Homemade Tire Seating Tool

[KC-Steve]

In another thread under tires, http://forums.bikeride.com/thread-1084.html , Bill inspired me to create my own Tire Seating Tool after seeing that Park's was almost $50.

http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-PTS-1-Tire-Seating/dp/B000OZBJVU/

I cut a 3/4" x 2" piece black steel pipe as close to center as I could but was off-center so I used the smaller of the two halves to weld it on a Chinese water pump wrench, top jaw. The other half is just 1/8" thick flat steel cut to size about 1/2" x 2". I then welded that to the bottom jaw. You'll need a vise to hold things while welding. And since the channel locks are chrome plated you will need to wear a chemical filter mask because chromium in a gas state is deadly. Total cost is about $5 for the Chinese pliers.

Nothin' to it to show really.

Temps reached almost 60 here so my day was productive!

Steve

[Alex Ramon]

Nice work!

[jr14]

Another to add to my homemade tool collection!

[KC-Steve]

Thanks guys!

Steve

[Bill]

Glad to have inspired ya . They look great for as you put nothing special . Have you got to try them out?

[Bill]

(03-06-2010, 03:37 PM)Bill Wrote:  Glad to have inspired ya . They look great for as you put nothing special . Have you got to try them out?

This is an addition, but Steve message me I may want to buy one from ya if your interested.

[KC-Steve]

(03-06-2010, 10:13 PM)Bill Wrote:  This is an addition, but Steve message me I may want to buy one from ya if your interested.

Yes, I would be interested. If you want the Chinese pliers I used in the photo then I need to see if I can find them still selling for $5. They were on a clearance table and might be able to get the same price. I'll check. And I'll see about shipping too.

I tested the tool on a Raleigh (27x1/1/4) and it works great. The flat-side jaw lands on the tire rim so let me know if you would rather have 2 semi-circular jaws. I kinda like the fact that it hits the rim though, for added leverage when pulling the tire back into the rim. But let me know your preference when I PM ya with details.

Thanks,
Steve

[KC-Steve]

I also found a rubberized spray used as undercoating on cars that can be used on the tool to protect the alloy rims from scratches. I haven't tested the coating yet though. I'm waiting for it to dry. I'm not sure how well it will hold up.

Steve

[Bill]

Brilliant addition, hope that turns out to be of assistance! I'll email ya in a minute.

[KC-Steve]

^^ That rubberized coating didn't stand up well against a tire so scrap that idea. A better tire protector will likely be electrical tape wrapped around each jaw separately.

For people who might think this would work for INSTALLING tires . . . this tool doesn't help there. It is strictly for seating the tire AFTER installation and inflation of a tire. ("seating tool")

Steve

[Joe_W]

Maybe use an old inner tube as a protector?

[Bill]

Well from actual experience they work AWESOME!!

[yosarian9]

Do you have a picture of them in use?
Can you get a picture of them in use and post on here?

I "think" the curved jaw holds the part of the tire that contacts the road in place, while the flat jaw slides along the braking surface of the rim and pushes / forces the bead over the rim edge.
Correct?

[Bill]

(03-18-2010, 12:08 AM)yosarian9 Wrote:  Do you have a picture of them in use?
Can you get a picture of them in use and post on here?

I "think" the curved jaw holds the part of the tire that contacts the road in place, while the flat jaw slides along the braking surface of the rim and pushes / forces the bead over the rim edge.
Correct?

Sure later today I will post one.

[KC-Steve]

Yosorian, I think you might be thinking of a tire installation tool, am I wrong? I just bought a TL-10 for that last week.

This tool is for seating (or re-seating) the tire after it has been installed on the rim. BTW, I like your handle (ID name). It is from one of my favorite movies of all time, Catch 22.

Steve

[TonyE]

Good job!

[Bill]

Aww man I knew I was forgetting a video. I am writing this down and will so one when I get time, sorry KC.

[xerxes]

Is there a shortage of thumbs in the US.

[KC-Steve]

(07-27-2010, 07:13 PM)TonyE Wrote:  Good job!

Thanks TonyE!

No problem Bill.

[Bill]

(07-27-2010, 08:30 PM)xerxes Wrote:  Is there a shortage of thumbs in the US.

Hehehe, Not a shortage of thumbs, just time .