Decent air chuck/ pressure gauge.

[N80]

For years I've been using one of those typical air compressor chucks with the white post that slides in and out to show you the pressure reading. The one I have has always had two problems. It has always been a little leaky and the pressure range that it reads out is like 0-200 psi. This means the scale is so small it is hard to read and it also means that making precise adjustments is nearly impossible. Now it is leaking badly and its hose is falling apart. Time for a new one.

So I am looking for one that is well made. I don't mind spending a little money. I would prefer that it be a double sided chuck as the valve stems on my tractor rears are on the inside of the rim. I would like the pressure gauge readout to be no more than 100 psi. The only thing I ever run over about 60 psi is my trailer tires at 80 and even they don't really need to be that high. At the racetrack I need to be able to make precise adjustments of 1-2 pounds on my car. I do have a high quality pressure gauge to get it just right.

So, what do you guys have that you like that meets my needs?

 

[joeyd]

Good question, I was wondering about this yesterday as I switched my wife's jeep over to her winter tires. I noticed that the gauge I was using had mostly plastic end caps and I had to check 3-4 times because it never sealed well. I was going to look at Napa today and see if they had any gauges that were better made. I would be interested in the groups comments also.

 

[N80]

I'm not talking about just a gauge. I'm talking about a gauge/chuck combo. But, speaking of gauges, I have found that virtually all of the pocket/stick gauges you can get these days are cheap, inaccurate and leaky. For a good, reliable, easy to use gauge for not a ton of money, look up Longacre tire gauges. They are the dial type with a short hose , come in various pressure ranges and are durable. Cheap dial gauges fall apart right quick.

 

[milkman]

Good luck, I went through several cheap ones till I found this one, about $40. It is accurate, but hard to get low pressure tires right, I run 8 to 10# in my zero turn.

[h=1]Milton MIL506 Dual Chuck Tire Air Wheel Inflator Gauge[/h]

 

[dickfoster]

For years I've been using one of those typical air compressor chucks with the white post that slides in and out to show you the pressure reading. The one I have has always had two problems. It has always been a little leaky and the pressure range that it reads out is like 0-200 psi. This means the scale is so small it is hard to read and it also means that making precise adjustments is nearly impossible. Now it is leaking badly and its hose is falling apart. Time for a new one.

So I am looking for one that is well made. I don't mind spending a little money. I would prefer that it be a double sided chuck as the valve stems on my tractor rears are on the inside of the rim. I would like the pressure gauge readout to be no more than 100 psi. The only thing I ever run over about 60 psi is my trailer tires at 80 and even they don't really need to be that high. At the racetrack I need to be able to make precise adjustments of 1-2 pounds on my car. I do have a high quality pressure gauge to get it just right.

So, what do you guys have that you like that meets my needs?

For any kind of gauge like that you typically want the range of intended reading to be about midscale for the best overall accuracy. This includes common Bourdon tube gauges, pencil gauges, etc. For low off road air pressures I have a pencil gauge just for taking low pressure readings that would be maxed out at street pressure. Also don't think the digital types are any more accurate than a good Bourdon tube type just because they have a digital readout, because they just aren't. The accuracy is dependant on the sensor, not the readout. Also sometimes like racing for example, repeatability and consistency is more important than the number itself. Who cares what the number is as long as it's the same for each reading on each tire and it's the same the next time you show up at the track. Bourdon tube gauges are typically a bit easier to read if the scale is right, a digital gauge is also easy to read if the pressure sensor is any good. Typically you get what you pay across all types if accuracy is your objective.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have one like you want that I got from Harbor freight. I cant say how accurate it is since I always use my digital gauge by Craftsman. It record in tenths of a pound. I only look at the gauge on the chuck to see if I am getting close, then finish up using the digital gauge. I like the super accurate Craftsman digital especially for low pressure tires like on my lawnmower where 1/2 pound difference will make the cut unlevel.
I don't ever really trust the sliding scale type with internal compression spring although they may work just fine. The digital gauge will repeat the pressure exactly every time and no problem discerning the fine lines

 

[Ford850]

I'd check on Amazon for the reviews of the gauge/chuck combos.
Regarding gauges, I have been fed up with some of the ones I have. The newer digital gauges are mostly a pita to use. They are not accurate, and they turn off after seconds. Then you have to cycle them back on, wait for them to set to 0, etc. Slime gauges are the worst IMO. But I've had a good gauge in my truck for over 10 years, that is freaking awesome. Simple to use with no on/off buttons. Push it on the stem and hold for a couple seconds and you get reliable, accurate, consistent results. LCD display instead of the LED or back lit junk that sucks down batteries. I finally found the same one at amazon a couple weeks ago but it has a different brand on it than may old one:
Amazon.com: Accutire MS-44B Pistol Grip Digital Tire Gauge: Automotive
I received it and was thrilled when I tested it compared to my old one on my tires.... both read the same , accurate to the half pound (with each other). My Slime digital was off by 4 lbs compared to these and to the old stick style.
Sorry to get side tracked on plain gauges, but finding a good, simple gauge is more difficult than it should be.

 

[dickfoster]

I'd check on Amazon for the reviews of the gauge/chuck combos.
Regarding gauges, I have been fed up with some of the ones I have. The newer digital gauges are mostly a pita to use. They are not accurate, and they turn off after seconds. Then you have to cycle them back on, wait for them to set to 0, etc. Slime gauges are the worst IMO. But I've had a good gauge in my truck for over 10 years, that is freaking awesome. Simple to use with no on/off buttons. Push it on the stem and hold for a couple seconds and you get reliable, accurate, consistent results. LCD display instead of the LED or back lit junk that sucks down batteries. I finally found the same one at amazon a couple weeks ago but it has a different brand on it than may old one:
Amazon.com: Accutire MS-44B Pistol Grip Digital Tire Gauge: Automotive
I received it and was thrilled when I tested it compared to my old one on my tires.... both read the same , accurate to the half pound (with each other). My Slime digital was off by 4 lbs compared to these and to the old stick style.
Sorry to get side tracked on plain gauges, but finding a good, simple gauge is more difficult than it should be.

Remember regardless of what kind of gauge you have or buy, getting one scaled properly for the intended range of pressures is most important for decent accuracy. A 200 lb gauge is gonna have crappy accuracy compared to a 20 lb gauge at 10 PSI regardless and it will typically be easier to read at that 10 lb pressure.

 

[N80]

Agreed about digital. I like the readout but they need batteries, most are sensitive to moisture, the cheaper one's screens tend to fade. I ruined a cheap one when I checked my rear, filled tractor tires. The valve stem was on top but still injected water into it.

My range is between about 20 pounds in tractor tires and 80 pounds in trailer tires. I need most precision in the 30-40 pound range for my track tires. Agree that absolute accuracy is not the issue. Consistency is. I'll look into the ones recommended above and report back when I find something decent.

Also agree that I use the gauge on the chuck to get in the ballpark and then my Longacre dial gauge to get it just right. On my current chuck gauge 30 psi means it comes out only about 1/4 inch and you can't even read it there.

 

[flyerdan]

Gotta agree with Milkman on the Milton, ebay has one for $38, 10-120 psi range so should be ideal for your needs.
I've had one for ages.