Harbor Freight changer, do I need the base if I already have a bead breaker?

[pnelson]

Subject says it all. I already have a good bead breaker. In looking at the Harbor Freight tire changer, it looks like the only use for the base is the bead breaker and holding the motorcycle changer accessory. So if I can make my own base, do I even need to buy the HF base? The changer is on sale right now for $39.

 

[avc8130]

Not technically, but you would be hard-pressed to make a base as easily as you can just buy theirs for what it costs.

Make sure you also do something to upgrade the rim clamping and mount/demount bar a bit. The stock HF setup is rim scratch city.

http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm

http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm

I've had a HF changer, with some small modifications similar to those, for close to 10 years. I recently picked up a NoMar and I'm not convinced I didn't piss my money away.

ac

 

[escapefjrtist]

If you have a hitch on one of your cars, make a square adapter and just buy the HF MC changer. One of my bitches on my HF changer is it's too tall (or I'm too short ) to lean into the sidewalls on stiff tires. Got it figured out, but I keep threatening to chop the bottom off...

--G