Tire Bender

[OilyRascal]

Is anybody able to explain to me the application of this tool?  I realize it is a "tire bender", but I'd like to know in what situation you would "bend" a tire.  Any assistance explaining it's use is appreciated.

[Branson]

The tires on old wagons, carts, and buggies were made from 1/4 inch or more iron bar.  So the situation in which one would wish to bend a tire is every time you need a new tire on your Wells Fargo coach or Conestoga wagon.  Or anything else with a wooden wheel.  I last needed one to make up a tire for my Studebaker wheel barrow wheel.

[OilyRascal]

Thanks, Branson.  That was very helpful - off to learn more.

[john k]

I've assisted in *rolling* a new iron tire.  Even on dirt roads the tires would only last so long.  Then a new one was rolled to fit.   Iron bar was fed in one end while another person cranked the rollers,  it will curl right up.  If not fed in straight it will also curl up like a corkscrew, which makes it really hard to put on a wheel. 

[BruceS]

Gives a new, oops, rather old meaning to the tire iron.