tire irons

[mark180]

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.

[Ralph Moore]

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

[cmbrucew]

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

[russcc]

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.

[rotorwrench]

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.

[Pete]

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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.

[38Tudor]

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

[A bones]

Harbor Freight for the money. Enjoy yer day, Tom

[A bones]

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.

[Bruce Lancaster]

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

[corvette8n]

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.

[cmbrucew]

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

[38Tudor]

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.

[A bones]

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.

[Walt Dupont--Me.]

Originally Posted by Pete

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.

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

[Bruce Lancaster]

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!

[A bones]

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.

[Ralph Moore]

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