tire irons

mark180

mark180

Member
This is a bit of a noob question. Are there types of tire irons that are better than others? I haven't had to change a tube type tire since I was a kid. I don't want to get irons that will mess up my rims.
 
I use a pair of motorcycle irons, they are smooth and slightly curved, designed to be used with tubes , unlike some car tire irons.
 
Ken's Tools make the best tire irons. They have a curved dip at the end that makes changing tires simple with irons. Mohawk Rubber Company in Hingham MA is one dealer that I know that carries them, as that's where I got mine.
 
I took my hand operated held belt sander and put my own curve into some spoons I purchased from a Snap-On dealer, I then polished them up and they work slick.
 
All this brings to mind a slightly humorous story about a friend that was USAC national midget champion in 1954.
He was racing on a very limited budget as many were in those days. They sometimes raced 4 times a week and on both dirt and pavement. He could only afford one set of wheels so had to change tires each time they went to a different surface track. Believe it or not, several times I saw him change 4 wheels from slicks to dirt tires in 20 minutes with nothing but 2 big screw drivers and a ball peen hammer. Needless to say, the mag wheels didn't look too good after a 50 race season but they got the job done.
 
Worth mentioning, do not lube with soap. It helps create rim rust at the bead. Last time I did a set (on the ground) I tried WD40. It went well. Some like talc for slipperiness, another suggestion seen here on this forum, I forget who, is to use plastic trash bag. Sounds slick, Just pull it out when done.
 
I bought a 30" spoon type from Tractor supply, I use them to mount the 11.2x28 tires on my tractor, also have done several car tires with them.
 
If you are looking for full sized tire irons Firestone made some good ones.
Most tire men have their own favorites. Hammers as well for breaking beads.
Bruce
 
I am a professional tire guy and I use soap. The whole tire industry uses some form of soap. Good luck. Work a curved spoon bar carefully and you won't mess up your rim.
 
HI 38Tudor. Me too lots of tires. Worn out a couple of Coates machines. Started with a Bishman. When that broke had to use the floor with a hand breaker, then irons 'til we could buy a new one(new tires cost $12). I have a jug of Ru-glyde in the garage now. I just get tired of seeing steel rims that won't hold air because of rust pits. Tired of grinding, sanding, chopping rust. Then gluing the beads, to get a seal.
 
Pete said:
All this brings to mind a slightly humorous story about a friend that was USAC national midget champion in 1954.
He was racing on a very limited budget as many were in those days. They sometimes raced 4 times a week and on both dirt and pavement. He could only afford one set of wheels so had to change tires each time they went to a different surface track. Believe it or not, several times I saw him change 4 wheels from slicks to dirt tires in 20 minutes with nothing but 2 big screw drivers and a ball peen hammer. Needless to say, the mag wheels didn't look too good after a 50 race season but they got the job done.
Click to expand...

That reminds me when me and my friend both in our teens, his father had a 40 Ford pickup, he was changing a rear tire, he left a tire iron inside the rim, when't down rod a little ways, BANG, the tire iron poked a hole right through the rear fender. Walt
 
An ancient issue of Life Magazine I looked at, I think a wartime issue, had a big picture of items that had been found in flat tires...I could identify a number of Ford parts in the spread!
 
My personal favorite was a nine inch sawzall blade. But back in the day, those left over tires from the second war would give it up to sharp stones and tree twig fork joints.
 
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