Don’t make the same mistake of gifting an unwanted item such as last year’s air fryer (which still sits inside its box). Instead, place a gift under the tree that a dirt racer will use throughout their career — the Ideal Tire Groover. It’s an item they will need for every night they race. (For more on the importance of tire grooving, see “Tire Grooving Tips: Wide or Narrow?”)
You can find many racing retail outlets selling the Ideal Tire Groover for less than $100. Yet, that Benjamin Franklin will purchase a product that will last a racer far longer than the fancy socks you may be considering buying them.
“Sixty-year-old Ideal Tire Groovers still turn up on eBay,” said Ideal Heated Knives’ John Sukenik, speaking of the longevity of the products they produce.
Some tire groovers struggle to cut through the hardest of tire compounds. However, the Ideal Tire Groover makes easy work of them. The solid brass head keeps strong, constant heat just ahead of the cutting blade. This preconditions the material to be cut, making it quicker and easier to accurately groove your tires. The operator of the tool controls the depth of the cut by the adjustable, razor-sharp, hardened steel blade.
The Ideal Tire Groover comes in a kit that features one groover, one medium brass head (No. 4, 7/32″), and 12 standard round blades (.018 x 1/8″).
Ideal Heated Knives manufactures a wide variety of heads and blades. The head widths range from 1/16″ to 3/4″ wide. The blades come in round or flat end styles, with thicknesses from .018 x 1/8″ to .031 x 1/4″. The company can also make blades built to your specifications.
The fiberglass-reinforced, nylon, pistol-grip handle (kit No. 125) is light and cool for comfortable use when grooving. It comes with either a 110V or 220V plug, and both have a 250W heating capacity.
Since 1948, Ideal Heated Knives has manufactured high-quality, electric hand tools. The Ideal Tire Groover is 100% made in the USA. It is widely available from retailers on the web and many suppliers of racing equipment.
Source
Ideal Heated Knives
New Hudson, Michigan
248-437-1510
idealheatedknives.com
Outside Groove Note of Transparency: Ideal Heated Knives paid for the production of this article. The content was subject to approval of Ideal Heated Knives.
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
