When you don't have a heavy duty truck tire iron, make one! I cut down a 1 inch bar and welded on some 3/8 plate to the end to build a tire iron for breaking the bead with a hammer. Last time I used one was back when I was about 10 years old and was changing tires on old 16.5 inch split rim wheels for a 56 International. I pulled the design from my memory and went from there. The little notches in the edge actually provide some traction on the tire when you twist the iron once it's driven in between the edge of the wheel and tire. It sounds like it would be crude and not work but it actually does quite well. Usually you have tire irons slip due to using some type of soap you spray around the bead of the wheel. This tire iron is used mainly to break the bead loose so you can use your regular tire irons once the tire bead is loose from the wheel. I have changed many tires with and without a machine. Not having this bar to do the work with becomes a hassle. Problem cured with that. I also welded a flat pad on the back of the bar so when you hit it with a mini sledge hammer, it is less likely to bounce off of the side if not hit squarely. The only problem with building this, now I have no excuse as to why I can't change a tire. #designsbyandrew #metalworking #metalworkingnation #welding #welded #weldeverydamnday #weld #fabricator #fab101 #fabrication #custommade #handbuilt #handcrafted #custometireiron #builtnotbought #madewithpride #tireiron #bustingbeads #changingtires