Wheel weight pliers and other assorted wheel balancing stuff

[Woolly Bully]

Hey, I know what the business end does, what's the sharp edge and V-shaped wedge for? Cracking walnuts?

Anyone do their own spin balancing? Is it normal to have to add a second pair of weights to get 00.0 balance?

 

[rlitman]

The sharp edge is a cutter for clipping weights (you don't encounter many of these any more). Not sure about the V. Also, I would not use weight pliers that have a metal faced hammer. That's sure to mangle rims.

Yeah, I spin balance my wheels. If you get the measurements wrong, or don't install the weight perfectly TDC, or if your machine is out of calibration, you won't spin 0's after adding the first weight. I'll usually pull off a weight and replace with the right one when that happens, rather than just keep adding.

 

[Woolly Bully]

I had a feeling that's what the edge was for. I figured the V notch might be for pinching used weight clips tighter but I'll be darned if I can get it to do that. It's a mystery.

Also tried moving the weights (as stated in the Coats manual) to spin 000s but the particular tires I'm playing with, some old Hankooks on my runaround pickup, are a bit out of round, maybe that's the problem. Keeps wanting a second set of weights a ways from the first ones. Does spin 00s after that so I'm going with it for now. When I get to my hot rod's wheels I'll get it with one set.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[rlitman]

If the weight is close to 180 degrees away from the ones already there, then you just need less weight on the first weight.
If it is another angle, something weird is happening. But tires being out of round is not it.

 

[Woolly Bully]

The first spin it was wanting 1.5-2 ounces per side, and I put the exact weights on and verified they were at the very top. Then it wanted .5-.75 ounces at around 8 o'clock from the first weights. I should have played around with the first weights more but after putting the second ones on it spun 000 so I left it. When I do my other truck tomorrow I'll try and get it with one pair.

The calibration is pretty simple, you just put a wheel on, spin it in calibration mode, then add 4 ounces at TDC where it tells you to, then spin it again and your done. Pretty hard to screw that up.

I did just take it down the highway and felt great at 70mph, heck of lot better than my old bubble balancer. I just got this thing (Coats 1001, plenty used), I have about 10 vehicles to go!

 

[volleyball]

My pliers are so old they don't have the cutter or the V. I just use the hammer to tighten up reused weights.
Other than stick on, I've only bought weights once. I still have the boxes of news ones I got decades ago with my original bubble.

 

[dragonballz]

The hammer head is obvious.

The back end, what you call the V and Wedge, is to remove hammered on weights. It's like pliers.

The cutter at the handle is to cut sticky weights. They're kind of perferated/thin. Think about how you tear off the edge of loose-leaf paper. Instead of bending back and forth, just cut it.

 

[Woolly Bully]

Thanks guys. The V I'm referring to is the notch right next to the cutter. Must be there for something.

 

[dragonballz]

Thanks guys. The V I'm referring to is the notch right next to the cutter. Must be there for something.

Ooh that V.

Im assuming it's to spread or tighten hammer on weights. I actually wish I knew that when I worked in a tire shop because Ive used the wedge end of the hammer to spread or close the weight and it kept on slipping.

 

[devoncoolman]

The v is for spreading and tightening hammer on weights.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I hate those plastic hammers. They're junk. Stick to metal. You won't mangle a rim. You're not hitting the rim with the hammer anyway

And no it's not normal to need second set of weights. You can get it by moving the first set. If it's 1/2 ounce off, move the weight 1/2 oz closer to the top. You can also do one side at a time If it calls for more than 2.5

 

[WhiffySpark]

The hammer head is obvious.

The back end, what you call the V and Wedge, is to remove hammered on weights. It's like pliers.

The cutter at the handle is to cut sticky weights. They're kind of perferated/thin. Think about how you tear off the edge of loose-leaf paper. Instead of bending back and forth, just cut it.

Doesn't work on sticky weights like you said. It is used to clip them if needed

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Are you doing a static balance and that's why it's asking for a second set of weights? The v you're asking about is for crimping together hammer on weights because there are different weights for different wheels. Sometimes if you run out of weights you can use ones you've removed, but since you pried them off they're a bit wider than normal, so you squeeze them back together with that. The part that attaches to the flange on the wheel goes in the V

 

[Woolly Bully]

No, spin balance. First spin I put the weights on, then spin it again to check and it wants more. 00s after second set every time. I did do a wheel or two that balanced the first time. I'm balancing everything that isn't nailed down!

OK, clip in the V. I try it again tomorrow.

 

[404]

No, spin balance. First spin I put the weights on, then spin it again to check and it wants more. 00s after second set every time. I did do a wheel or two that balanced the first time. I'm balancing everything that isn't nailed down!

OK, clip in the V. I try it again tomorrow.

Is the rim diameter and width set perfectly in the machine? Even a slight error in weight position rotationally on the rim will cause trouble.

Doing tires was the most fun job I ever had..

 

[volleyball]

I use the hammer end to close up a loose weight and the wedge from the removal end, mines a wider chisel, to open them up.

 

[Woolly Bully]

OK, another day out there swinging, er spinning. The good news is I figured out the problem was. The bad news is I am a *****. Have you ever tried to move one of these thing by yourself? So when I got home with it, I backed my pickup up to my motorcycle lift, raised the lift up to the tailgate, slid the balancer onto the lift, dropped the lift and slid it onto a dolly. Not a HF $10 dolly, a square tube framed, 3/4 plywood topped heavy duty dolly larger than the balancer. And so it sat since I haven't figured out where I'm going to put it yet. And I was using it that way. Only until I read the manual did I realize the importance the tripod legs have on the gyro mechanical feng shui of the unit. So long story short, it's now sitting on it's proper foundation, smack in the middle of my garage floor, and I'm spinning 00s first try almost every time.

A couple of other notes. The wheels I have been rebalancing I did with my old bubble balancer. Not a $30 HF bubble balancer, not a real good one where you put the wheel on and slide the lever over, but a decent middle of road balancer. Anyway on average I was about 2oz. off from the spin balancer. And of course in different spots on the rim.

And the sharp edge on the pliers, at least mine, won't cut through tape on weights. Nor will the V notch clamp the clips back down very well.

Thanks for all the help guys. I got this in a package deal with a fancy Corghi tire machine which so far has been self explanatory. Big improvement over my old manual Coats. Anyone need any tire work? Free. Beer included.

 

[rlitman]

LOL, yep. Getting it perfectly level isn't that critical, but it needs to sit firmly on the ground. If it moves around while the wheel is spinning, your results will be all over the place as if the calibration was way off.
Still, once it shows 000, you will end up balanced.

The cutter isn't for sticky weights. It's to shorten hammer on weights. Personally, I would not use it.

 

[volleyball]

I guess your offer of free tire work goes well with your lack of location.
Glad the machine is working for you.

 

[Woolly Bully]

LOL, Hmm, I thought I had put that in. Oh well, there now, come on over!

I got a ton of old weights with the machine which I have been sorting through. Most are in ounces, some in grams?, like 45, and some just say Montgomery Wards or some such. Oh and some say B, or C. I put an ounce scale out there so now I can just weigh them as I go.

 

[Woolly Bully]

I graduated to doing mag wheels with sticky weights today. I put weights on both sides contrary to aesthetics. I felt fortunate that I got them down to .25oz. without too much fuss, as you can't pull and put back the sticky weights like regulars.

My question to anyone who's still listening is: How much of a weight imbalance can you live with? Obviously makes a difference on wheel size, speed etc., but in general, will you feel .25 on the average say 15" tire at 65mph?

 

[volleyball]

You can always try it and see. I've seen tire with more imbalance that ran fine at ?0 mph

 

[rlitman]

but in general, will you feel .25 on the average say 15" tire at 65mph?

Probably not on a front tire, but it depends on the vehicle. Almost certainly not on a rear tire.

 

[404]

I graduated to doing mag wheels with sticky weights today. I put weights on both sides contrary to aesthetics. I felt fortunate that I got them down to .25oz. without too much fuss, as you can't pull and put back the sticky weights like regulars.

AFAIK if the wheel width data put into the machine is the same as where the weights are to go, both inner and outer can be installed from the back side.. If that makes any sense.

 

[drew03cmc]

I graduated to doing mag wheels with sticky weights today. I put weights on both sides contrary to aesthetics. I felt fortunate that I got them down to .25oz. without too much fuss, as you can't pull and put back the sticky weights like regulars.

My question to anyone who's still listening is: How much of a weight imbalance can you live with? Obviously makes a difference on wheel size, speed etc., but in general, will you feel .25 on the average say 15" tire at 65mph?

You can use a dynamic setting and put two sets of tape weights on the inside. The "outer" set goes against the back of the mounting face and the inner set can be either a knock on weight or a tape weight, there are settings for both.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Man, I've always wanted to buy a used tire machine and balancer. Problem is still that it would take up too much space for the amount I'd be able to use it.

 

[Woolly Bully]

My machine has input modes based on where you intend to put the weights. Pretty snazzy eh? I've tried the different modes on the same unbalanced wheel and it does tell you different amounts/locations based on the mode (otherwise they wouldn't have it I suppose). Does it amount to a hill of beans? Probably not on my old heaps but maybe on a new car.

One other thing I've noticed while spinning all these wheels is how many of my tires are out of round. Nothing over 1/4" but noticeable when spinning. I have been starting off by, after mounting the wheel, spinning it by hand with a pointer to make sure the rim is spinning true. Perhaps due to sitting on the car and not being driven in a few days. Might be a good idea to drive and get the tires up to temp, then balance.

 

[Woolly Bully]

Man, I've always wanted to buy a used tire machine and balancer. Problem is still that it would take up too much space for the amount I'd be able to use it.

Yeah that was a big concern for me too, along with price. Today after balancing hopefully the last wheels for a time I muscled the machines into an empty spot in the garage. They still take up a lot of room but at least I put plywood on top so when not in use I can put stuff on top, lol. The tire machine is on wheels, and works fine that way, so I just have to slide it out to use it and then the balancer shaft is accessible.

Price wise most of the used working balancers I saw were expensive. This guy was moving at the end of the month, got both for $700. I've changed about 5 tires so far and balanced 16 so I've probably offset the cost by a hundred or two. Plus I have become new best friends with everyone that's gotten wind of it.

Forgot to mention, the local auto wrecker has the same basic machines and keeps them outside under a lean to. I asked about it hurting the balancer electronics but he said it's never been a problem.

 

[Hemilover]

New to this forum but I'm looking for the wingnut for a Corghi ET-66. It is 46mm with 3mm pitch. I'm so new I can't post a new thread in the wanted section.