Anyone ever seen or used one of these? What exactly was it's wheel-related function- split rings? Can it be safely used on Budd 20" rim split rings (it opens wider than 20", but the whole split ring issue makes me nervous- I'd still wrap a chain around thru the rim even if a dozen people told me this was specifically designed for split rings. Thanks.
That tool is for the early car demountable clincher or straightside rims. It's not for a later style dropcenter rim. It'a NOT for split rims, Please be carefull! The type of rim that would have used that was pretty much out of fashion by 1930.
I've been doing 20" wheels since the 50's and I never saw anything like that. 4 port Riley must be right. If you are doing tube type truck tires, all you really need is a sledge hammer to lossen the rust. A wedge to break the bead. And a couple of pry bars to get the lock ring out of the groove and stared to move. They are kinda like a big snap ring. I just did two flats this week, hadn't done a 20" tube tire in maybe 10 years. All the new tubes and flaps are from China, and the ones that failed, the guy said 4 or 5 years old and they were dry rotted and cracked, also China. Frank
I have a set of 20's I need to dismount from the rims, can I cut the split rim retainer with a torch, or other method to get them off? Is the danger only there when they are aired up? I've heard all the horror stories, and no one in my area will touch them. I have to put them on the other rims too. These are big truck tires, not dubs..
I've only done 1 split ring so far- I wrapped chain thru the rim holes (spiriled thru 4) to retain the ring should it pop. The tire was completely deflated, but that's spring steel, seemingly, and even if it only moves a foot and just glances you in the chin, it's not going to feel like a kiss, right? There's an independant tire store not too far from me- they sell everything up to tractor tires and they had a guy who'll do split ring rims. Any farmers out there in Palmdale? Found the following :
Danger is while putting air in. You will not get it apart with air in it. Air keeps it together. The horror stories are mostly from ignorance of not knowing how to approach the task. Sure there have been some that have blown up while inflating, Mismatched parts, and improper ***embly, i'd bet. You need to "break the beads" first. That means getting the rubber loose from the metal. Gasoline, a sledge hammer and a wood spliting wedge. Than you can easily remove the lock ring or rings. pry bars and common sense. If you don't free the bead from the rim, even cutting the rim apart will not separate the rubber from the iron. Any old truck guy can do this for you. Everybody used to do their own. It's easier to fix one on site than bring it to a tire guy. I used to fix them on the side of the road, or in a parking lot,and so did most everyone. Ask old timers that had trucks, farm trucks, dump trucks, etc.
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