Buy it. But also buy a set of tire spoons, rim protectors, and a bottle of Ru-Glyde lubricant. With those additions, the Companion HDTC will serve you for a decade. Without them, it’s a frustrating paperweight.
The unit comes with a heavy-gauge steel base plate and a solid central post. When bolted to a concrete floor (or a thick piece of plywood for portable use), it feels remarkably rigid. The bead breaker arm is cast iron and, so far, has handled rusted-on pickup truck tires without bending. companion hdtc
When looking for movie releases, it is useful to understand how HDTC compares to others: Buy it
The center cone and three adjustable arms do a decent job holding a steel wheel, but clamping an aluminum/alloy wheel is nerve-wracking. The metal clamps can scratch soft alloys. You will need plastic rim protectors (sold separately) to avoid cosmetic damage. Without them, it’s a frustrating paperweight