https://www.youtube.com/embed/6eZNo18GKQ0
What do autocrossing and track events have in common? Both consume a lot of tires, meaning lots of time–and money–spent getting new tires mounted and balanced.
We wanted an alternative, so we added Bendpak tire mounting and balancing equipment to the GRM workshop so we could do it ourselves.
Follow along to learn how to mount and balance a tire. Presented …
Even as someone who doesn't regularly spend time on track, I could see the value in getting my own equipment to mount and balance tires.
Yeah the only thing I would add here is that I think in the video I said that I felt our recoup period would be inside of two years. At the pace we're doing stuff already I bet it'll only be about half that. Tremendously useful tools for anyone in this hobby.
The savings in lost time alone makes the machines worth it. No more loading up tires and wheels to haul them down to the tire store and then sit around and wait.
After Firestone refused to mount a set of Hoosiers for the Abomination because they weren't the correct tire for the car, I gave up and ordered my own. They are worth every penny.
I feel like a lot of us would go down this road if it weren't for the expense of the equipment and the floor space that it requires. Does anyone have experience with the el cheapo manual stuff from Harbor freight or Northern Tool? Even if the ROI math works on the Bendpak stuff, it's hard for me to justify putting a big chunk of my cash and my garage space into commercial grade stuff that will realistically be used 4-6 times a year.
Toyman! said:The savings in lost time alone makes the machines worth it. No more loading up tires and wheels to haul them down to the tire store and then sit around and wait.
After Firestone refused to mount a set of Hoosiers for the Abomination because they weren't the correct tire for the car, I gave up and ordered my own. They are worth every penny.
Yes to the time savings. Plus, sometimes JG & Ducks Tire Svc. sometimes offers delivery. 
In reply to ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) :
I have fought a set of 275 RE71s. Several times. I can not imagine doing that with a manual machine. It would take forever and you would be exhausted by the end. Even with the machine they can be challenging.
Regular street tires would be fairly easy though.
ShinnyGroove (Forum Supporter) said:I feel like a lot of us would go down this road if it weren't for the expense of the equipment and the floor space that it requires. Does anyone have experience with the el cheapo manual stuff from Harbor freight or Northern Tool? Even if the ROI math works on the Bendpak stuff, it's hard for me to justify putting a big chunk of my cash and my garage space into commercial grade stuff that will realistically be used 4-6 times a year.
I've got the manual machine and you don't want to do that. I've done car tires before but it is h a r d work. The stiffer the sidewall the more impossible.
Trailer tires and ATV/mower tires? Absolutely! The manual machine does just fine for those. High-sidewall car tires on steelies? Meh, if you're desperate. Aluminum wheels? Those will get destroyed. Low profile tire? Just give up.
I really want to add a tire machine to the shop, but the floorspace required makes it a tough call.
NTW once refused to mount my Hoosier tires because there was no tread.
Yeah I think the big thing for a lot of people is the space and infrastructure requirements. I have a fairly large shop, but even for me they take up a substantial amount of room, and they're not exactly the kinds of things you can just move out of the way when you aren't using them.
But when it comes to doing the math on recoup, don't just compare it to how many sets you're mounting now, because when you can just do the stuff any time you want you find reasons to do it all the time. I have a set of Hoosiers that I'd have probably not even used again if it meant a $130 bill and time shuttling tires, but I'm going to a local event in a couple weeks so I'll throw them back on and squeeze the last bit of life out of them before tossing them. Flip the tires on the wife's CX-5 so she gets 20,000 miles out of them instead of 15,000? Heck yeah. Throw a bunch of different sized tires on some wheels to see what fits on the MR2? No problem.
But, yeah, they chonk.
They do eat up some space in the shop. They are also the most used large shop tools I own so I consider that a fair trade.
My shop is 26 x 26. They aren't overwhelming in their size.
Like drywall taping and mudding, concrete work, roofing and paint and bodywork I know how to mount and balance tires but I don't like doing it and I'd just as soon pay someone else to do it.
In reply to wae :
I have no real complaint with the Harbor Freight manual tire changer..wished I would have bought one years ago. I do NOT use the tire bar that came with it--it's guaranteed to mess up your rims. I bought I nice one with some kind of plastic on both ends that protects the rims. Also cut off the angle bracket that acts as a rim stop when breaking the beads and bolted on a round rubber puck/foot off a trailer ramp door. I bolt it to the shop floor when needed with 3 concrete anchors set in the floor.
A good friend of mine owns a shop. We both started as general service technicians when we were in high school, so we are both proficient at mounting and balancing tires, and similarly we both hate doing it.
When he built his new shop he purchased new mounting and balancing machines. He does not offer any tire related services to customers, he only uses it for his personal stuff and for his guys. He will tell you it was a great investment because of the money he saves but mainly the time and hassle of dealing with his local tire shops.
Though it would be cool, I simply do not have room.
When I get new tires, there are several local businesses that will come to my house and mount the tires. He has pro equipment in a trailer.
I have chosen one that was midway in the price range, and the guy does great work, at a reasonable price, and have had him mount several sets of tires over the past 3 years.
If I recall correctly, the cost of mounting 2 335/30-18 on 18x12, and 2 285/30-18 on 18x10 was about $160 .
It seemed reasonable to me, particularly when I don't have to make 2 trips to tire store. The tire shops have becoming increasingly picky about what they will and won't mount, so, another bonus in having the mobile tire mounter come here.
For any that care, it is Tires 2 You in Hillsboro OR.
I have a harbor freight manual changer which is functional if you do some modifications. It takes some work but my biggest reason to still go to the tire store is that it's a major pain to get rid of old tires.
I wonder if a Maker Space co op adding a nice set to their offering would be the tipping point for getting more car guys to join.
Most I've seen have manufacturing, wood and metal equipment, but not much auto equipment.
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