How to use a manual tire changer - Harbor Freight 

Sounds like a creative fix. Some guys bolt them to sheets of plywood or even pallets. The anchors in the floor are definitely worth it. If you know someone with a 3D printer, you could print some plugs to go in the anchors when not in use. But....I doubt you'll be using the machine all that often, so your method will do the trick nicely. :) I'm happy to hear the video helped. -Mike

You're more than welcome. :) Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words. You just have to do a few times and you'll get the hang of it. Check the description box for a couple other links with info on the anchors and such. -Mike

Yes I have this tire machine from Harbor Freight and I did fabricate a duckbill attachment.. because most of my wheels are aluminum and I didn't want to scratch them.. And yes I did bolt mine to the concrete floor which definitely makes this so much easier, you're not fighting with the tire machine moving all over the place.. and I did rebuild the tire bead breaker.. because the original one will definitely Bend ...

@@garyindiana8037 That all sounds great. I checked your channel hoping to find a video.... :( Please let me know if you decide to do one. :) -Mike

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. :)

+olddavid4 You are more than welcome!! I can certainly agree with you on this point. :) Thanks!!!

Awesome! I learned on an old power tire changer at the base auto hobby shop.....40 years ago. lol

@@bluehandsvideo great! That’s a little while back for sure! Do you perhaps also have a video on how to balance tires?

@@UggaDuggaProductions Sorry I don't. I've always paid to have the tires balanced. Back then, it was a lot cheaper to have done. If I was still doing this, I'm sure I'd be balancing my own. lol

@@bluehandsvideo alright, no harm done. Over here putting 4 new tires on, so only mounting and balancing costs €100 which equals +/-$120, so about €25 or $30 per tire

@@UggaDuggaProductions No clue what it is over hear these days. I've heard good things about the bubble balancers, but you might look up info about putting beads inside the tire. They dynamically balance out the tire when it start turning.

There's plenty of vids on youtube showing the starting fluid method. The air blast tank is way safer!! LOL. I may be building one of those too. Thanks!

Thank you very much! I really like hearing that. :) Bolting it down is the single best thing you can do for that changer.

Thank you very much!!! That's exactly what I was going for. :)

lol....Thanks. :) I still try my best to respond to all of the comments. The channel has grown rather slowly, so it still isn't so big or busy that I can't keep up. :) Plus....I've actually made thousands of dollars from this video over the years, so the least I can do is respond to people that take the time to comment. Thank you!!

You're more than welcome! I'm really glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to comment!!. :) I used the bumper jack and screwdrive/tire irons as a kid.....I'd probably blow a disc if I had to do it that way again. lol

Thanks!! Bolting it down to the concrete is what makes it so usable. Welding it comes in a close second. If you expand the description box, you'll find links to more info about the anchors I used. Good luck with yours. I hope it performs as well as mine has. :) Mike

Yep.....they had some nice heavy duty....but manual...tire changers back then. When I was a kid, I changed a few in the dirt driveway without a changer. My dad showed me how to use a bumper jack to break the bead and tire irons to change the tire. Around '83, I was in the AF and the base hobby shop had a machine. I changed quite a few tires on that machine. I really enjoyed doing it! This tire changer is in the middle of those two. lol I changed a lot more tires on this one than I ever did on the other two combined. I think I would have enjoyed that job at Sears. :) -Mike

Thanks! :)

Steven Guldenstein Hi Steven! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment! Congrats on getting it fixed. :) Thanks!! Mike

Thanks.

+redwhitentrue You're right!!! Considering the size of the shop and the fact that I could unbolt it and store it in the shed, it was as close to "ultimate" as I could justify. :) And now that I don't use it, it's still perfect. lol I've got a cnc mill sitting over the anchors now. :) Thanks! Mike

Flipping the bar like that to get the last of it on is pretty common on tight tires....I know I've done it quite a bit.....but thanks for pointing it out in case others don't figure it out.

Thank you very much!! I originally learned how to change tires with the old, powered tire changer that works just like these manual ones. Understanding that machine made using this one simple, just way more physical. lol :)

You're kidding right? looks like is the very first time he does that work..

LOL....not sure about that, but thanks. :)

Oliver Klozeoff Great information!!!! Thanks!!

You're more than welcome! :)

+Andrew King Thank you very much!!!! :)

Not sure why it wouldn't, but it is definitely old technology.

Same, works easy on tires with thin rubber but not heavy duty tires

Thank you very much Captain Ron! I really appreciate hearing that. :) Mike

bluehandsvideo Well done dude. Apparatus.

Gandalf the White Thanks!

@@Rodsupremos q +11@

+Graham Hall Thank you very much Graham!!! :) Have fun with it! Mike

LOL....maybe back then. I've still got the weight to put behind it, but my strength seems about half of what it used to be. I actually just gave this tire changer away to a buddy a few days ago.

Thanks! I'm in an area where we don't get much snow, so I have a second set of rims with my snow tires mounted on. I can switch out quick and easy when I need to. If you put your winter tires on and leave them on for the season, this will pay for itself the first use. Google "tire balancing beads". A lot of guys use Airsoft pellets.

Double check that the tire going back on is the correct size. There's no way you'll get a 13" tire onto a 14" rim. Also, make sure that the bead of the tire going on is in the valley of the time. If it's up on the lip where the bead will sit after it's on, it will never stretch over the outside edge of the rims. I show this right at the 12:14 min mark.

Thanks, I very much appreciate you taking the time to reply. I can't for the life of me see what is wrong, the tyre and rim are both 14 inch and I am putting the same tyre back on the same rim it came off so definitely not different sizes. I cant even get the first bead to go back on while I see you got the first bead on by hand. The bead seems to be in the valley, I can see from underneath that it's in there but it gets three quarters of the way on and then gets so tight it will not go any further. I'm in Australia, you can probably tell by my calling a tire a "tyre" but I'm certain the laws of physics are the same here, even though everything is upside down and we drive on the other side of the road. Surely our tyres and rims are the same here as in the States? I just can't see what I'm missing. Oh BTW, we definitely don't use ruglide when getting romantic with our kangaroos. That's probably something you should take up with the New Zealanders and their sheep. (joking, of course) Lol

You're more than welcome. Roo-glide!! That's funny!!!! Hmmm.....only 3/4's of the way on the first side. That's especially strange since it's the same tire that came off.......so it has to be in the technique. Oh....which way do you have the rim? if you notice, the valley is typically off center. of the valley is closer to the bottom of the rim as you're trying to mount it, they that's the problem. The tires can really only go on the rim one way. The tire can be flipped....it's symetrical.....but the valley needs to be near the top of the rim when you put it on. Maybe you have a weird rim and it's reversed? If you've got any pictures you'd like to send me, you can contact me on the contact page of my site..... www.bluehandsfab.com ....at the bottom of the page is a link to upload pics/files if you'd like. If you have a vid and upload it, put a link in your reply and I'll take a look at it. I'm really kind of thinking that the valley is in the wrong position...it's the only thing that I can think of. Mike

@@bluehandsvideo Hi Mike. There must be a difference between US tires and the Australian tyres I think. I have checked all of your suggestions and still can not get this tyre to fit back on. After a huge wrestling match I did get the first bead on but was not able to manage this without damaging the tyre bead. It did prove to me that the tyre is definitely a 14 inch as is the rim otherwise, as you said, it would be impossible to get it on at all. The second bead is even tighter and there is no chance at all of it going on. The valley of the rim is closer to the outer face side of the wheel so a normal type of rim. I may try to get some video of my efforts but, for now I need to attend to my injuries and get my breath back after my last round with this malicious beast. Unfortunately, I am far too old and fragile now to consider this an easy DIY option. It seems I may have to relegate this new contraption to the scrap metal pile. I tell yer what though. I thought trying to have sex with a kangaroo was rough and dangerous but, after this darned thing I'm not so sure.

Hi Paul, Sorry to hear you damaged the bead. Did you have this much trouble getting the tire off the rim? It will be interesting to see a video if you do one. Maybe leave the kangaroos for the young guys......Koala's are much cuter anyway. :)

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it! :)

I don't use lube every time, but when I don't, the rubber tends to tear. ;) LOL

Thank you very much!!!

M Campbell I agree to bad it wasn't a little closer

Wow! Thank you so much for taking to time to post such a wonderful comment!! I really do appreciate it!! You wouldn't believe how many "fat" comments I've gotten over the years from this video. LOL Did you open up the "show more" on the description box? Kinda sounds like you did. There's more specific info there about the anchors and other tools. It's definitely a bit on the long side, but some of that is the "fun" stuff at the end. lol Thanks again!!!!! Mike

@@bluehandsvideo obviously the people watching were not trying to learn how to use the machine properly or get tips if they had time to make jokes about your weight. I would like to have more information on how to put a brand new tire on the rim. I don't have the power to push the first part of the tire down on the rim. I'm a little on the light side, and short too. Lol

@@cheryljago2459 Yep....trolls will be trolls. lol It was pretty obvious that they weren't there for anything relating to tire changing. Hmmm.....I guess I don't really show that in the vid. New tires are a bit tighter than the used ones. Are you using lube? Liquid dish soap should work and will help a lot! If you start the vid at the 11:00 minute mark, you do the same thing with the first bead, it's just a bit harder since the bulk of the tire is in the way. Once you get the tire bead in the V of the bar, hold the first bead below the rim and move the tool around the rim in a clockwise direction....same as shown for the second bead. You'll want to hold the tire bead under the rim. As it starts to go on, the tire will hold itself in position, but it will want to rotate with the tool when you start. It's rather hard to explain and I don't have the changer anymore.....otherwise, I'd consider doing a short vid for you. His setup is different, but he uses a clamp/holder to help start the tire. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z10aytYSr3c.html It's on the second half of the tire, but it will give you an idea how it works. You might be able to use vise grips or a C clamp.

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+sahmadi1000 Thank you! You're more than welcome! I store mine in the shed. I only bring it in when I need it. That's why I used the type of anchor I did....so that when I don't need it, I don't have any studs sticking up from the floor. I have links in the description box to other vids showing the anchors. Thanks!! Mike

If you pull down the "show more" for the description, I have a link to a vid that shows the anchors specifically. Thanks!! I use the same anchors with eye bolts in the driveway to hold my carports down. :)

I will click the link.... "...to hold my carports down." so you are saying they are strong! lol Thanks again.

You're more than welcome!

+s jordan Thanks! Having it anchored down and also having some weight to put behind the bar makes it a lot easier. :) That's an older video.....even more equipment in there now! lol .....master of none! :)

I remember those!!! I don't think I've seen one since the 80's. I doubt they'd work on the extremely stretched tires like the air blast tanks, but for normal tires....they seemed pretty good. I've always wondered if one fit all diameters of rims. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

bluehandsvideo They do fit all diameters of rims. It has double D rings on one end and the other end is the belt. The trick is to tighten the deflated belt in the center of the tread as much as you can before airing it up. As you inflate the belt it forces the beads to tighten against the rim. They can be dangerous if not used properly. Many guys have been injured by them exploding from over-inflation. The key is to start with the belt extremely tight before inflating so it can do its job. Starting with a loose or excess slack belt may not tighten against the tire enough and this is where guys get in trouble over-inflating the belt until it explodes.

liv2drive1 Ah...thanks for the explanation! I had originally thought it was an inflatable o-ring that fit between the bead and the rim......they'd hold enough of the air in and get pushed out as the tire inflated. I can imagine the ones you were using could cause some pretty good pain if not used right! I think I'd be getting an air canon/tank if I had more tires to do. Thanks again!!!!

I about peed myself on the first attempt with the starting fluid! lol Thanks for all the kind words. :) This is by far my most watched vid. There are times I think that I should try to do more of these type, but I just don't work on car stuff that much any more. Plus, I've got even more equipment in the shop now. I still do car related stuff, but it's designing/building parts for cars...more specifically, old Datsun trucks. I still don't have a problem showing my "fails".....I think there's almost more to be learned from some of them than a perfect run through. Plus...I don't rehearse anything before hand, so I end up videoing the good and bad.....why waste it. :) Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!!!!! I really appreciate it! Mike

I have fond memories of the Datsun cars and trucks from the 70's. Everything is so big and bloated these days. Also, I like the tub of tire dressing - I have seen that at the tire shops and could see the value right away.

They're great little cars and trucks! They're bringing the Datsun name back. Already have models overseas....no clue when they'll come to the states. If you scan the comment to this vid, there's a lot of other suggestions for lubricating the bead of the tire. If you don't do it very often, some of them may fit the bill better than buying a gallon of this stuff. :) I don't typically use it when removing a tire, but it does help a lot with removal! :)

We had a 76 B210 fastback.....LOVED it!! We never got that kind of mileage with it. I think 36 was the best for me. Might have hit 40 if my wife had been driving. :) We thought about getting another, but they're too low to the ground and too small these days.......and by that I mean we're too old and fat for them to be comfortable!! lol :)

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback! I'm really glad it helped. :) Thanks!!

Yep,...had to part the walker just out of camera view. :)

I agree...the bolts were pretty pathetic! Welding made a huge difference.

Welding the bead breaker arm with some cross braces is good too, because it tends to twist and distort with the force needed for some tough beads.

***** You're more than welcome! Glad to hear it! Did you see the other video about the anchors I used? I've heard from a couple of guys that have poured a small concrete slab outside of their shop to anchor theirs down. We get too much rain to consider that option. Thanks!!!

You're more than welcome. Floor mounting it is definitely the way to go. If you expand the description box, there's links to other info, including the anchors I used. Thanks for watching and commenting! :) -Mike

best way to not scratch or damage the rim edge is simply to turn the rim upside down with the face pointing downwards. Just cut a hole in a rubber mat and place it on the top surface of the harbor freight tire changer. When working on the backside it doesn't matter if you get some minor scratches

You're more than welcome! Thanks for the info and insight. :)

@@bluehandsvideo Harbor's tool has a great price. But I have two complaints about it. 1) The little triangular steel bump on the frame, shown to the left of the screen at 1:17 tends to scratch steel rims and gaul aluminum ones. I place fabric over this, which quickly gets chewed through but protects the rim. 2) My biggest complaint is exactly what you mentioned at 4:18. Even with the rim shoe set at the highest leverage, the angle was often not sufficient to stop the shoe from falling to the center of the sidewall. I resorted to various 'grunt' means to force the shoe to stay in position. Again, I suspect that the rims used in off road applications may have a slightly different geometry, making more difficult to unseat the tire.

@@gregparrott I did the same.....folded shop rag over the angled piece. Yep....I never liked the angle...or the weakness of the bars. If I used it all the time, I would have done some mods to it. I hadn't used it for at least 5 years??....so I gave it to a buddy a couple of months ago. :) I don't have any clue about the off road stuff.....you may very well be right about them.

+Clayton H Great fix! I'm surprised mine haven't bent...the bar bows before the flats bend much. Thanks for the tip!!!

Thanks for the tip! That's the first time I've heard of GOOP being suggested. I'll have to keep that in mind. Thanks! Mike

Dobie Gillis Awesome!!! I'm happy to hear that! You're more than welcome! Since my garage is full of equipment now, I think I'm going to put some anchors in the driveway so I can mount it out there when I need to. :) Thanks! Mike

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+MegaBearslayer Awesome! The trick is to get it anchored down really well. Click the "show more" to see links about the anchors. It paid for itself the first time I swapped 4 tires/rims around :)

+bluehandsvideo I have used a wood splitter and tire irons to break beads but no more! thanks for the response and the advice.

+MegaBearslayer Wood splitter....very creative....never would have thought of it!! :) You're more than welcome! Mike

Yep....mine paid for itself the first time I did a set of 4 tires. :)

+The Viewer I've very happy to hear that! :) Yes, it's perfect for the home shop! Thanks!!

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I've done some truck tires with stiff sidewalls that were a ton more work. These were nice used 14" passenger tires. New tires are definitely stiffer and typically require more lube.....the new flashing on the inner edge can get caught and tear if you do it dry. I'd almost rather fight with getting it on then having to fight with getting the bead to seal up enough to start filling up. If you can still do 105 pushups, I doubt strength was an issue......but I'm sure I have a lot more weight to put behind the bar!! LOL Thanks!

The silicone you mentioned will probably help it last longer too. :)

Good point! Thanks!

Me too........since I haven't used this changer in at least 6 years....in fact, I gave it away over a year ago. lol Thanks!! :) -Mike

+Posting House You're more than welcome :)

You're more than welcome! Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate that very much. :) Mike

Awesome! I'm happy to hear that. :)

My bar started to bend and I thought I'd have to do the same thing, but I've gotten lucky so far. I hardly use it anymore. Did you happen to lengthen the pipe for more leverage while you were at it?

You're more than welcome!! I'm happy to hear that it helped. :)

Thanks for the feedback!! I think that's the only vid with it......I'll have to do it some more. :) Mike

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Great idea!!

not2fast4u2c Thanks!!! Yep....that starting fluid trick at the end is quite the trick. I was so intrigued with it when I watched it in other youtube vids, I just had to try it. I had to throw away those shorts, but it was worth it. :)

+Ron Moore You're more than welcome Ron. Yep....without putting them in the middle part, it's extremely hard....maybe impossible?....to get the tires on. I'm glad the vid helped!! Thanks, Mike

I used to fill tires up like that all the time. I'd have to try it again, but I don't think these universal connectors will do it. I know I tried it before and it didn't work, but I can't be sure which connector I had on the hose at the time. I'll have to check again. Thanks!!

+Valdir Alves If you click the "show more" under the description box, I have a link to another video with the dimensions of the changer.

LOL! I know what you mean! As a teenager, I did it manually in a dirt driveway. I used a bumper jack and weight of my dad's full size truck to break the beads, then used tire iron/lug wrenches straight out of the trunk to swap the rubber. I'd be in the hospital if I tried to do 4 tires like that today!! :)

Awesome! I'm glad you like it! I hope it helps :)

+Ronguor ShieldWolf Seems youtube missed sending me a lot of notices on comments. Thanks!! Mike

You're more than welcome! Thank you very much!!!

Now I have a question that maybe you can help me with:) I bought the changer and with your instructions it works like a champ! The question is; do you know if the HF balancer will work with a dulley wheel, I have searched google and RU-vid , I even went back to HF and they didn't know ..the questionable hitch that I am concerned about is the weight of the dulley wheel. I don't know if it will bottom out and possibly damage the balancer . Thanks for any input. Sincerely Phillip Hall

phillip hall I was just looking at the manual online. I don't see a weight limit listed anywhere, but the cone will only handle up to a 4" center hols. If the dually rim has a larger hole than that, I'd say no, it won't work. I'd be careful placing the wheel on the balancer if it's really heavy. Hmmm.....get the lifetime warranty with it.....just in case :)

:) good advice, even if its not useable in this application at least I can still use it for my regular car and truck tires. It's a rewarding feeling to be able to handle the tire situation myself at home , especially with online tire shopping wirh the tires delivered right to our door. Thanks again for your easy to understand video and you input about the balancer. God Bless You and your family . Sincerely , Phillip Hall

phillip hall You're more than welcome Phillip! Thank you! :) Mike

:)

Thanks! Nearly another decade older since then. ;)

Thank you very much!! You're more than welcome. :) If I count the editing time, that was the most profitable 2hrs of my life. lol

Thank you very much!!! :) You're most welcome! Mike

Thank you very much! :)

+scyth625 Thanks. I've only gotten damage on tires that had dry, crusty beads already. The sound was just dry rubber squeaking on the dry rim. You can see the bead at 7:54 and it's not ripped.....but I have had them rip. Since the tire hangs by the rim in free space, air it up doesn't cause any issues......but it does on the old style automatic tire changers....did that a bunch of times before I finally learned! lol :)

+bluehandsvideo Thanks for the reply and taking the time to make the video. I have been unhappy with the HF tire machine but use it to break the beads when needed.

+scyth625 I'm sorry to hear that you don't like it. Have you seen the bar by No-Mar? They have a delrin end on them to stop the marring on nice rims, but I think it might help with the beads tearing on you.

+Rory Siwik Thanks!! :)

Thank you! You're more than welcome. :)

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Cool! If you like the tool holder, I posted another vid with the dimensions. I put a link in the description box above....just click the show more. I wish there was a cheap way to dynamically balance tires. I'm not a big fan of bubble balancers......especially on wider tires/rims. Have fun!!!!

You're more than welcome!! Thanks!

bluehandsvideo The one I used to have, stayed with the house we sold and I went and bought the bigger another one today, now that I know how to use it properly. ;)

Thanks! I'm happy to hear that. :) I was a bit rusty...hadn't done one in some time when I made this vid. I figured I shoot the vid since I was pretty sure it was my last time doing it......and it was. I gave that changer away a few years ago. -Mike

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lol....Thanks! I learned the principles on an old automatic machine at the base hobby shop. I changed a ton of tires on this manual machine. I gave it to a friend a couple of years ago. :)

You're more than welcome. I hope you get it figured out. -Mike

kuladeeluxe From the time I started buying from HF.....about 10 years ago?.....that's exactly what they've done. The prices have gone up some, but the quality of certain things....especially electric tools.....has gotten way better!!! Certainly still room for improvement!! The most common input on lube from commenters is dish soap. Is the leather conditioner a rubber cleaner too? I have no clue about leather conditioner. Thanks!!!

You're more than welcome. Sometimes, it's the small details that make the biggest difference. :) Mike

When I originally learned how to use a tire machine, I was never shown to use the lube when removing the tire. So, I don't think to do it when I use this machine. But.....it's a great idea and it's been pointed out several times by other viewers. If I ever change any tires again, I'll have to keep it in mind. Thanks!!

That's a great idea!!! The anchors in the floor aren't deep enough to hold a stud long enough to work with the tire changer, but I can see it working for some other items. I have a 2' long air nozzle.....I just blow them out. Thanks!

You're welcome :) I've seen these mounted on 2" square tubing so that they can be hooked to a receiver hitch. Here's one option if the link works. www.mytractorforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=896137&d=1405853257

According to a bunch of comments on this vid, dish soap is just fine. The Ru-glyde feels just like dish soap anyway. I'm glad I explained it clear enough :) The 105 pushups was a reference to one of your vids :)

Great tip! Thanks!!

You're more than welcome Mike! I started this channel to share info and learn. I've gotten some great stuff from comments that have been left. The least I can do is answer any questions that come up. If I had a 17" rim, I'd try it, but everything I have is 15" or smaller..........sorry.....not gonna unmount one of the tires on my new Forte. LOL ! :)

+Edgardo Valle Thanks! I'm not sure why you're only seeing one like.....it's got 1651 likes right now....and 148 dislikes! LOL! Thank you Edgardo!! :) Mike

☺ no prob i was planing on getting one so i can slowly build my own shop were did you buy it

+Edgardo Valle I got this one from Harbor Freight. If you click the "show more" in the description box above, I've got another vid with dimensions of the tool holder if you want to build one yourself. :)

+bluehandsvideo sure

I think you're saying that I have a lot of weight to put behind it. lol I do. Less now, though. :) Thanks!!

Thank you very much!! You're more than welcome. I'm happy to hear that. :) Mike