Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: coalkracker on November 19, 2015, 09:10:48 PM
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I found this in the basement of my garage when I moved in. I have wondered what this thing is for a while and I'd like to finally find out. Its much heavier then it looks. The handle is in great shape, and the tool has some surface rust. Everything else I've found down there has been pretty old so I'm thinking this is also. If anyone has an idea what it is it would be a great help. Thank you!
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The "blade" doesn't look sharp like an adze. Might be an auto body hammer.
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2 things I'll guarantee
1, it's a tire hammer
2, you really don't want to learn to use it
The guy who left it behind knew why he wasn't taking it.
Depending on size, you might get 50 bucks for it.
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But, when you do know how to use one, you get serious bragging rights, if you can find someone to listen to you.
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If ime correct its for breaking beads on tires, could be wrong.
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In a small town you can watch some poor guy trying to "break" the bead on a truck tire with one of these. (Or try to break the rust loose that has a pickup tire rim "froze" to the end of the axle). In big towns they don't let you wander back into the shop where the sweat pours in summer & the whole body shivers in winter.
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I worked in the tire repair business for several years when I was much younger. Got pretty good at using one of these. Mine had a 36" handle on it and was a Ken-tool brand tire axe. I broke a few handles and dented a few rims learning how to use one. I could probably still break a tire down today with it, but would hate to have to do to many swinging one. When you messed up and made a bad hit it would sting your hands like a wood base ball bat did sometimes.
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I once had a 1969 Chevy C-20 pick up that had the old style split rim wheels. I bought a "tire axe" just in case but fortunately never had to do the deed. I heard lots of stories about severed heads and arms.
Joe B
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I used to do split rims quite a bit in my younger days. we always set the wheel under one of the arms of a lift before we aired them up. only had one come apart on me, and I still have the scar on my thumb. I was lucky, a friend got a broken arm when he had one come apart. oh and I bought a locking tire chuck the next time a tool truck stopped!
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I watched a guy break the bead loose with one strike, then flip it over and one strike on the other side. I had to have a hammer like that but they are very expensive so I waited and got one for $15. :)