Embarrass WI | I kept checking, it took a couple months but a used John Bean(Snap-On)rim clamp change turned up on Craigslist for $600. I dropped what I was doing and drove 70 miles and grabbed it, I had to wait for the guy to change a couple tires before I could have it. It was a guy with a one-man shop who did local service work/tires and was getting a new machine with more capacity.
Got the changer, started looking for a balancer, saw one on Craigslist for $75-figured no one wanted the old bubble balancers and I would wait a week or so, then buy it for $30-40. I was wrong, it sold in less than a day. Found that there's quite a few folks seeking the old bubble style balancers. I kept looking, scored one off Ebay for $125 but it was brand-spanking new military surplus and included the large wheel adapter. I have balanced a couple dozen tires so far with no problems. Mine is a Coats, like this one.
Like was said above, being able to mount used tires for little/no cost makes a big difference, used tires become much easier to deal with. I picked up a set of new take-off tires for my parts-chaser truck for $300(Michelins!), it's quicker to mount them at home than it is to drive to town. |