tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

I use a pair of motorcycle irons, they are smooth and slightly curved, designed to be used with tubes , unlike some car tire irons.

Re: tire irons
 

X2 on the bike irons.
Use emory paper to smooth them if the are new.
Bruce

Re: 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.

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

I think the curved spoon type is best for tube tires.

Re: tire irons
 

Harbor Freight for the money. Enjoy yer day, Tom

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

Gemplers has a really good range of tire tools, all sorts of irons, a neat bead breaker, and consideration of tubes because their customers are dealing with all sorts of agricultural and trailer tires, not just late model cars: http://www.gemplers.com/tires-supplies

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

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

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

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

Re: tire irons
 

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!

Re: tire irons
 

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.

Re: tire irons
 

When I was in the army, we would get quite a few rifle cartridges shoved in tires, mostly when out on maneuvers.