Craftsman Cordless inflator modification
I’ve been fascinated with the Craftsman cordless inflator since it hit the scene in 2008 or so. They are not a necessary item but they are a wonderful way to inflate many tires to a repeatable and accurate pressure with a portable system. It seems like almost every mechanic has their own way to attach a chuck head to it. (I wrote an article about this last year during Derby City but I can’t find it!). This was my original article, and I think this is the first year I haven’t gotten an email about it. Thank you for reading that.
This year I noticed that the Team Aspire mechanics had a great solution for this problem. My original solution no longer works due to a change made a few years ago to the internals. The Team Aspire solution has some drawbacks as well, but ultimately I like it’s simplicity, flexibility and visual appeal.
What are we looking at? Starting from the inflator the first piece is a 3/8th inch FIP to 1/4th inch FIP adapter. 3/8ths refers to the diameter of the barrel on the inflator. However, the threads on the adapter will not match up to the threads of the inflator. Since you’re screwing brass onto plastic (both soft materials) the adapter will cut new threads on the inflator. So be aware this is a permanent modification. FIP refers to the threading. F means female eg internal threads. Home Depot sells the brand Watts, part number LFA-765.
Part number two gets a bit trickier. You want to start with a 1/4th inch MIP (male threading, meaning external) hose barb. The second part will depend on the internal diameter of the hose you are using. In this case I am using a Lezyne hose and chuck, which takes a 1/8th inch barb. If you’re hose is bigger in internal diameter (the Lezyne hose is pretty small) you’ll want something a bit bigger like 1/4th inch. The 1/8th inch barb to 1/4 inch MIP threads is Watts part number LFA-85. The easiest thing is to go to Home Depot or a similar store and test to see which barb size fits your hose and has 1/4 inch male threading. While you’re there pick up some plumber’s tape, also known as Teflon tape.
To assemble this first wrap the threads on the inflator a couple of times with the Teflon tape. That will seal the threads. Then thread the brass adapter on. It will thread roughly 2 rotations before becoming very hard to turn. Stop when it does. Teflon tape the threads on the barb and then thread that into the adapter, again stopping when tight. Lastly put the hose on. You may want to secure the hose with a hose clamp as well, depending on fit. The Teflon tape is critical to making sure this setup is air tight.
Kelly Cline* contributed greatly to this article. In talking with him he suggested another easy modification. It’s specific to Lezyne but I think that’s one of the better chucks on the market. It has a nice bleed valve so that you don’t lose air every time you remove the chuck. And if you’re a masters racer like me you need the ability to inflate Schraeder valves as well (car and stroller tires) which the Lezyne offers as well. Thanks to Brandon Davis, Team Aspire mechanic to Ellen Noble, for introducing me to it. Anyways, Kelly’s modification is to insert a 1/4" barb x 1/8" MIP fitting into the inflator along with the o ring supplied with the Lezyne hose kit. Then thread the large red knob back into place. Then insert the Lezyne hose onto the barb and you’re ready to go. It’s a more streamlined modification but somewhat less flexible.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them on this article so we can all learn from it! Thanks for reading.
- If you don’t know who Kelly Cline is, get familiar. He’s been on the scene longer that most of us, promoting races, putting on free clinics and being a sportsman and ambassador where ever he goes. For many years I had a key to his house while he was off courting his now wife and his house was my house for many seasons of the Mid Atlantic Cyclocross Series. I definitely wouldn’t have the passion I do for cross if not for him. Respect the architects.