Foot pumps

[Feathers McGraw]

Any recommendations for a decent foot pump which will last more than a few times? I like to keep one handy in the garage in case a tyre needs a small topping up, just quicker than digging the 12v compressor out and connecting it up. All the modern ones appear to be made of cheese and the cylinder and piston rod end up at an angle and jamming it.

 

[Turboman]

Any recommendations for a decent foot pump which will last more than a few times? I like to keep one handy in the garage in case a tyre needs a small topping up, just quicker than digging the 12v compressor out and connecting it up. All the modern ones appear to be made of cheese and the cylinder and piston rod end up at an angle and jamming it.

Try lubricating the bearing parts with engine oil before every use. Makes the metal ones last much longer.

The plastic ones are quite good, either the single or twin barrel variants.

 

[8ha]

I have got twin cylinder Michelin with machinacl pressure gauge not to bad for price but you have to tighten up rivets some times they should have used through bolts

 

[Feathers McGraw]

Try lubricating the bearing parts with engine oil before every use. Makes the metal ones last much longer.

Tried that but the problem seems to be the cylinder and connecting rod to the piston end up getting slightly out of true and the hole in the pressed tin end cover becomes oval and it gets worse very quickly. My dad had a very old and heavy one with a proper end plate with a bushed hole but I think he binned it for a lighter one.

I saw that one on Halfords website and wondered about it, will have to pop in a have a good look.

 

[Turboman]

Tried that but the problem seems to be the cylinder and connecting rod to the piston end up getting slightly out of true and the hole in the pressed tin end cover becomes oval and it gets worse very quickly. My dad had a very old and heavy one with a proper end plate with a bushed hole but I think he binned it for a lighter one.

I saw that one on Halfords website and wondered about it, will have to pop in a have a good look.

Try lubricating the connecting rod with a few drops of oil as well.

I used to have an old British brass barrel one as well, but it did wear out after many years, and I couldn't get the bits, the company were long gone.

I think the main thing is to use them as the designer intended, that would be for top ups of regular car tyres every week. They are not meant to blow up tractor rears from flat, and will wear out pretty quick if you do.
Years ago I did used to do that, it is a slow process, and no pleasure. And not much pleasure for the pumps either.

 

[norseman]

Try lubricating the connecting rod with a few drops of oil as well.
I used to have an old British brass barrel one as well, but it did wear out after many years, and I couldn't get the bits, the company were long gone..

I've had 12V examples that run off the battery/cigar-lighter socket & those with a built-in re-chargeable battery - they all have one thing in common, they are crap
My current solution is a brass bodied Dunlop foot-pump that was supplied with the tool kit in one of my late father's 1940's cars, you can still obtain the leather washers which should be periodically treated with vegetable, not lubricating, oil. The old thing is built like a railway loco, still works very well & has a valve connector that really grips the thread, unlike today's plastic over-centre lever type. Alternatively buy yourself a cheap foot-pump & throw it away when it falls apart - if that's within 12 months you get your money back

 

[Turboman]

I've had 12V examples that run off the battery/cigar-lighter socket & those with a built-in re-chargeable battery - they all have one thing in common, they are crap
My current solution is a brass bodied Dunlop foot-pump that was supplied with the tool kit in one of my late father's 1940's cars, you can still obtain the leather washers which should be periodically treated with vegetable, not lubricating, oil. The old thing is built like a railway loco, still works very well & has a valve connector that really grips the thread, unlike today's plastic over-centre lever type. Alternatively buy yourself a cheap foot-pump & throw it away when it falls apart - if that's within 12 months you get your money back

Way to go. I just use a regular foot pump for topping up the car tyres.

For bigger tyres,and inflating from flat, I have a little mains compressor, with a 10litre air reservoir. No good for spraying or air tools but ideal for tyres, and hand portable.

 

[brian47]

I gave up foot pumps long ago.
I prefer my T-Max compressor these days.