Rim clamp tire changer VS older center post question

[Dan_69GTX]

What can a older center post tire changer do that a rim
clamp can not do?

This is for my own use at home. Until recenty I have only
ever used the center post style. I have a 40-40SA tire
changer. Just bought a used Accu-turn 526THP. Wondering if
it is worth keeping the 40-40SA or selling it. I don't do
many tires a year - just for family and a few friends use
it. I upgraded because I now own a truck and a car that I
can't use the center post style for.

I don't want to sell the 40-40SA and then find out I
shouldn't have, yet I don't see what I'll need it for.

 

[Wayne M.]

I've seen a center post machine destroy a nice alloy wheel just on the bead break. The rim clamp will not stress the wheel the same, and the stand off "spoon" will not harm the wheel.
The old machine will always be good for steel wheels etc.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yea, I've seen that too.

I'm asking cause I'm trying to decide if it is worth keeping the post style machine or recoup some $ and sell it.

 

[Wayne M.]

I can't say I've ever seen a rim clamp handle a steel wheel. I wonder if it can bite into it. If you think you'll see those wheels, I'd plan to keep both.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yes, a rim clamp can handle all steel, aluminum, etc rims.

From my research it looks like a post style is faster and can handle damaged rims. Neither are concerns of mine.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Ok, update on the tire changer.

Glad I sold the old one, but I do miss it. For general changing tires from old steel rims, it was much faster. However for the little I do the new (to me) rim clamp is just fine.

With the rim clamp I can dismount/mount all tires so far - even the little dinky spare tires. If the rim clamp didn't have the helper arm, I'd be getting the helper arm. Almost necessary for the small tires as well as the very low profile or run flat tires.

Dan