16 MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



much too short, weld in a piece. This is easily done. 

 Take a piece of iron i^-inch thick, the width of the tire 

 and the length needed, say about three inches. Taper 

 the ends and heat it to a red heat. Place it on the tire 

 in the fire and weld. This will give material for 

 stretching. 



If the wheel has a strong back dish it cannot be set 

 right to stay with the tire alone, as a bump against the 

 fellow is apt to throw the dish back. It is therefore 

 safer in all back dished wheels to take the spokes out 

 of the hole and set them right by wedges in the end of 

 the spokes. These wedges should not be driven from 

 outside in but be placed in the end of the spoke so that 

 they will wedge into the spoke when the same is 

 driven back into its place. Use glue. 



HOW TO PUT ON NEW TIRE 



When you have the bar of either steel or iron for the 

 tire, first see if it is straight, if not be sure to make it. 

 Next place the tire on the floor and place the wheel on 

 top of the tire, begin in such a way that the end of the 

 fellow will be even with the end of the tire. Now roll 

 the wheel over the tire. If a heavy tire cut it three 

 inches longer than the wheel, if a thin tire, two inches. 

 Now bend the tire in the bender. Measure the wheel 

 with the gauge, then measure the tire ; if it is a heavy 

 wagon tire and a straight wheel cut the tire one-fourth 

 of an inch shorter than the wheel. If it is a buggy 

 tire cut it the size of the wheel. In welding these 

 tires they will shorten enough to be the size wanted. 



