Tire changer and balance machine

[greatlaker]

I was wondering how many car hobby folks have a tire machine and or balancer in their home shop.

I went to my tire guy to have a new set of tires mounted and he is gone.
Sorry to see that as he was a one man shop and did good work at reasonable rates. (cash always welcome).

Had to go to a local chain store and wound up paying about eighty bucks and a two hour wait.

With a half dozen cars at home I'm beginning to think having my own would be nice.
I have a two post lift and do tire rotations at 10k during an oil change.
It would be nice to be able to check tire balance at that time also.

I've seen combo new units on ebay for $1500-2500 new.

Does anyone have any experience with these machines?

Thanks for any feedback
GL

 

[underpressure02]

Funny you posted this. A similar thing happened to me. A bunch of my friends work at some big chain stores and some small shops. They always did my tires for me for free and I would throw them some cash or beer. Last year all of a sudden they couldn't do them for free and I ended up paying 80 bucks to have 4 tires done. I just built a bigger garage and ended up going with Greg Smith equipment tire machine and balancer. I got the tc289 dual arm and the wb11 balancer. I just installed it two weeks ago and have done 8 tires already. 4 of mine and 4 for my friend. I am hoping in the future when I do my buddies they throw me some cash but that is doubt full. I also like the fact that I no longer have to drive 45 mins each way to a buddies shop and can just walk out to my garage to do it. I don't know if I will ever do enough tires to pay off the machine but I think the convenience is worth it.

I don't know what machines you are looking at on ebay but for my home garage I have no complaints with the greg smith stuff yet.

 

[Streetbu]

I wish I could have my own but since I can do that at my work, my former job, or my friends shop for free it just doesnt make sense for me to buy them and take up floor space. I would never recoup my $ even in my lifetime for the machines let alone the weights, valve stems, etc. If you really want some new ones get them here. My buddies garage has been using them for 6 years now and had ZERO issues.

http://www.nationalautotools.com/tire-equipment

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I have a HF tire changer, it works but I wouldn't want to do it every day.
I usually wait for a warm day when I can set the tires out in the sun.
I have a simple balancer I use for motorcycle tires and am thinking about a bubble balancer for trailer tires.

I've seen a few tie machines/balancers go at auction for various prices. (Sometimes stupid cheap). They would take up a lot of room in the shop.

 

[polexican23]

I purchase and test balancers and rimclamps for a major chain auto repair. There are top of the line and there is bottom of the barrel, just like everything else. Right now we use Coats for rimclamps and Hunter for balancers. Will go back to Coats if and when they can have more off the shelf parts instead of having to rely on a local rep to fix it.

 

[Blue XJ]

I have the HF tire changer as well. It works great for what it is, takes about 10 minutes or so to swap each tire. I do not have a balancer, I usually only change tires on my Jeep, so I use plastic bb's inside the tire to balance them. They also work great.

 

[underpressure02]

I've seen a few tie machines/balancers go at auction for various prices. (Sometimes stupid cheap). They would take up a lot of room in the shop.

I went to auctions around here for almost 3 years trying to find a cheap tire machine and balancer and every time they went for crazy amounts of money and were normally older then 5 years and looked pretty beat up. I used auctionzip to find the auctions and people always seem to run the prices up even on the tools sometimes for more then they cost new. Same thing went for used lifts. I gave up and just bought new.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Used tire machines sell for crazy amounts around here ! Even old ones. Of course that is CL dreamers.

If you are interested in a really good manual machine look at No Mar Classic Tire Changer $560 shipped to the US.

 

[lat905]

I was just going to say, the No-Mar machines are really pretty nice for a manual machine.

Personally I would get this one: http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product_p/tc-jrpro.htm
For the money and for a home user its the best deal IMHO.

I have a HF changer, but I have the No Mar mount/demount bar. Bought it a few years ago for motorcycle tires. I have used it for car tires before, and its actually easier on car tires than on motorcycle tires.

I have also used a manual gravity balancer for motorcycle tires, and found it works very well. No Mar sells one for car tires too: http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product_p/bl-monster-lg.htm


I don't have space for the automatic machines, or i would probably have a set.

 

[bareass172]

I was going to mention the No-Mar machines too. I have owned one for many years and have changed a LOT of tires with it. Now I do motorcycle work, but they also sell bigger machines so I trust it'd be about the same but bigger. I actually liked the one I have so much I did an evaluation of it on my website:
http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/product-evaluations/no-mar-classic-tire-changer/

I will admit, I got mine when No-Mar was still a new-ish company so it did have small problems out of the box, but No-Mar would contact me when they made improvements and upgrades to the machine and ship me replacement parts at no cost. I feel the previous poster's attitude about his friends tossing him a few beers. When I bought mine a friend offered me his hitch mount (http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product_p/ac-hitch.htm) saying that he liked the idea of taking the changer to his friend's houses where he could drink THEIR beer rather than them coming to his place and drinking his.

As far as balancing, I used to do spin balancing and bubble balancing and all that but have gotten away from it and now use Dyna-Beads. If you're not familiar with them, they're like the BB's mentioned earlier, but smaller. You mount the tire, add the beads through the valve stem and you're done. Dyna has a chart for how many ounces are necessary for your size tire. This has really sped up the balancing process. When you change tires you can actually scoop the old beads out of the tire with a paper cup and then reinstall them in the new tire (not everyone bothers with this).

I avoided the beads for many years because I live in a damp climate and I had heard reports of them "clumping" from moisture. After speaking with DB about it they said they'd improved them and they no longer have this problem. I began using them after that and have never had a customer complaint. In fact, many of my MC customers come to me requesting them or they want to buy them from me for other vehicles.

The reason the beads are great is that they dynamically balance your tires. Static wheel weights may be out of balance after just a few hundred miles as rubber wears off the tire. The beads will constantly adjust from day 1 to day last to give the optimum balance.

Just my $.02 - full disclosure I am a Dyna-Beads dealer, but I'm not on here trying to sell them in any way.

If you do want to spin balance I just made my own back when. I couldn't see spending the money they ask for (see pics). Simple design, I only added the outriggers so it's more stable. The bearings were old skateboard bearings, I forget what size bolt they fit but it was a nice snug fit. You can buy just the rod/cones from No-Mar (or anyone that has them really).

Hope it helps.

 

[lat905]

I was going to mention the No-Mar machines too. I have owned one for many years and have changed a LOT of tires with it. Now I do motorcycle work, but they also sell bigger machines so I trust it'd be about the same but bigger. I actually liked the one I have so much I did an evaluation of it on my website:
http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/product-evaluations/no-mar-classic-tire-changer/

I will admit, I got mine when No-Mar was still a new-ish company so it did have small problems out of the box, but No-Mar would contact me when they made improvements and upgrades to the machine and ship me replacement parts at no cost. I feel the previous poster's attitude about his friends tossing him a few beers. When I bought mine a friend offered me his hitch mount (http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product_p/ac-hitch.htm) saying that he liked the idea of taking the changer to his friend's houses where he could drink THEIR beer rather than them coming to his place and drinking his.

As far as balancing, I used to do spin balancing and bubble balancing and all that but have gotten away from it and now use Dyna-Beads. If you're not familiar with them, they're like the BB's mentioned earlier, but smaller. You mount the tire, add the beads through the valve stem and you're done. Dyna has a chart for how many ounces are necessary for your size tire. This has really sped up the balancing process. When you change tires you can actually scoop the old beads out of the tire with a paper cup and then reinstall them in the new tire (not everyone bothers with this).

I avoided the beads for many years because I live in a damp climate and I had heard reports of them "clumping" from moisture. After speaking with DB about it they said they'd improved them and they no longer have this problem. I began using them after that and have never had a customer complaint. In fact, many of my MC customers come to me requesting them or they want to buy them from me for other vehicles.

The reason the beads are great is that they dynamically balance your tires. Static wheel weights may be out of balance after just a few hundred miles as rubber wears off the tire. The beads will constantly adjust from day 1 to day last to give the optimum balance.

Just my $.02 - full disclosure I am a Dyna-Beads dealer, but I'm not on here trying to sell them in any way.

Did you ever do stuff with the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000? I remember a guy who went by "Bare" who worked out the pulley alignment issues on that bike.

 

[volleyball]

I was interested in the no mar but it may mar the wheel. I doesn't seem any better than my antique tire machine except that I cannot do 32" or large tires.
I have a really old air break, manual mount/dismount that I got from an old guy who replaced this machine decades ago. Got the leak tub and a bubble balancer that use air as a lubricant.
I've done hundreds of tires on it. I drove 1 car 200k on old tires given to me.

 

[bareass172]

Did you ever do stuff with the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000? I remember a guy who went by "Bare" who worked out the pulley alignment issues on that bike.

I've worked on those bikes, but I'm not the same guy - nope.

 

[lat905]

I was interested in the no mar but it may mar the wheel. I doesn't seem any better than my antique tire machine except that I cannot do 32" or large tires.
I have a really old air break, manual mount/dismount that I got from an old guy who replaced this machine decades ago. Got the leak tub and a bubble balancer that use air as a lubricant.
I've done hundreds of tires on it. I drove 1 car 200k on old tires given to me.

The parts on the no mar that touch the wheel are plastic, hence the no-mar name. The parts that lock the wheel in place and the ends of the bar and bead breaker are all plastic. The one I saw in person looked very nice and I didn't see any way it could hurt a wheel.

 

[lat905]

I've worked on those bikes, but I'm not the same guy - nope.

Gotcha, thought you might be the same guy. I used to have one of those, and bought a shim off the guy that fixed all the noise and belt wear issues.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I was going to mention the No-Mar machines too. I have owned one for many years and have changed a LOT of tires with it. Now I do motorcycle work, but they also sell bigger machines so I trust it'd be about the same but bigger. I actually liked the one I have so much I did an evaluation of it on my website:
http://tech.bareasschoppers.com/product-evaluations/no-mar-classic-tire-changer/

That appears to be their "classic" model. They sell lighter duty models (for dirt bikes and smaller road bike) under the brand name Cycle Hill. They also have a No Mar Jr. Pro and Pro. The Classic works on car/truck tires up to 21" rims (at least if you watch their videos). All of their products have special bead breakers and mount/demount bars that don't scratch. They use a special lifetime warrantied plastic on the areas that contact your rim.

There are definitely a few tricks for mounting/demounting low profile tire, but their video library is excellent.

One of the nice features they have is a mount that fits into a standard 2" trailer receiver tube. No floor space for a tool that you might not use very often.


If Bare likes them, they have to be good !

 

[srmofo]

Your tire guy was giving his work away at "reasonable rates" which is why he is no longer around.

Balance doesn't need to be checked unless you are having problems.

Machines that do everything usually do everything poorly.

 

[greatlaker]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Mike Miller]

I bought mine used from our local Les Schwabs tire store, they were changing out machines for more modern ones so I asked the owner if he would sell me one of the old ones, he agreed on $300.00 and said help your self to the valve stems and weights that were in the side compartment. A friend later gave me an old bubble balancer.

 

[gungatim]

I have both, bought a used coats rimclamp last fall and completely rebuilt it. like-new machine for <$900. Have already saved over $200 doing my own tires, including motorcycles. I just picked up a Bear balancer yesterday for $75. Don't know if it works yet or if I can even replace the board if it doesn't but figure I can part it out for what I have in to it worst case. Now I need to score a bucket of cheap weights!

Keep your eyes open for used equipment, it's out there if you are patient.

 

[Coopduc]

I bought a used no-mar pro machine off eBay. It's great for motorcycle tires and I'm sure it could do car tires also, but I haven't tried it yet. I wish I had a balancer that could do both, but I can't seem to find one for a reasonable price. I'm just a hobby guy, so can't justify spending much.

 

[lat905]

I bought a used no-mar pro machine off eBay. It's great for motorcycle tires and I'm sure it could do car tires also, but I haven't tried it yet. I wish I had a balancer that could do both, but I can't seem to find one for a reasonable price. I'm just a hobby guy, so can't justify spending much.

Same with me, which is why I still have the Harbor Freight tire changer.

 

[jdjm]

I have a coats rim clamp and a Hoffman tire balancer. I have them since 2004 and they paid for themselves. I charge $5 a tire to mount and balance if they're off the car. I don't care to remove wheels from the car because if the tire and wheel come off the car well I don't need that lawsuit. For friends and coworkers who brought the car and new tires they have to tighten the wheels.

 

[mkIValh]

I got a snap on tire changer for the house but still looking for a balancer kinda hard to find one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Same with me, which is why I still have the Harbor Freight tire changer.

You can buy just the NoMar mount/demount. Much nicer that what you get with the HF or Northern manual changers.

Watch some of the NoWar videos (YouTube). Keeping the bead of the tire in the "drop center" of the rim opposite of where you have your demount tip is, is key to easy removal.

Proper lubrication and keeping the bead you have started from moving and in the drop center is the key to easy installation.

"Standard" aspect ration car/truck tire (60 series and up) are easier than the super low profile or any tire that has a very stiff sidewall.

 

[volleyball]

Do you have to use the KY jelly when mounting and dismounting? I've never seen that stuff. only soapy water. Do they sell it?

 

[dmftoy1]

Do you have to use the KY jelly when mounting and dismounting? I've never seen that stuff. only soapy water. Do they sell it?

Yup, and you can use it ASIS or dilute in a spray bottle

 

[bareass172]

I used the tub of mounting paste that No-Mar sells until it was almost gone and then a friend happened over and said to me that he knew what it was. He was an older fellow and he said he recognized it because he grew up scrubbing his parents floors with it - Murphy's soap!

http://jtmproductsinc.net/murphys_tire_tube_mounting.html

So when I needed more, instead of buying a pint for $15 from No-Mar, I bought an 8 lb bucket for less than $12. This stuff works fine as the paste it is, or you can put it in a spray bottle with water. I know it's not the best tire lube in the world, but it's cheap and it has always worked fine for my needs.

 

[bb1970]

I got a John Bean rim clamp machine free from a Sam's club years ago. Nice score. But it's kind of a drag when guys find out you have one.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I used the tub of mounting paste that No-Mar sells until it was almost gone and then a friend happened over and said to me that he knew what it was. He was an older fellow and he said he recognized it because he grew up scrubbing his parents floors with it - Murphy's Oil Soap!

Watching their videos, that is EXACTLY what came to mind !

 

[Greatbear]

I have a Ranger 950 tire changer and Ranger DST1000 balancer in my little home shop. They work well, and I can fuss over balancing weight placement better than most shops do.