Inflating tires 100 years ago

[Restorer32]

Yet Harbor Freight does quite well selling junk tools.

[Curti]

Ya, I have read a few scathing reviews in Skinned Knuckles about the quality of their tools. 

[padgett]

And the first ship they bought resulted in a dispute.

[4Hud]

Hand pump to go. Simply mount on your runningboard.

[mrcvs]

Hand pump to go. Simply mount on your runningboard.

Now, I like that! I tend to appreciate vintage stuff more than anything, so that is right up my alley. Not much for plastic and junk with the dreaded "Made in China" label.

[mrspeedyt]

quite a number of years ago I got a Sears oiless compressor from a old neighbor in SoCal... probably 1967 (or earlier). has an open crankcase. but it only pressures to 44 psi . 25 years ago I bought a 5 hp 220 V 20 gallon compressor American-made debliss. both still work fine.

as far as pressuring... as long as you can reach the pressure... doesn't matter what compressor.

Edited January 1, 2016 by mrspeedyt (see edit history)

[Curti]

I consider my air compressor the most used and versatile tool in my shop. If it can be air-powered I have the tool. 

I guess, I could be called a tool junkie. 

[Larry Schramm]

I consider my air compressor the most used and versatile tool in my shop. If it can be air-powered I have the tool. 

I guess, I could be called a tool junkie. 

 

Me too.  I would be lost without a good compressor.

 

It is extremely versatile.

 

Just try to rebuild a carb and blowing out the passages with a drinking straw.  :-( 

 

Been there, done that, and never plan to do it again.

Edited January 1, 2016 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[carbking]

Fairly common by the mid-1930's in rural Missouri for farmers or shops to have an older engine with a split manifold and two-barrel carb where half the engine ran the engine, and the other half of the engine was a compressor. The two barrel was replaced by a one barrel for the engine, and a filter was placed on the other half of the intake carb attachment.

 

As for the manual air pumps, leather washers were available at the hardware store, and easy to replace. I have replaced more than one.

 

One comment on modern tools: it only takes one trip to the emergency room to "unsave" all the money "saved" on cheap tools. Better tools that are used and in well-cared-for condition are a much better buy.

 

Jon.

Edited January 4, 2016 by carbking (see edit history)

[Paul Dobbin]

Own a good air compressor or work to hard.  My air tool rack holds 21 hand air tools.  Then there are several sizes of sand blasters and bead cabinets, framing & brad nail guns, etc,etc.  Why?  Because there is more to do with air pressure than fill my 72 pneumatic tires.

I even keep a small $39 Harbor Freight one in my wife's garage for small projects at the house,  An as a matter of fact it stays pressurized 24/7/365, ready for action, has for 5+ years.  Quality?  I'd say yes for $39, it is great.