could make sense. Also useful if you want to fit airhorns to your car later.

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
donkmeister said:
Also useful if you want to fit airhorns to your car later.
Now I want to fit airhorns to my car.

tapkaJohnD

1,950 posts

206 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
Sterillium,
Must it be an electric one? Halfords do a two barrel foot pump that does well, almost for pennies.
I bought one for Daughter's car, as she has a modern with no spare and had had a problem with a leak, rather than a flat tyre.
She found it easy and effective to use.
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/ty...

John

TEKNOPUG

19,046 posts

207 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/ty...

Just get one of these. Enough power to free rusted caliper pistons. Auto cut off. I've had one for about 5 years without any issue. You can buy a fancy pressure gauge if exact pressures are vital. I'm not sure what you would gain by spending anymore, unless you need to inflate tyres on cars with dead batteries....

InitialDave

11,992 posts

121 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
Also, you can get adaptors to put different batteries and tools together. I normally use Dewalt, but have adaptors to put the batteries on some cheap Makita-pattern tools.

A 12v basic pump for emergencies and a small mains compressor for home use is your best value option, though.

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
tapkaJohnD said:
Sterillium,
Must it be an electric one? Halfords do a two barrel foot pump that does well, almost for pennies.
I bought one for Daughter's car, as she has a modern with no spare and had had a problem with a leak, rather than a flat tyre.
She found it easy and effective to use.
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/ty...

John
I know this is a good idea, but I also know that I want something/someone else to do all the work for me... hehe

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/ty...

Just get one of these. Enough power to free rusted caliper pistons. Auto cut off. I've had one for about 5 years without any issue. You can buy a fancy pressure gauge if exact pressures are vital. I'm not sure what you would gain by spending anymore, unless you need to inflate tyres on cars with dead batteries....
That looks fine to me - it's actually a bit more than a couple I've found that were also recommended. The reason I want cordless though, is so I can inflate tyres on wheels that aren't attached to cars, and inflate bike tyres. Unless I can find a push bike with a cigar lighter fitted. biggrin

Sterillium

Original Poster:

22,248 posts

227 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
...a small mains compressor...
My imagination said:
hehe

InitialDave

11,992 posts

121 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
Sterillium said:
InitialDave said:
...a small mains compressor...
My imagination said:
hehe
That's about the size of mine, though I went for a single compressor head to keep the power draw down.

TEKNOPUG

19,046 posts

207 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
Sterillium said:
TEKNOPUG said:
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/ty...

Just get one of these. Enough power to free rusted caliper pistons. Auto cut off. I've had one for about 5 years without any issue. You can buy a fancy pressure gauge if exact pressures are vital. I'm not sure what you would gain by spending anymore, unless you need to inflate tyres on cars with dead batteries....
That looks fine to me - it's actually a bit more than a couple I've found that were also recommended. The reason I want cordless though, is so I can inflate tyres on wheels that aren't attached to cars, and inflate bike tyres. Unless I can find a push bike with a cigar lighter fitted. biggrin
Can you push a bike within 6m of a car?

Bill

53,083 posts

257 months

Monday 2nd August 2021
quotequote all
Battery is so much less faff. No need to get the car keys, no turning it on and plugging it in, then passing it through the car to do the other side, then coming back round to the driver's door to switch it off.

Then having to go back inside because you forgot your wife's car keys.