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“Best Buy” Makita Inflator
Jim Ruen, La Crescent, Minn.: “The DMP 18-volt cordless inflator from Makita is a compact design and handy to use.
    “The inflator weighs only 6 lbs. with a 5 aH battery and costs $159 for the bare tool. It uses the older 18-volt battery system, eliminating the need to buy a charger and battery if you already have an 18-volt Makita tool.
    “I really like the easy-to-read dial, front and center on the tool’s top side. It displays the current pressure of the item being inflated as well as the target pressure. Up and down arrow buttons below the dial let you change the target pressure. Press the M button between them to switch between psi, bar or kPa units. Press and hold it for 3 sec. and the dial switches from Ball mode (5 to 16 psi) to Low Speed and High Speed modes (5 to 161 psi).
    “I’ve used it on car, truck and tractor tires. It’s hard not to get frustrated with the time it takes with any inflator or small compressor, but the DMP 181 isn’t bad. In one case, I deflated a 75R 16 truck tire to 15 psi and timed inflation. It took 3 min. to increase by 20 psi.
    “While the inflator does stop automatically, it’s always at about 1 1/2 lbs. over the preset pressure. I queried Makita as to why but got no answer. However, the Schrader valve adapter screws onto the tire valve. Unscrewing it releases a small amount of air. I checked the reinflated truck tire with my pressure gauge, and it was at the preset 35 psi.
    “I don’t care for the screw-on Schrader adapter for inflating tires, but it is the standard on the DMP 181. It makes it easy to attach the Presta valve adapter, a ball valve needle and a tapered adapter (floating tubes). I do like the tapered adapter for blowing sawdust away from shop tools.
    “The pressure release valve on the side of the inflator is a nice touch, should a person overinflate. Restraints on the other side hold the 18-in. air hose out of the way when not in use.
    “With its 11 in. length, 3 1/2 in. width and 9 in. height, the DMP 181 is a handy size to keep in the garage for checking air pressure before a trip or to toss in the car or truck for camping.”


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2022 - Volume #46, Issue #4