Tire Changer and Wheel Balancer set

[Daniel]

Hello to all…So my father is toying with the idea of opening a small shop and possibly start with a tire changer and wheel balancer set. Looking for something not too cheap but also don’t want to break the bank. Anyone got any recommendations on websites/brands/sizes? Thanks

Topic

[zero]

Go Hoffman and be done. Unless you’re buying used, then whatever’s available.

[Daniel]

I would rather buy new. Just going to start off small on the weekends and see where it goes. Unfortunately I don’t have many resources on where to ask or receive info on this. So much info on the web it’s hard to tell who is lying or not. We are just backyard mechanics as of now, and neither of us have ever worked at a shop. Don’t want to waste a couple grand for nothing. Thanks for your input, I’ll be calling the hofman representative soon to see what they’re all about.

[Dave]

Lots of places make these machines. The ones we have at work are Hunter, Coats, Corghi.

Avoid anything that comes from China they are junk.

Try looking up Hanco or Rubber Inc.. Heck even your local auto parts stores can get them, I have heard good things about Bosch but haven’t tried them.

[Mike]

+1 to what brokemechanic3000 said. However, tires are one of the least profitable things we do at work. My friend with a small successful independent repair shop also tries to avoid tires and oil changes because there’s little money to be made, although he has a cheap tire machine out of necessity. You need to do a lot of volume or have very low operating costs to be profitable with it.

The most profitable area of tire work is big tires on big aftermarket rims you can charge extra for, but you need a very expensive touchless Corghi machine to give customers a reason to bring that work to you instead of a custom tire/wheel shop that can be held responsible if rims or tires get damaged.

[Lorrin Barth]

Okay, Fopeano, now you have me wondering, what work do you think might be most profitable or a small shop?

[Daniel]

I get what you mean Fopeano..A lot is based on demographics. I live in small rural town. Takes about 5 min to get from one side of town to the other. We don’t have any big name chain shops here. All are small independent shops. Just needed some equipment to start with. My father is bit older so not much he can learn and tires is easiest for him. Wheather the our small shop grows will mostly rest on my shoulders if I choose to take it serious and learn and advance in this field. Thanks for everyones input.

[Daniel]

I know this is not top brand but any thoughts on this?

Ohttp://www.eagleequip.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=EE&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=tire-changer-wheel-balancer-combos&Product_Code=EB1040-ETC550

Link doesn’t seem to work. Eagle equipment. Combo set around $2300.

[Andrew Button]

if you are in a small town ask around and see what services the community is lacking. Just don’t let any potential competitors know your angle, however. Be the guy that will help somebody on Sunday, or at night, and let the townsfolk know you are there for them. If they come to you at future date, and they trust you and your business, then you can possibly upsell them on service at that given point.

[Author]

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