This thread will be used to document my experience with these low price tire machines.
So two days ago I pulled the trigger on buying basic mounting and balancing machines for home use. I have 5 sets of tires/wheels that either need flipped or swapped among wheels. I figured having a small side gig for funding Motorsports shenanigans is a good idea anyway.
Note: I am a 15yr auto technician and know what I'm doing. Usually. Ok. Sometimes.
I paid $2300 for the Combo #1, plus added a second tire spoon and set of duck bill guards to my cart as well.
https://www.derekweaver.com/tire-changer-wheel-balancer-combos/
I am in Virginia, the machines are shipping from Texas.
I emailed back and forth with Cameron Weaver a couple times prior to purchase, questions were answered quickly, and when I inquired about their $600 press down attachment, he recommended inbuy the basic machine first as I may not find it necessary. I know they're super nice to have, but other bead press-down and drop center tools, plus a second tire spoon should mitigate the need.
Unlike many of the cheaper Ebay and Amazon tire machines, Weaver machines have good parts diagrams and ongoing support available through them. While it was tempting to save $300-400... I want future support to keep these things running as long as possible.
The machine shipped out yesterday, less than 24hr after ordering. Shipping is freight via Saia... I will be getting contacted some time in the next few days with a 24hr notice to be home and authorize dropping it off.
Will keep you guys informed on how it all goes!
Edit: going to keep track of the timeline here:
3/23 at 9:00pm - Ordered from www.derekweaver.com
3/24 at 4:30pm - Notified via email it has shipped via Saia truck freight
3/25 at 3:30pm - Called by Saia to confirm delivery this week. I COULD have gotten it tomorrow 3/26, but I am off work Friday so scheduled it for then.
3/27 at 10:30am - Called by Saia to be informed they're on their way and should be here roughly around 11:00am.
3/27 at 11:00am - Called by the Saia driver to confirm he would be able to turn around on my street before coming down it with a 48' trailer. Only the mounting machine arrived. The two items were shipped separately, though I only received one tracking number. He called and informed the logistics team and I was given a number to reference. I called Saia's customer service number and found the balancer is going to be in Atlanta tonight, and should arrive for delivery on Monday.
3/27 at 3:00pm - Called Saia customer service again to get an updated tracking number. No real info yet when tracking it. Aside from last scanned in Atlanta.
3/30 at 11:00am - Checked online and noticed it said tire mounting machine on the freight description. Odd. It's the balancer I needed. Also still not showing any movement since 3/27 in Atlanta. Called Saia CS again. They could not find it at the Atlanta hub. They asked about estimated value, description, etc. I got a call back a bit later that they found it and gave me now a third tracking #. Later that evening I looked it up and it's listed as a 150lb "A+ Power unit"... Which is a power unit for their 2 post lifts... Not a balancer.
3/31 at 2:00pm - I called Saia Customer Service again, asking for an update, let them know about the power unit thing, they could not locate it originally because of a description different than what was submitted. This guy was super helpful, gave me his direct email, etc. So I sent an email to Derek Weaver and copied the Saia CS rep on it explaining the potential situation based on the freight tickets and tracking info that if it's delivered it may be refused if wrong, etc.
3/31 at 3:00pm - get a call from the Saia driver that it'll be here tomorrow, so I requested after 12:00 So I could work at least a half day.
4/1 about 1:30 it gets dropped off .. labeled as a power unit, cracked the crate open and it was indeed my wheel balancer. It was actually the same truck driver as the first time, nice dude. I tipped him another $20 on top of the $20 I gave him the first time he dropped off the tire machine.
Edit: I got the machines working over the following couple days between everyday life... Everything works great! Highly recommend! Follow below for more detailed individual posts. I added a few photos to this post of my son helping me out/learning to use them as well.