DIY Bead Blaster

[Doc Sprocket]

I've been wanting to build a bead blaster for smaller tires for quite some time. I finally got off my @ss on it.

I started off with a cheapie 3 gallon compressor I used to use for airbrushing. I used it at work many times for flooring and trim nailing, and it's been beaten to a pulp. I have replaced the regulator once already, and one of the gauges too. Heck with it. I've got a 5 gallon twin stack for work now, and I'll be getting a new 1 gallon for airbrushing soon.

I started by ripping everything apart. I chose to ditch the motor and pump to save weight, as you need to hold the tank with one hand and operate the valve with another. I can fill the tank with the 13-gallon compressor in my garage.

After stripping it down, I had 3 ports to deal with. I plugged on, and installed a pressure gauge in another. On the third port, I re-installed a manifold I had put on there before. The manifold features a schraeder valve for filling, amongst other things. I plugged an extraneous port on the manifold.

After all the plumbing work, I reinstalled the handle at a 90* orientation to the original by drilling some new holes through the pump mount plate.

Still to come- In a day or two, I have a couple of pieces of 1"Sch40 pipe coming from a buddy, and I have a 90* ball valve on hand. I have to cut a hole in the side of the tank, and weld in a pipe nipple, the valve, and the "nozzle". Stay tuned!

 

[DS13]

Is this gonna have a cabinet to blast in?

 

[devino246]

Is this gonna have a cabinet to blast in?

Not an abrasive blaster, a bead seater. It shoots a blast of air into an unseated tire to seat the bead on the rim. Really useful when attempting to seat tires that have been stored for extended periods and have their beads squished together censored

 

[DS13]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I gotch ya... when ya said bead blaster I was like ok this would be a good idea for items that can't fit in smaller blasting cabinets then when ya said smaller tires I got a little confused. Haha still a good idea

 

[rwd4evr]

that will be nice to have around. i had a lawn tractor tire that just wouldn't catch the bead, couldnt find a ratchet strap so i threw a couple black cat firecrackers in it and it worked! not sure it would be too good for a high speed tire with paper bits in it.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Firecrackers, eh? Dang- That's a new one on me! That thar's purdy redneck, but heck- it worked, dinnit?

 

[fowler]

Anougther one is to spray deodorant in the tyre and light it up

Or wipe petrol around

Only way to get a big tractor tyre back on

It also helps to remove the valve stem

I can't say I've ever seen something like this
Definitely interesting

 

[OzFab]

I can't say I've ever seen something like this
Definitely interesting

They're used all the time to seat truck tyres. If you go to any good tyre shop, they'll have one...

They usually have a heck of a kick to them too

 

[GoodWComputers]

I've just used starter fluid and a long lighter in the past, that has worked for me. I see your point about older tires though, they can be a PITA to seat!

I totally thought sandblasting cabinet too when I read the title, and thought you beat me to it! I just finished building mine and will probably post the pics tonight. You guys are going to be jealous.........

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I can't fault you guys for misinterpreting the title. I am thinking about building a soda blaster too. Put the two titles together, and you either have devices for blasting soda AND beads at stuff, or for blasting stuff at soda and beads. Dangit- I think I may have just confused myself.

LOL

 

[crazzywolfie]

we did all 4 tires on my dads ford with starting fluid and a oily rag lit on fire on a long stick. all 4 tires are still holding air perfectly. i think the big thing is making sure to remove the valve stem cores before you light the ether.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Got my 1" Sch40 pipe today. Whipped out the 1 1/4" holesaw, and blew a hole right thru the middle of 'er. Cut a section of pipe about 5" long, and welded it to the tank. Screwed the valve on, and prepared the nozzle. Having cut another section of pipe, I heated the end up nice an warm, and put a beating on it with a hammer, to give a flatter profile to the nozzle. Once cooled, I screwed it on to the valve.

I aired the tank back up to 100psi, and it held. The test blast was pretty impressive! Ain't nothin' left but some paint, and my next tire mounting gig!

 

[supermanotorious]

pretty cool, I really struggled to mount my kart tires, if you have a chance, please make a video of you using it, sort of an instructional

 

[OzFab]

Nice Those things have a heck of a kick, huh. Have you tested it on a tyre yet?

 

[crazzywolfie]

that thing looks pretty good. are you going to make an adapter to launch pop cans or potato's? i know we built pop can launchers years ago at school and it use to be so fun to launch pop cans full of water or rocks.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I have not yet done a "real-world" test. I aired it up to 100psi to a) Make sure it wouldn't rupture, and b) not leak from the weld join, but haven't done a tire yet. Perhaps on the weekend I will do so.

Yes- I think I can put together a video clip- I bought myself a new camcorder for Christmas.

 

[exenos]

Looks good, and I agree with wolfie, a launcher attachment is a must for this.

 

[FatCat]

Come on guys, I'm reading some pretty crazy methods of lighting the starting fluid. The best way is to throw matches at at. Guy with the long grill lighter your one crazy SOB

Haha but seriously your gonna hurt yourself doing that. Boxes of matches are cheap. A few will go out but fingers aren't replaceable. Use the wooden stick ones. Can't really throw the ones out of a matchbook.

 

[GoodWComputers]

Come on guys, I'm reading some pretty crazy methods of lighting the starting fluid. The best way is to throw matches at at. Guy with the long grill lighter your one crazy SOB

Haha but seriously your gonna hurt yourself doing that. Boxes of matches are cheap. A few will go out but fingers aren't replaceable. Use the wooden stick ones. Can't really throw the ones out of a matchbook.

M80's work well too.

 

[Maine Mud Mower]

Well i have done the air blaster
And have done the throwing of the match

But by far the safest and most efective way i have found to mount 22 inch atv tires on lawn tractor 8 inch rims. Is to get the tire on the rim then put it back on the axle and put a ratchet strap around the tire and sinch it tight.

Another side hint detergent works good but pledge polish spray is the bomb