Holes in Your Tires?
 

What do you guys use to drill holes in your tires to let dirt and water get out? I've never done it before and just got some new tires. Do you just bust out the drill and go for it or is there some technique someone can point me to? Thanks!

You run the risk of tearing the rubber or getting non-uniform holes if you use a drill.

I use a leather punch tool, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/eToolscity-TAI.../dp/B0002T87FE

I picked mine up from Home Depot and it's almost identical to the one in the link. Works very well and punches nice round holes.

Well, that would work if I didn't buy pre-mounts. :neutral:

I tried this once on a set of stampede talons and it was a disaster.

I just took a 3mm drill too them - sadly when running on brushless power I managed to get a whole foam out through one 3mm hole.

On the other tire it ripped to shreds! I obviously did it very wrong and am interested to see how to do it right.

Proceed with care though!

Unfortunately, I think your only feasible option is to drill the wheel itself.

I still say tires should be sealed and air filled just like real tires. Sure, makes them a bit bouncier, but nothing that can't be dialed out via suspension tweaks I would think.

A company in China has made one and it uses an inner tube and there's a little vlave just like a real tire.

How does it hold up?

Don't know. I never got one and it looks kind of heavy. I'll try to find some pictures and I'll post them here.

I've had good luck using a drill bit in a dremel tool. It spins fast enought to melt through it rather than tear it.

I imagine it would be heavier. Hmmm. Maybe get rid of the tube for a belted radial? And use a different solution instead of a valve stem?

Found it, but I can't find the other ones. I will have to find the pictures that I printed and scan them.

Wow, 1.1lb per tire??!! They are bigger than normal at 6.5" D X 4" W, but still. The rims look like Al, maybe a high grade plastic would be better. Wonder how heavy a typical on-orad, buggy, or MT/truggy tire would be...

I have some 40 series tires that weigh about 1 lb.

fastrax make this tool

http://www.rceasy.com/wp-content/upl...04/fast605.jpg
Make quick and easy air holes in your tyres with with this new purpose designed tool from Fastrax. Its special inwardly rotating barrel allows pressure to be applied while the cutting tip cuts through the tyre wall producing perfect holes every time
http://www.rceasy.com/wp-content/upl...4/fast605a.jpg

That Fastrax tool looks awesome...do you know of any place which sells them to the USA?

I've been putting holes in my tires for the last few sets and it gives at least two benefits that I've seen...first it lets water out, if the tires get wet, water gets in there and if left in there will either cause them to be way out of balance or break down the foam, getting it out is a good thing. Second it lets dirt out...same thing as the water.

Now that Pro-Line has pre-mounts, I've been looking for a tool like this to make putting the holes in easier. As pointed out above, non-uniform holes can have a negative effect (causing premature failure by tearing or foam ejection...)

I need one of these tools!

I use something similar to this: (top row, on the far right)


http://cgi.ebay.com/10pc-HSS-Super-S...ayphotohosting


Just take it slow and it will grind a hole in the tire. Sometimes a piece is left in the hole, but I just rip it out with some needle nose pliers. :mdr:

You could just pinch the tire and make a neat V-notch with scissors. It makes a cool diamond shape too! :yipi:

Also, I learned a new word today: Inwardly. I had to type it into Dictionary.com to be sure. :lol:

Yeah, I just use scissors.