Air-Bob air tool
 

Anyone using an Air-Bob? Lowest price I've seen is 72.95. Anyone build one? If so, what parts did you use and how much did you end up saving? Thanks!

Thanks jsharr. When I did a search, I didn't see anything in the title topic so I didn't peruse the topics that came up. I should know better. :)

I have been around long enough to remember that there was a thread about the Air Bob and take offs, so I had a leg up on you when I began searching. Glad I could help, if in fact I did..;):thumb:

You sure did. Thanks!

I just took a generic hardware store air chuck/gauge and stuck a Silca track pump head on it. Probably less than $20 all told:

http://os2.dhs.org/~john/air-chuck.jpg

Just pickup a Silca Pista Replacement Presta Head from most any place and make your own.

Good source here
http://www.prestaflator.com/buy_bike...sor_presta.php

Here is a gauge and inflator from Amazon that could probably be fitted with a smart head and used for bicycle tires.

That won't work on Pista valve.

Even if refitted with a smart head as I suggested? Can you explain why, as I was thinking of getting one to try.

Mine is identical. That type of guage is not supposed to be accurate, but mine is.

Went to Harbor Freight.
Looked at the following:
1. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41891
2. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92360

#1 looked identical to the prestaflator. #2 seemed more heavy duty. I bought #2.
I then took it to a LBS and they gave me a presta/shrader converter for it. Good to go. Thanks all!

I have one. I love it. Best $80 I ever spent on a bike tool.

http://www.notubes.com/images/air_bob_big.jpg

The only potential drawback is that you need source pressure from the compressor in excess of what you're inflating too. In my case that's 120 psi, and most air tools prefer 90 psi - some won't take 120. So you might want to install a separate regulator if you use air tools much.

Thanks for that link.

One thing though, the older thread links to some tools at harbor Freight. I haven't found their air tools to be very good and I wonder about the accruracy of any of their pressure guages.

I've had relatively good luck with HF air tools, but then I'm a dilettante user. Besides, they're so cheap you could buy two more and still save $$.

Pressure gauges in general all seem about equally accurate - that is to say, pretty much. The only failure I've had was a Porter-Cable regulator and Porter-Cable isn't cheap.