[Shop-talk] HF Tire Changer

[Nolan]

Any tire changer that works with a bar in the center going around the rim 
will rub the rim and marr it to some degree.  If you need to avoid all 
contact with the rim you need to find a shop that uses something like a 
Hunter A34 or other leverless unit.  You won't find that at your normal 
garage, but sometimes find it a the bling shops specializing in ricers.

The harbor freight tool rubs no worse than any other tire changing machine. 
Because it is new, it will leave red paint, just like a new commercial unit 
will.  Wire brush the paint off the contact area of the mounting arm to 
eliminate this.  Though after a few tires, it will be gone also.


> Thanks Guys.  Everything here sounds about as expected, except Steve's 
> comment
> about not using it on any wheel I want to look nice.  5 of the wheels are
> alloys that I bought for one of my Alpines.  It will be a while before I 
> use
> them (hence the desire to store them away), but I am going to want to 
> refinish
> and polish them. They have some marks on them already; I don't want to 
> make it
> worse.