Repurpose vintage wheel balancer ideas

[Fyrme]

Alright. Time has run out. I saved this old balancer from an auction. I loved the cabinet and thought i could find a use for it and that's the only reason I bought it. Well it's taking up room and I've tried to sell the whole thing on CL without even a call. Friday I'm making a trip to the scrap yard and I'm afraid the balancer part and all the aluminum adapters is going with me. I will likely pull the motor off of it. From what I hear, they spin at like a gazillion rpm. Any suggestions on what I could repurpose this thing for? The cabinet, adapters, and motor part?

 

[Fyrme]

I sure wish this site would let me upload more than one pic. It always replaces the one previous to it

 

[nine4gmc]

dorm frige may fit in that cabinet, sell the blue thing and adapters to offset the frige costs.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

a planter

 

[Outlawmws]

Someone on here will want it, I would if you were closer...

 

[Fyrme]

dorm frige may fit in that cabinet, sell the blue thing and adapters to offset the frige costs.

Too narrow. I like the idea though

a planter

Kinda Sanford and Son. I'll put it out there with my tractor tire and wheel barrow planters

Someone on here will want it, I would if you were closer...

I honestly thought I did list it. I just went and looked but I guess I didn't. I'll list it. But I'd have to get someone to commit before this weekend.......
Thanks.

 

[jweller]

Whats wrong with it?

 

[Fyrme]

As far as I know, nothing. They are not designed for today's wide alloy wheels.

 

[Packard V8]

IIRC, the motors are hell-for-stout and turn 7,000 RPMs. I've got three of them and am looking for an application - maybe a killer frisbee launcher.

jack vines

 

[Outlawmws]

Now there is an idea, (At least better that the scrap yard) variable speed motor, plenty of oomph, and you have a variable speed DP or maybe a band saw...

 

[rsanter]

Donate to an auto museum, take a big write-off

Bob

 

[Danglerb]

Looks like part of a on the car balancer, took a skilled operator to use one right. I think it could be modified to work with a wider wheel, the drive part doesn't need to be wider, just make clearance at the sides.

 

[EJM02]

Gut it, save the motor and make a really unique parts washer with the cabinet alone.. ??? I dunno..

 

[Packard V8]

I think it could be modified to work with a wider wheel, the drive part doesn't need to be wider, just make clearance at the sides.

The drive mechanism would be easy to modify, but wider isn't the problem - diameter is. There are two key parts to that unit:

1. The balancing rings are specifically for each wheel diameter. Back in the day, wheels were 13", 14" and 15". There weren't any rings for today's 18" to 22" monsters. Without the rings to fit the wheels, it can't balance.


2. The strobe light with trigger. Parts are NLA.

jack vines

 

[Outlawmws]

The drive mechanism would be easy to modify, but wider isn't the problem - diameter is. There are two key parts to that unit:

1. The balancing rings are specifically for each wheel diameter. Back in the day, wheels were 13", 14" and 15". There weren't any rings for today's 18" to 22" monsters. Without the rings to fit the wheels, it can't balance.


2. The strobe light with trigger. Parts are NLA.

jack vines

??? What Strobe?

I learned to balance tires using that critter in HS. A ring goes on the rim, balance unit goes on the ring, and there are 2 pairs of control wheels on the center hub. One pair controls the weight, the other controls the position.

The drive unit was for the front tires, (assuming a RWD) and you jacked up one wheel on the back and let the engine turn the rear wheel (positraction was NOT really an option for using this device, or I suppose you could jack up both rears and use the drive unit; that could get entertaining...)

Pretty much all mechanical.

 

[Milton Shaw]

New cars with front wheel drive and now with traction control and alloy rims don't let these work on many. Plus it takes some skill to use and most tire techs I have seen recently didn't have any skills to speak of, just let the machines do all the work. Plus on the rear wheel cars with one wheel blocked the other was going twice as fast as speedometer showed. Never-ever let a customer drive for you.

 

[bluebolt]

Gut the rolling cabinet and use it for a tool cart.

 

[egnorant]

Rolling trash can, battery charging station both car batteries and cordless maybe??!!, detailing/cleaning supplies, subwoofer, Small engine specific supplies and tools (blades, filters, plugs, belts, slime, etc.), portable toilet, electrolysis station and small item tub, whatever!

I did look to discover that you are a fireman/handyman/small engine mechanic/tool restorer in Oklahoma. Just look around and find one of your interests that requires a certain set of items or functions that need to be gathered and transported. Find a problem this cabinet can fix! The wheel spinner...you're on your own.

Bruce

 

[Fyrme]

Rolling trash can, battery charging station both car batteries and cordless maybe??!!, detailing/cleaning supplies, subwoofer, Small engine specific supplies and tools (blades, filters, plugs, belts, slime, etc.), portable toilet, electrolysis station and small item tub, whatever!

I did look to discover that you are a fireman/handyman/small engine mechanic/tool restorer in Oklahoma. Just look around and find one of your interests that requires a certain set of items or functions that need to be gathered and transported. Find a problem this cabinet can fix! The wheel spinner...you're on your own.

Bruce

I think you nailed it. I've been wanting to buy a large rolling charger and build a large 'jump box' with it. A friend of mine did it with a D size truck battery and charger on a two wheel dolly.

As for the balancer, I tore down the machine. And it dawned on me. A rolling cooler or a kids wagon to pull around at the race track. The lines are just to darn **** to crush. And for the motor 1 1/4hp 7500 rpm too bad it's not continuous duty though. Wonder how long it's run time is good for?

 

[rsanter]

Yup, I see the makings of a cool wagon there

Bob

 

[G_P]

That motor would make for one seriously badass flex shaft drive unit! Just make sure anything you attach to that motor is rated for that high of an RPM!