Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[5030]

A few months ago I ended up with a second hand HFT manual tire changer and used it for the first time over the last couple days. I took a 2x6 and screwed it to the top of a heavy duty pallet just over the middle board, split a 2x4 and put it on the sides so the cross has something to bolt to. The bead breaker part works ok, the two pieces of strap don't have enough lateral support which can be frustrating but wasn't too bad, 4 of the 8 tires I dealt with had bead glue holding them to the wheels which made it harder so I sat on the bar to keep some pressure then supplemented with the bead breaker chisel and 4lb mini sledge .

I agree it isn't great and would probably be harder on some stubborn tires but it BEATS THE HECK out of other manual methods I've used in the past!

Have one as well but it's anchored to the concrete floor with expansion anchors. I use it all the time and once you get proficient with it (and use plenty of dish soap with water as bead lubricant) it's not all that bad. I have the motorcycle tire changer accessory and use that as well but I welded the motorcycle tire changer arm up so it would not flex. I also have the HF bubble balancer and it works very well with their stick on wheel weights.

Use a farm tractor to break beads by driving over the edge with a rear tire..

 

[Grumpycat]

A few months ago I ended up with a second hand HFT manual tire changer and used it for the first time over the last couple days. I took a 2x6 and screwed it to the top of a heavy duty pallet just over the middle board, split a 2x4 and put it on the sides so the cross has something to bolt to. The bead breaker part works ok, the two pieces of strap don't have enough lateral support which can be frustrating but wasn't too bad, 4 of the 8 tires I dealt with had bead glue holding them to the wheels which made it harder so I sat on the bar to keep some pressure then supplemented with the bead breaker chisel and 4lb mini sledge .

I agree it isn't great and would probably be harder on some stubborn tires but it BEATS THE HECK out of other manual methods I've used in the past!

Those are pretty good for steel wheels you don't mind scratching. A good number of entrepreneurs offer kits to softly hold the wheel so as not to scratch aluminum or paint.

I have one but bit the bullet in purchasing a NoMar CH200 kit. Lost count but have mounted about 50 motorcycle tires the past 4 years. Motorcycle tires last about 8000 miles. Dealers typically charge $50 to $100/wheel to mount+balance a motorcycle tire in your vehicle if you buy the tires from them. A trusting friend dropped his off at a dealer he previously trusted with 2 tires purchased elsewhere and was charged $330 labor. 3 hours at $110/hr. Told him he could come to my place and pay with pizza.

 

[Sberry]

Just replaced about 30 screwdrivers and added some pliers. My comp tester broke, simple to replace. Added small set of 1/2 wobble extension impact.
If I had to start all over I would start there except for about a dozen common brand items.

 

[papa joe]

I have had the tire changer for many years. Built a frame to mount it on, plugs into the receiver hitch on my pick-up. Extends back far enough to install with the tailgate down, giving you a good work bench. I buy all of my tires online and mount them my self. I use dyna-beads to balance them. I do tires for my friends, also.

 

[lostcreekranch]

I'll give 5 stars to the HF 1500 watt heat gun. I primarily use it for heat shrink tubing and it's dual heat setting makes it very controllable. I think I paid about $12 for it 3-4 years ago.

15 Watt Dual Temperature Heat Gun

 

[5030]

I have had the tire changer for many years. Built a frame to mount it on, plugs into the receiver hitch on my pick-up. Extends back far enough to install with the tailgate down, giving you a good work bench. I buy all of my tires online and mount them my self. I use dyna-beads to balance them. I do tires for my friends, also.

Their static balancer is a good deal too.

 

[wheelbuilder]

I've had good luck with their 1 1/2hp dust collector. The shop is much cleaner.

 

[5030]

Bought myself the Lucid Autowerks Harbor Freight tire machine add on top piece with the duckbill tire remover. I'll tell you what. it's fantastic, Just as good as my Coats 1010 for tire removal and mounting but you supply the power and it don't take much. Comes ready to weld up and has a machine aluminum cone centering adapter for the rim than eliminates the alloy wheel scratcher than comes with the HF tire machine. It's not cheap but if you do a lkot of tires, like I do, it's worth it's weight in gold.

I recommend it 100%.

 

[i7win7]

I have had the tire changer for many years. Built a frame to mount it on, plugs into the receiver hitch on my pick-up. Extends back far enough to install with the tailgate down, giving you a good work bench. I buy all of my tires online and mount them my self. I use dyna-beads to balance them. I do tires for my friends, also.

Mounted mine on 2 by ? lumber. Use tractor and pallet forks to hold it down when I need it.

 

[stingray1]

I have had the tire changer for many years. Built a frame to mount it on, plugs into the receiver hitch on my pick-up. Extends back far enough to install with the tailgate down, giving you a good work bench.

I like this,sounds like a good setup.