Interesting, Carl.  I've been wondering about this.

Don't put a lot of effort into an explanation if it's required to answer my question, but assuming you are starting from scratch with a bare rim and tire you just bought, is there a method to determine how what size weights to go on and whether they are needed on the front and/or back beads of the rim?  Or is it more of a trial and error thing.  I've never used a bubble balancer before so am used to playing dumb while the machine tells me what weights to put on.  

Also, are you able to determine exactly which weights to you will need initially, so you don't have to buy a bunch of weights you may never use?  I suppose you could initially buy a number of the more commonly needed ones and go from there.

MC wrote:

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Interesting, Carl.  I've been wondering about this.

Don't put a lot of effort into an explanation if it's required to answer my question, but assuming you are starting from scratch with a bare rim and tire you just bought, is there a method to determine how what size weights to go on and whether they are needed on the front and/or back beads of the rim?

Not really, it's pretty much trial and error. The instructions say to determine the amount of weight it needs and the location by placing the weight on the rim right at the bead of course until you find the right size (lets say 1 ounce). Then cut that figure in 1/2 and put equal size weights (in this case 1/2 ounce each) on the front and the back. I may try that but as Beaumontguru suggested in a message to me, why not put the rim on upside down and just put the full ounce on the back of the rim in the right spot? I realize this is not near as good as a spin balancer but in the 70's when I worked in a service station we never had any more than a bubble balancer and it got the balancing done ok.

  Or is it more of a trial and error thing.  I've never used a bubble balancer before so am used to playing dumb while the machine tells me what weights to put on.  

Also, are you able to determine exactly which weights to you will need initially, so you don't have to buy a bunch of weights you may never use? 

I've been collecting weights off junk rims for years so have a good selection. Also, the dealership I was at throws out 5 gallon pails of used weights, so I can get all I need there. 

I suppose you could initially buy a number of the more commonly needed ones and go from there.

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Very good topic carl!

My next question.  does the machine need to be on a level surface to start with?  and is there adjustable feet to compensate for an uneven floor?

beaumontguru wrote:

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Very good topic carl!

My next question.  does the machine need to be on a level surface to start with?  and is there adjustable feet to compensate for an uneven floor?

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 This is the type of balancer that I used back in the 70s. It had adjustable feet but I found that as long as the bubble was in the centre of the glass when you pushed the handle down you were good to go. I really dont know why it needed adjustable feet. 
the Instructions stated to level the machine first, then put the wheel on the balancer and then push the handle down to lift the tire to start balancing. 

Paul

This is the one on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07NCKHTYX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have been using one of these for 40 years, yeah Dad taught me as a young lad, still have it and use it.
As long as the floor is relatively level will work just fine, can be out say 1/4" from level and still work, it just balances on the centre pole.
As for putting wheel on upside down, doesn't work as the offset of the wheel has to be down, so center of mass is below the pivot point, exception is some aftermarket wheels with lots of offset to the outside, can only be done upside down.
Splitting the weights gives best balance, but if under say 2oz/ weight you can get away with 1 side and not notice on standard car size tires, the bigger the tire the more weight you can get away with, it's all relative
If the weight needs to be more than 2oz, then you have to use 2 weights and put them either side of the point of imbalance and slide them around the rim, equal opposite directions, until you fine that balance spot. So if it took 3oz to balance say at the valve stem for ease of reference you would take 2-2oz weights and put them about 30 degrees either side of the stem and them slide them together or apart until you find balance.(not sure if this is the clearest way to explain, I can show you when we get a chance to visit)
Best balance in this situation you would split both weights front and back. So if it took 2- 2oz weights to find balance, you would use 4 - 1oz weights on the wheel.
It's a lot of trial and error at first, over time you get to know how much weight needed just by how far off the bubble is.