Which air chuck to buy?

[OurTown]

What air chuck w/gauge does everyone use on their air machines? I noticed that some are only rated for 90 psi and our JE Adams with Thomas compressor runs at 120 psi. Also can we use a 1/4" high pressure hose to prevent someone from cutting it and stealing the chuck? Do you guys red loctite it?

 

[Earl Weiss]

We use a 1/4" steel braid hose assembly from Kleen rite. This type of Chuck https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/39069000
"Open" means it does not hold pressure in Hose. That way compressor does not start under load.

 

[OurTown]

I think I have used those before but always thought they had a bad seal. We were thinking of one of those that had a gauge on it similar to what JE Adams put on it from the factory. Our compressor gets up to 120 psi and stays running but basically leaks out the back through a brass orifice the whole time. It bleeds off very quickly when the timer stops.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-2036-acme-tire-inflators-with-gauge.aspx

I'm not sure what the max psi is because some are only 90 and others are 120.

 

[OurTown]

Does this look like it would hold up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Milton-S-506-Dual-Head-Chuck-Tire-Inflator-Gauge-10-160-PSI-15-Hose/332573358895?epid=1830965024&hash=item4d6eeabb2f:g:y9cAAOSwf1xamdJq:sc:USPSPriorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!45424!US!-1


We don't know exactly what to expect because we have not had a tire inflator machine before. Unless someone says otherwise we will red loctite all threads. I'm sure someone could cut the 15" whip off of it though.

 

[chaz]

I just buy a standard rubber air hose (harbor freight or similar) and the red air chuck with gauge from KR. Never had any stolen...normal maintenance though of replacing hose and or chuck as needed. My “air machine” is fed off my main compressor with a solenoid and a flip switch on a vac. Same activation allows customers to switch between air or vac. Gets tons of use and I don’t feel bad about charging for air cause you can also vac. Do remember to clean the air chuck screen and solenoid regularly.....they do tend to clog and rust a bit.

 

[OurTown]

Thanks Chaz. Maybe I'm just being paranoid about the theft part. We don't really have issues at our wash. (as I knock on wood)

 

[MEP001]

Does this look like it would hold up?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Milton-S-506-Dual-Head-Chuck-Tire-Inflator-Gauge-10-160-PSI-15-Hose/332573358895?epid=1830965024&hash=item4d6eeabb2f:g:y9cAAOSwf1xamdJq:sc:USPSPriorityMailPaddedFlatRateEnvelope!45424!US!-1

That's what all the service stations used to have, and they held up to the abuse. I'd be surprised if they're still made like they used to be, but if price is an indicator it should be good.

 

[Earl Weiss]

FWIW I a had a business in the 1980's with a buddy who I sold out to where we installed air machines on a revenue sharing basis. They originally came with the gauge inflators. Machine decal even said "Free Air Check" Being throw on the ground, in the snow and run over was too much for them and a maintenance PITA. We eliminated them for plain chucks. I now have 5 in service at my places. No Gauges.

 

[OurTown]

Being throw on the ground, in the snow and run over

There's those concerns too.

 

[mjwalsh]

I think I have used those before but always thought they had a bad seal. We were thinking of one of those that had a gauge on it similar to what JE Adams put on it from the factory. Our compressor gets up to 120 psi and stays running but basically leaks out the back through a brass orifice the whole time. It bleeds off very quickly when the timer stops.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-2036-acme-tire-inflators-with-gauge.aspx

I'm not sure what the max psi is because some are only 90 and others are 120.

Our Town,

We have had good luck with the KR one. An almost identical one also could be bought from TSC (Tractor Supply Co) in our area.

We have a Cox non jerking hose retracting reel behind a wall which seems to make for much less of what Earl described. The reel was spendy. We waited for the right moment to buy at a discount from Greg Pack's Zoro tip offs.

www.kingkoin.com