Maybe You Could Just Tweet for a Tow

Apparently, according to our English colleagues, the population of Great Britain is in danger of losing life skills that have long been considered vital, including sewing, do-it-yourself car service and changing a tire.

Longtime Tire Review Editor Jim Smith passed away on Feb. 18, 2016. He was 57. With 30 years in the tire and automotive industries, Jim's communications experience included stints as a newspaper reporter and editor, a public relations manager and a variety of creative and management roles with a B2B marketing communications agency. A Kent State University journalism major, Jim served as editor for a number of community newspapers in Northeast Ohio before joining Modern Tire Dealer in 1984. After four years in brand and corporate public relations roles with Bridgestone Americas, Jim joined Nashville's Stumpf Bartels Advertising in 1992. He became Tire Review's editor in October 1999. Jim was honored with the Ed Wagner Tire Industry Leadership Award by the Tire Industry Association in November 2014.

Published: April 15, 2009

Quoting a poll conducted by the Web site Ask.com, those under the age of 30 are tops at acquiring skills like setting up Facebook profiles while forsaking more practical skills. Brits under age 30 are the largest demographic least likely to be able to change its car’s rubber.

Apparently, says Tyres & Accessories, the problem is not merely confined to the younger generation; just under half of all Britons would struggle to change the tire on a pushbike, let alone a motorized vehicle.

If you have comments to share, send to me at [email protected].

– Jim Smith

Florida Pneumatic Manufacturing releases two air hydraulic riveters

The AirCat 6420 1/4” and AirCat 6410 3/16” tools are available now from tool and equipment and industrial distributors.

By Christian Hinton

Published: May 9, 2024

Florida Pneumatic Manufacturing Corporation released the AirCat 6420 1/4” and AirCat 6410 3/16” Air Hydraulic Riveter. The company said its AirCat 6420 1/4” tool features 3,700 LB of pull force and is designed to handle both 3/16” and ¼” steel and aluminum structural rivets, as well as 3/16” and 1/4” Monobolts. This professional tool is designed for continuous use and features a convenient on/off switch for its patented “mandrel vacuum collection system,” according to the company. The removable mandrel collection bottle can also be quickly removed and emptied. Tips included are 3/16”, ¼” 3/16” Monobolt and ¼” Monobolt.