Equipment Shopping Opinions?

[GreenBay]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum and I just wanted to see if I can get some opinions from some people with some experience. In the next coming month or so I will be opening my own business. Its going to be an automotive shop that is going to focus on new/used tires, brakes,oil,tune-up, etc. Starting off small and will try to make my way up. I was looking at all kinds of brands of tire changers and balancers, and came across this combo:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/COMBO-TC755DAA-WB55

I've never heard of atlas, I was really set on buying Coats equipment, but for the price I am considering this. I just wanted to know if anyone of you guys have heard about this brand, and if you can give me any advice on anything.

Thanks A lot

 

[IndyGarage]

The Atlas equipment is all made in china.

I have an atlas tire changer that I use in my home shop and it works great. The basic design of the equipment is going to be the same as the name brands - they are pretty much knock offs. I would say from a quality perspective it's probably as good as you get in china equipment.

They aren't junk, but they aren't going to be quite as good as the high dollar name brands. Mostly the difference is going to be in details - nuts bolts, seals, bearings and things like that. The basic machinery is going to be about the same.

P.S. I live a few miles from their store - It's a fun place to shop once in awhile if you are a gearhead. Every time I've been there, Greg himself is there and very helpful. I had a problem with my tire changer - it was not a manufacturing defect, but the guy I had bought the machine from had let water sit in the air cylinders with no oil and they rusted. Anyway one of the mechanics talked me through how to fix it and they had the spare part on hand if I had needed it.