I would normally avoid KF and use an Indy but £200 saving! very hard to ignore.

Too true!!!!!!......

You all forgetting that few balancing machines give you choices of programs and it really depend what way you balance it might come with very odd readings. For example you might have a wheel that require 120g - 50g on one side and 70 on other (because its bent or something else). Since you have alloy wheel and you dont want to stick on 120g on wheel there is program that allows you to do balancing on one side which might ask for 20g in total as a counter balance to other reading to equilize the difference. After all its all about make it even spin. There are plenty ways to do it right but only mechanic who pays attantion to details wont need to do it twice.

Its not "black art" but it does require some skills and "that touch" - specialy on cases like this one.

Cheers Allias, you gave me a good contact for future reference. I think 'black art' needs to be translated into 'well trained' or 'skilled operator'.

Something that seems to be lost in many areas lately, not just automotive.

You all forgetting that few balancing machines give you choices of programs and it really depend what way you balance it might come with very odd readings. For example you might have a wheel that require 120g - 50g on one side and 70 on other (because its bent or something else). Since you have alloy wheel and you dont want to stick on 120g on wheel there is program that allows you to do balancing on one side which might ask for 20g in total as a counter balance to other reading to equilize the difference. After all its all about make it even spin. There are plenty ways to do it right but only mechanic who pays attantion to details wont need to do it twice.

Its not "black art" but it does require some skills and "that touch" - specialy on cases like this one.

Very true .........

I remember looking at all the programmes on the machine that "my" tyre fitter used......lots of different ways...even asked me if I WANTED THE WEIGHTS HIDDEN!.........(had about 4 or 5 programmes???)

The most accurate way appaently is the "old fashioned".....clip weight on outer rim both sides.......I have my OEM alloys balanced this way....the weights are special coated (grey paint??) and my OEM alloys have the old fashioned "rim"...and I've had this lot do it several times to these rims over the years...WITH NO damage to the alloy!!!!...so they know what they are doing!!! My summers don't have the "rim" so the stick on weights are on the inside of the rim behind the spokes!