I had the same problem - nobody around here wanted to touch tube tires. I
used the HF tool to mount new tires on Dayton wires with good results. I
mounted the machine to a piece of scrap 4'x4'x3/4" plywood using stove
bolts - stand on the plywood while wrestling with the tire/wheel. I disabled
the dingus that is supposed to keep the wheel from turning because I didn't
want to risk screwing up a spoke. Judicious use of tire spoons (or big
screwdrivers) will work without requiring a lot of torque on the wheel (you
basically use the machine to hold the wheel at a comfortable working height
which in itself is a huge benefit). Getting the old tires off was a little
bit of a struggle - the new ones went on painlessly. Use some soapy water as
a lube. Mount the outside of the wheel down on the changer and work from the
back side of the wheel to minimize risk of damaging the front of the wheel.
Work slowly and carefully and you shouldn't have a problem.
(I also used HF's $12 bubble balancer - worked like a charm).
Glenn
>> Its getting harder and harder to find a shop that will change tires on
>> wire wheels, especially since I have to have tubes installed. they are
>> all
>> afraid of pinching the tube, or damaging the wire rim from the force of
>> the
>> machine, or they just don't want to deal with anything smaller than 24
>> inches...so, I was considering using one of Harbor Freights small tire
>> changers. The tire in question is a 165/70 13 - Has anyone used one of
>> these manual tire changing tools and if so, how well did it work? I am
>> not
>> too concerned with balancing the tire in question because I will be using
>> it for the spare anyway. I was also thinking that possibly a motorcycle
>> shop may be able to do the work since they regularly handle wire wheels
>> with tubes. Anybody try that as well? I would think that they might
>> also
>> be able to balance it, although most of their wheels have a different
>> hub,
>> probably without a hole in it, so I'm not sure how they balance
>> motorcycle
>> wheels.
>>
>> The changer can be seen at:
>> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34542
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