The bicycle guys would probably have more of a handle on this. But im wondering whats out there for a small hand operated air pump thats very efficient and will work when you need it?

Well, you can put aside anything for road bikes and concentrate on mountain bikes. However, the small frame mounted pumps need close to a zillion pumps to pump up a mountain bike tire. I get exhausted just thinking of pumping up an aircraft tire with one. I would suggest one of the models that combine a CO2 inflation system with an integrated pump. Carry about three or four CO2 cartridges and some pumping to top it off. They also don't last long. Mine, and I've tried 5 or 6 models, seem to last a season. So don't expect to pump up a lot of tires with them.

My latest one, a Lezyne, has a hose instead of the integrated clamp head. I gave up on the combined ones and instead now have a small screw on inflator to augment the pump. It is made of metal, so in theory it may last longer. I do not think you could make the clamp on style work on a tailwheel.
http://www.lezyne.com/en/alloy-drive

A floor pump would be OK, but still require a kabillion strokes to fill an 8:50 and 12 kabillion for 31 inch bushwheels.

You could make a schrader valve adapter for something like the NRS K-Pump but would be limited to low max pressure. Carry the raft pump for volume and the bicycle pump to get you up to pressure. There is no single pump that I can think of that will do both jobs.

http://www.altrec.com/nrs/k-pump-100/

Think VOLUME not pressure.... especially with the Bushwheel, the CO2 don't do much. I cary an electric pump cuz I am toooooo lazy and get leg cramps after 5000 strokes of a bike pump..

Does anyone ever just carry a can of fixoflat? Or are we talking just to play with air pressures when out not really a flat tire.

I carry a can of Fix-A-Flat, and have used it. It worked. Landed in one of those places without an airstrip, just sagebrush, grass and yes thorns. Got a flat. Pulled out the old Fix-A-Flat, filled the tire/tube, flew home, fixed tube, removed thorn from tire and back in business. Bought another can and threw it in the plane. Remember, all you're trying to do is get back to civilization, not rebuild your airplane.

FARMAULE wrote:Does anyone ever just carry a can of fixoflat? Or are we talking just to play with air pressures when out not really a flat tire.

I was just thinking with only 2 screwdrivers and a patch and no battery or electricity at all, with a totally flat tire. This fixoflat cans, do they loose pressure in time like paint cans?

Hottshot, I think you should look into making up some sort of an inflator similar to the engine exhaust-powered "air jack" bags. I saw one for cars and 4x4's that had a cone you hold against the exhaust outlet, and it pumped up a reinforced rubber bladder to raise a car off the ground. For airplanes you could make a similar device for an inflator, but hose clamp it onto your exhaust to keep yourself clear of the prop. Have an adjustable "pop-off" valve to prevent over-pressuring the tire.

The whole thing can weigh two pounds or less. It could also inflate camping mattresses and rafts. Might be a useful product for your customers. No charge for the idea, all you gotta do is name it "EZ Flat"

I think all you need is a small can o' WD40, a lighter and a coupla cold-beers.

Man, I am headed out back to try that explosive technique. Cool.
If I don't log back in for a few days..... Somebody call 911

Haha! That's cool! Carried out in accordance with Cleveland Maintenance Manual Chapter...... Ummm...

Around here we use starting fluid. Uses a lot less.

I still carry the old ATV pull a spark plug and run the engine until tire is full! Has been a lot of years since I had to use it though!!
GT

Found a new one here
https://www.denniskirk.com/engine-air-pump-w-adapters-and-hose-pqe1.p282211.prd

JHenderson wrote:Around here we use starting fluid. Uses a lot less.

That's what we use on the farm too. Better quality the ether, more effective it is. Works really good for getting semi tires to seat on the bead. Have used bug spray to get my quad tire back on once and it worked surprisingly well.

David

M6RV6 wrote:I still carry the old ATV pull a spark plug and run the engine until tire is full! Has been a lot of years since I had to use it though!!
GT

Found a new one here
https://www.denniskirk.com/engine-air-pump-w-adapters-and-hose-pqe1.p282211.prd

That's the type that Hayduke used to blow up his raft in the Monkey Wrench Gang. Wouldn't this arrangement pump fuel vapor in to your tubes? I would think that an undesirable side effect.

JHenderson wrote:Around here we use starting fluid. Uses a lot less.

Here's what it looks like for those who don't know. A couple things to note (may seem obvious but Darwin can't be wrong)

1. Works only to re-seat TUBELESS tire on the bead.
2. Smart to remove valve stem core before doing this. (Think pressure relief valve) THEY DO EXPLODE IF YOU USE TOO MUCH ETHER!!

I carry a can of fix-a-flat, plus carry a foot-operated pump. Pretty slow going with the pump, but better than nothing. I use a hand-operated pump (other end against the ground) to top off my 850's when they get low, and even just topping them off takes a lotta strokes. I have a 12V pump with a cig lghter adapter that I use for air mattresses, it probably has a valve stem adapter. Maybe I should throw it in the airplane.
BTW I also carry a spare t/w tire with tube, and a spare inner tube for the mains.

We lost a really good A&P up here in Dillingham last year who was doing something of the sort with his truck tire. I do not know the exact details but I heard it was not pretty.

If you are going to be dumb you gotta be tough!

Rocket

I leave anything to do with automotive tires to Les Schwab-- I've always gotten great customer service from them & so do all my tire bidness with them.

What about something like this? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14 ... lator.aspx

Cary