thinking of purchasing a balancer

For more reasons then I care to list I am debating in investing in a tire balancer.

Long term, this will pay off for me as I will be utilizing it for at least 3 vehicles of my own (plus the random friends/family)

I wanted some input from anyone who could provide.....
are either of the balancers listed here:

http://www.derekweaver.com/update/category.aspx?sid=11&d=Wheel Balancers

W-957 or the W-937

worth the money?

 

You must balance a lot of wheels to make it worth the cost. I couldn't justify that outlay if I had 6 vehicles. I have never had to balance a wheel unless I get new tires.

 

most tire places offer free lifetime balancing with the purchase of their road hazard plan. $1k out of pocket is a hefty price for something that will not get you a return on your investment.

 

Ive mounted my own tires for 4 years and saved hundreds. I do it right the first time and know what match mounting is unlike every shop ive been to. Ive watched so called experts incorrectly use hunter balancers then lie to me straight in the face when I call them out on it. My time is valuable to me and I dont piss it away going back to shops 4+ times to do something I could have done right the first time.

If I factor my time pissed away over 2 sets of tires, one on this truck and one on my scion I could have purchased the balancer already (not including)

So it may be a waste or take 10000 years for it to pay for itself for you,but knowing its done right is more then worth it for me.

Wit h that said does anyone have any opinions on the machines themselves?

 

you should probably just go with there "best seller"

 

So... where do you live? If you're good with tire balancing, balancing tires for a few TW members could have that thing paid off in no time!

 

Isn't that just the balancer? How are you going to remove and install the tire back on the rim? Wouldn't you need the other machine with the metal shank to get the tires on and off the rims?

 

There are ways to mount/dismount tires other than with the hydraulic machine. LT tires aren't much fun without the machine (hell, they can be stubborn with the machine) but it can be done.

 

i really dont see the return on investment here. there are 900 places to get tires mounted and balanced, on the cheap, and while it doesnt seem it in your case, they usually turn out okay.

if you're going to dropping this kind of coin on garage equipment casue you do your own work... then buy a mid rise or full two post LIFT! almost the same investment and you'll be much happier turning wrenches...

but thats just me...

 

Im out in the az. I have wheel changer that allows me to break bead, dismount and mount fairly quickly. I can do 4 tires from bead break to inflation in 30 minutes or less. You can also use good old dashion spoons, although that takes farrrrr longer. I would mount my motorcycle tires with just spoons (r6). Oh and a lift is on the list, just not a need .... yet!

If it takes off and I get some regulars I would defintley invest in a hydraulic dismount/mounter..

 

Maybe to equate what im saying... when you purchase a ratchet set do you think, man this is going ro save me thousands... or... hey this is a useful tool I could use. Sure you could pay touse someone elses ratchet... but why not havw your own?

Im a diy-er who belives why pay others to do it when you can do it your self (and better). If I had good luck with the multitude of shops ive been to for tire related work then sure.. id go In
. But I simply dont.

 

Wow, that's a lot cheaper than i thought a balancer would be.

I have to get mine rebalanced every time i wheel, so i can see a machine like that paying for itself in a reasonable amount of time.

 

Having sold equipment for years I can tell you they are China junk. it may be fine for home use but it's not going to hold up long term and allow you to recoup your investment. Another draw back is should you have a problem with it finding someone to repair or supply parts is a nightmare. Not trying to sound like an a@# but there's a reason a bottom end Hunter or Coats machine starts at around $3500. A $200 dollar bubble balancer will do a better job.

 

A tire machine, balancer, and alignment machine are on my long term wishlist for similar reasons. The one and ONLY time I've bought tires and had everthing done right the first time was at Walmart of all places (cheap winters to get a car through winter before selling it). Every other time, something gets screwed up. My pet peave is when the clowns "balance" when there is still mud in the rims, despite being told to wash them out first.

That said, I would pick good used name-brand equipment over something like in your link, mostly thinking of long term servicability and support.