..:: TRACKWHORES.com ::..
http://trackwhores.com/

I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..
http://trackwhores.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=65
Page 1 of 6

Author:  madski [ Thu May 07, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject:  I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

I need 3 tires mounted. Even with a local shop being nice to me is going to cost me like $50. I know the HF changer is less than ideal but I'm guessing that for the volume I plan on doing it will not really matter. For like $170 or so you can get the changer and balancer.
I've poked around the web quite a bit and it seems that with some simple mods people have managed to get around the issue of scratching rims. It's certainly not a commercial or volume tool but it should do the job.
I figure for the 6 or so tire changes a year that I "need" I can pay for it in one year.
I'm way too cheap to spring for a proper tool like the No-Mar.

Author:  silvr6 [ Thu May 07, 2009 1:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

I been looking around and a lot of guys on the nesba forum have good luck with the HF changer, and opt to go with the no-mar bar. Also they get the no ceramic or plastic blocks so that the wheel doesn't get scratched.

Author:  madski [ Thu May 07, 2009 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

I saw guys using a split piece of garden hose under the claws to keep the wheel from both scratching and rotating.
I figure I can tape up the bar for now to see how it works. If I see serious problems I may either hav eone made or buy the no-mar one.
The HF balancer looks OK as well. For $59 its hard to beat.

Author:  silvr6 [ Thu May 07, 2009 1:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

Just remember you need the standard changer also, the $59 piece is just the top attatchment to go onto the base.

Author:  madski [ Thu May 07, 2009 1:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

Tire changer base: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=34542 $49.99

Motorcycle attachment: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42927 $59.99

Motorcycle balancer: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=98488 $59.99

Total of: $169.97 + tax = $180.17 or about 10 tire changes (not including gas and my time to drag the wheels somewhere).

Author:  silvr6 [ Thu May 07, 2009 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

yeah you got it all, i think it will pay for itself many times after that also

Author:  Tib [ Fri May 08, 2009 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

I know i'm stepping in a little late but your more than welcome to stop down my way to check out the no mar setup I have. Sure it's a little more pricey but believe me the higher the quality the equipment the easier the process is.

From what I read when I was buying mine is that the HF setup works okay for light wheels / tires...it wobbles and makes changing alot of tires harder.

When we were at beaverun this past weekend I was talking to a CR that wants to buy a setup. He's been researching Tire Stripper at http://shop.tirestripper.com/ and when I check it out it looks like a very strong good setup for less.

I buy rim savers specifically from Tucker Rocky because they are the only ones that are durable and last, the other companies sell ones that are rubber and will slice through.

On a good day when the weather is warm and the tires are too I can change out a tire from the rim in less that 5 minutes. The balancing is the process that takes the longest.

Author:  Tib [ Fri May 08, 2009 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

Ohh yeah and the HF setup will scratch your rims...unless you get new protective blocks.

Author:  Tib [ Fri May 08, 2009 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

while i'm post whoring it up here...

I can stand by no-mar's quality I have literally changed a few hundred tires with the machine! They have warrantied the mount/demount plastic parts twice with no questions asked. I even bought one of their early machines in which they sent free upgrades for it. I have been thinking about upgrading to their pro model but we'll see about that.

Author:  madski [ Sat May 09, 2009 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I think I'm going to buy a tire changer..

Actually I picked up the HF one on Friday.
They did not have the balancer so I ordered it on line.
Looking at the mount/dismount rod I am going to order the No-Mar one. That thing will destroy rims.
I figure to change 5 ot 6 tires a year this should be fine. I know guys tape up the tabs on the arms. I put some duct tape on them and it seems fine.
If I were going to change dozen of tires a year I certainly would have bought the no-mar. I don't think there's any comparison with the HF. The No-Mar guy was actually at Beaver at least on Sunday. He had a machine set up and it looks like an awesome set up.
For like $250 I should have a set up that's good enough to do what I need it to do. It's not as good but it's less than half of what the No-Mar would have cost me.
I really appreciate your feedback Tib!

Page 1 of 6 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/