Van Alstine Tire Groover/Siper

[bjowett]

After several years of using the Ideal Groover, I've moved up to a Van Alstine. While the unit is quite expensive, the performance matches the price.... The speed and the control are simply awesome. If it fits the budget, add one to your tool collection!

No affiliation.

http://www.vanalstinemfg.com/default.htm

 

[bjowett]

I spent more time cutting tires with this today.... love this unit! It heats instantly via light pressure when you go to cut a groove or sipe. Grab a cold tire, and turn it on and go. No waiting for the unit to heat, no warming up the tire. Blade changes are tool free and fast... I'll snap some good pictures of the head if anyone wants to see it?

 

[cruiserpilot]

is there a video showing the heated tire siper in action?

 

[bjowett]

This guy is cutting a Swamper with the same unit I have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6nS-r3qQcM

In this video, at 10 seconds, you can see the head compress slightly towards the body... that is when the unit heats pretty much the blade only. Note this unit doesn't have the quick change blade.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbvMKOvftFU

 

[2000UZJ]

My KM-2's just past the 50% range and I have lost the one bar (name?) of siping. I am considering having the rest of the tread siped. Thoughts?

 

[cruiserpilot]

It will save on wear. If you're siping an older tire, make sure you don't get too ambitous with cutting the sipe grooves too deep. You want a margin of error so you don't penetrate the carcass below.

 

[bjowett]

That groove can be cut again... and you can add more grooves in addition to siping, which if done by hand, can be much more effective.

First stage of KM2 grooving on the center blocks.