Introduction 12 13 2022

 Some people might consider it a nuisance to have even one old tire around their place.  However, I found it a civic duty to keep one such tire around.  "Why?  Why on earth?"  Because I knew that it would help me think of ways to reutilize old tires!

Tires are a problem. But just think of all the latent utility in that strong, flexible, waterproof and abrasion resistant material!!!!!  You've got something there!

But here are some important safety tips regarding upcycling old tires!

1. New razor blade in a full handle secure carpet knife.  Blade will only be good for one or two cuts.

2.  Secure a tire in vise while cutting.  If you part an initial mid depth cut and cut there again that works better.

3. Never pull razor toward you other hand.

4. If you have kevlar gloves wear them.

5. Blades can snap.  Wear full shield eye protection with no ricochet areas for blade to travel.

6.  The bead area of the tire where it meets the rim is reinforced with several hardened steel wires.  They are very hard to cut with wire cutters or even a hacksaw or sawzall.  You might be a lot better off cutting that section off the tire with a razor before making something out of the rest of it.

And it is good to get some practice on how to handle that knife to cut the tire before you attempt to make something.  Because it is a difficult skill to control that blade; a lot of pressure and parting of the tire is needed.  So don't be afraid to make that first cut or so you are on your way to have a "stock" piece of material or strip for further end use.

For example might make great feet for an outdoor table!

You might use a wooden plug cutter in a drill or drill press to make small rubber circles from the tire.  The center of such circles you can then drill a hole in and make feet for things you keep in your garage or outdoors.  Bumper pads; held in place by a center screw.

You might then stack such circles one upon another and make a file handle or place them on a drill chuck key.  So that the drill chuck key doesn't make a hard impression on your hand or fingers when using it.  Keep the arthritis down this way!

Again, with that type of material the possibilities are endless.  Be safe and keep safe engineering principals' and ideas in mind as you do this.  You have to be able to think in a failsafe and proactive manner.  It is often called critical thinking.  A lot of people hate true critical thinkers with a passion.  Hate for what?  Being a man?

I have made some really useful things from old tires.

Enjoy.  These ideas are hard to come by.

Thomas Murphy

© 2022 Thomas Murphy