Bead Bazookas
Submitted: Wednesday, Feb 21, 2018 at 15:07
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Member - Ross N (NSW)
I have just read Mick O’s thread re tyre bead setting .
I value my eye brows a bit to much to use his method except as a last resort.
Has anyone used a Bead Bazooka and if so, what are your thoughts?
Ross
Reply By: Ron N - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 12:07
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 12:07
The Bead Bazooka is just the latest and slightly improved design of a bead seating device that has been around for donkeys years.
We were using these back in the early 1970's - they're simple and effective.
https://www.amazon.com/Tooluxe-30007L-Seater-5-Gallon-Capacity/dp/B007SWZ7EC?ref_=fspcr_pl_dp_1_15709121
You can even build your own from an out-of-date discarded LPG bottle - or you could even use a small fire extinguisher bottle.
Fire extinguishers are built to hold a lot of pressure.
Naturally, these are all rated as a pressure vessel when filled - so, take care accordingly, to ensure that whatever you use as a tank, IS marked as a pressure-rated vessel, and is in excellent condition with no corrosion - internal or external.
The vast majority of LPG bottles are not discarded because they're dangerous to use - they're discarded because new ones are dirt cheap, and no-one will pay for the compulsory 10 year inspection.
But you don't need a LOT of pressure, you need VOLUME - and you need a system to release a lot of air - FAST.
Accordingly, you need to use a fairly large diameter ball valve in the release piping.
This diameter is governed by the size of the fitting already welded into the pressure vessel you're using.
You could weld a larger threaded nipple into the pressure vessel you select for use as a bead seater - but, of course, you need to be VERY sure of the quality of the threaded fitting - and you need to be VERY sure of the quality of your welding!
http://gizmoplans.com/bead-seater
Incidentally, hearing protection is advisable when using these devices, the rapid release of air is very loud.
Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 13:12
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 13:12
Thank you but way beyond my abilities and experience
Ross
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 13:31
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 13:31
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Hi Ron,
Until your post above, I thought the "Bead Bazooka" heading of this Thread referred to Mick's LPG technique. Then I followed your link.
I have never seen or heard of these devices, i.e. inserting the air via a nozzle past the bead. And I can now also understand your warning about ear protection. That thing must have a 25mm ball valve! At 80psi it would be as dramatic as Mick's LPG performance.
I have only seen tyre depots use regular inflation via the Schrader valve in order to reseat the bead on a tubeless tyre and always with success, but I can imagine that very large tyres may need more 'encouragement'. Certainly, my 'Quick Inflator' via the tyre valve (with its inner valve removed) has worked
well each time.
So where would you recommend need of the "Bead vBazooka"?
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 15:04
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 15:04
Allan,
In my previous life, I ordered one(as per Ron's top link) for the station workshop, as we were often repairing truck tyres, 11R22.5's, and they were sometimes difficult to re-
seat the bead. This unit had an outlet at least 40mm in diameter.
Another problem I had was occasionally fitting new BFG AT tyres, 265.75R16's to Landcruiser 8" steel wheels. What should have taken 10-15 mins, would extend for many more minutes, while I struggled to get the bead onto the rim. Arrival of the air cannon fixed everything!
Bob
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 18:13
Friday, Feb 23, 2018 at 18:13
Allan, the major use area for the "bead bazooka" or "bead blaster" is on truck tyres and the small-to-medium size front-end-loader and tractor tyres.
It's rare that you'd need one for most 4WD tyres, as a strap (or even fencing wire, if you're stuck!) around the middle of the tread, is usually enough to spring the walls outwards.
But occasionally, you do get a heavy wall tyre that really gives you a hard time, and that's when the bead blaster comes in.
Of course, having a decent air supply and large diameter hose, and making sure the valve is out of the stem, are the secrets to getting a sizeable volume of air into a tyre quickly, to
seat the bead.
Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 17:08
Saturday, Feb 24, 2018 at 17:08
It was probably my technique but on the occasions I tried the strap around the circumference failure resulted.
Ross
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