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05-24-2019, 10:47 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,098
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Bubble balancer from HF?
Has anyone used this? I am looking to buy one this Monday with the 25% coupon.
I have given up on beads. https://www.harborfreight.com/portab...cer-39741.html |
05-24-2019, 11:09 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,414
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
I use one similar to this I've had for 50 + years with older style crimp on weights. Works fine for classic wheels one can't fit on modern machines. I place weights on the back side (though recommended to be on both rim sides ) and paint them wheel colors. The bubble must be as centered as possible without hub caps.
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05-24-2019, 12:05 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
I have always mounted and balanced my own tires on all my cars using a bubble balancer. I bought it at a garage sale and it's saved me a young fortune over the years. These costs have risen at an alarming rate. As was said, split the weight (one once= !/2 and 1/2 oz.) and put a 1/2 weight one each side of the rim. I've done a lot of highway driving and never had problems with wheel balance. I'd say, go for it.
Terry |
05-24-2019, 01:38 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Windy City
Posts: 2,919
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
You may find the springs too heavy for a Model A wheel and tire to compress. You definitely can't set a bare "A" wheel (rim only) on the one my neighbor has and get them to compress. If you encounter this either replace the springs with softer or just tie the ring down and be careful to set the wheel on level, with the bubble glass centered exactly in the wheel.
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05-24-2019, 02:48 PM | #5 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SoCal Desert
Posts: 826
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
Quote:
Regards Bill |
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05-24-2019, 06:05 PM | #6 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santee Calif.
Posts: 509
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
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Quote:
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05-24-2019, 06:39 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,496
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
I made my own balancer. I welded an old stub axle to an upright madefrom scrap metal and mounted a hub on it with used bearings (no pits) and a little OIL. It turns very freely. I put the wheel on it and the heavy spot goes to the bottom. By adding weights at the top, I get a balance which is good to over 60 mph. That's enough for me!
Total cost? About 30 cents!
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I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood. |
05-25-2019, 12:02 AM | #8 |
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Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,339
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
I have one of these and it works good. But since I tried balancing beads I no longer use it. I have no problems with the beads and I got rid of the fugly weights.
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05-25-2019, 03:10 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 479
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
The HF balancer looks just like the one I bought 45+ years ago; which is about the same price that I paid for the one I bought. I mount and bubble balance all my own tires.
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05-25-2019, 06:46 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,098
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
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05-25-2019, 08:25 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 3,470
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
I have the HF bubble balancer, and the bubble cannot be seen with hubcaps on.
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Bob Bidonde |
05-26-2019, 10:28 AM | #12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,098
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Re: Bubble balancer from HF?
Bob, I am smarter than the average model a'r. I just drilled a 3/4 inch hole in the center of each hub cap to view the bubble. Smart huh!.
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