Inflate tires by hand

[veloman]

Am I the only one who uses a bicycle floor pump (hand) to top off car tires? It can take a few minutes, and is a decent workout if you've slacked off and let your tires go down a lot. I spent about 15 minutes bringing all 4 tires from 26 to 40psi on my wife's car tonight. Good tricep workout. I feel stupid for letting her tires get that low.

I just rather not deal with gas station air compressors that usually just steal my money.

A home air compressor would work, but if that's all you need it for, I don't think it's worth it.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I've done it, but I like my compressor much better!

[RedDevil]

[Joggernot]

We have a new station with air that can be pre-set for your pressure. If you do it like their instructions you have plenty of time to fill the tires. Take off the caps before you put in your money; set the pressure; fill the tires. Done.

I just did this with the truck, which was making loud tire noise that normally wasn't there. Learned that the last shop that changed out the starter for me also lowered the tire pressure from 50 to 32 psi. Took $2 to fill back to 50 psi.

Don't get on me for not changing my own starter...I'm no longer able to do these simple things.

[user removed]

The pancake compressor I bought in 1998 for something like $60 is still working, even though I bought a replacement at a recent yard sale. Considering the two houses built with that same compressor and the $165k profit from the first house and the $130k in equity it created in the second house. I picked up one of those inflaters with the built in gauge, that allows me to precisely and quickly inflate all of my tires.

The $60 is long forgotten and paid off many thousands of times over. That old Porter Cable pancake, with an oil less compressor unit, simply continues to amaze me with it's durability and longevity. 20,000 nails? I lost count along time ago.

regards
mech

[UFO]

I found a compressor with a broken air fitting by my dumpster. Cost me $1.50 to fix it. Way cheaper and easier than a hand pump, no thank you.

[Vman455]

I use a hand pump too. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[redpoint5]

My dad gave me his old Sears compressor, and I consider it to be a necessary tool in any mans garage. I use it for inflating tires, removing lug nuts, painting, cleaning, nailing siding and roofing. It's so useful that I recently installed a hose reel so that I don't have to fuss with putting away tangled hose all the time.

Now that we're on the subject, how do I change the oil on this thing? Is it simply opening the lower bolt to drain, and filling from the upper bolt? What oil should I fill it with?

[tvbd56]

One thing I do like about California is that it's now law that all gas stations have to supply air and water free of charge. All you have to do is go inside and ask the clerk to turn on the compressor for you. Even though they still have the prices on the compressors, they're all free

[basjoos]

I use a hand pump to inflate my tires. Much quieter and less expensive than buying a compressor or popping quarters in a pump at a local gas station (which sometimes aren't working properly so you waste your money). I have an old Sears air compressor that I got for free from relatives that I repaired that I will occasionally use, but it is so much easier to pull out the hand pump than it is to pull out and plug in the heavy air compressor.