A cyclist should always be prepared to fix the most common breakdown, a flat tire. A simple tire repair kit should include a tube, a couple of tire levers to aid in removing the tire, a patch kit and a pump. The cyclist should also be prepared to repair a tire cut which leaves the tube exposed to the ground. This repair can be made by cutting a 1x1-inch piece of old tube or even by bringing along a dollar bill which can cover the cut temporarily during the ride home.
So what happens if the cyclist flats and does not have a patch kit or an extra tube? Each cyclist should carry an air pump so the tire can be periodically inflated and the ride continued. A slow leak can be annoying but you can add air each time the tube softens. Fast leaks will have to be sealed. A small piece of duct tape can be used as a temporary patch. The tube will still leak but you should be able to use the "pump and ride" approach that is used with any slow leak.
If you do not have the tape to repair a fast leak you can locate the hole and place this area outside the tire bead when remounting the tire. This exposes the tube to the ground but when the tube is pumped up the tire seals the tube. The tube will bulge outside the tire but it should not blow off the rim unless it is overinflated.
Another technique is to fold the tube back on itself inside the tire so the hole is covered. When the rider pumps up the tire the overlapping tube slows the leak.
So what happens if the rider gets a flat, and has no extra tube and most importantly does not have a pump to inflate the tube? This is when riders must be resourceful and creative. The rider can stuff grass and weeds inside the tire. The more grass the better, as that will help keep the rim from making rough contact with the ground.
In the event the bicycle tire gets ruptured and will not stay on the rim then the cyclist will be left with no choice but to ride on the rim. This makes for a tricky ride but it is possible and should not damage the rim too severely. Rear flats on road bikes will likely cause the most rim damage. The rider should be able to get the bike home while riding slowly and staying off the seat as much as possible.
Things happen. You will have flat tires or gear issues. Be sure to visit you local supplier for a recommended tool kit and save yourself a lot of agony.
Basic Tools Needed
#1 Wedging wire. This tool is made by attaching two pieces of 1/2" dowel to the ends of a 12" copper wire, about 18 gauge. It is used to cut blocks of clay in two in the wedging process. The dowels are used as handles, but they also make the wire easy to find.
#2 Knife. A knife is needed for all trimming and cutting processes, but especially for trimming tiles. Any knife with a short blade such as a paring or Sloyd knife will do.
#3 Metal pallets. These come in a variety of shapes and sizes with a plain cutting edge or a toothed edge. Pallets are used for smoothing or scraping the surface of clay.
#4 Rubber pallet. A rubber pallet is used to clean glaze or slip from the mortars or pans in which they have been mixed. The pallet not only cleans the container, but saves the slip or glaze.
#5 Pointed tool. A pointed tool is needed for a variety of processes, such as incising designs on pottery, or doing sgraffito decoration (scratching designs through slip into the surface of pottery).
#6 Elephant ear sponge. This is a flat, thin, fine-grained, natural sponge, similar in shape to an elephant's ear, from which it gets its name. It is used for finishing surfaces and edges of pottery and sculpture. Cellulose complexion sponges can also be used.
#7 Brushes. Several soft, hair brushes are needed for applying slip and glaze, and for mending. These can be of average quality, such as imitation camel's hair. Nos. 3, 5, 8, and 10 will serve all purposes.
#8 Syringe. A hand irrigating syringe with hard rubber nozzle and a bulb can be purchased in any drug store. It is used for slip decoration .
#9 Wood modeling sticks. Choose a number of modeling sticks of a variety of shapes for the modeling, working, and finishing of clay. Sticks about 6" to 8" long with thin, flat blades are preferable to thick, large ones.
#10 Wire loop tools. Several loop tools with tempered metal loops are necessary for smoothing the surfaces of pottery and sculpture, especially for cutting down high places, for hollowing out sculpture before firing, and for carving and sgraffito work in the decorative processes. Select three or more tools of sizes varying from 8" to 10" long, and with various shaped loops.
#11 Tiles or plaster bats. Tiles or plaster bats are needed for supporting or for keeping objects moist while working on them. Unglazed biscuit tiles, 4" x 4" and 6" x 6", are adequate for most projects. They may be purchased from a ceramic supply house. Plaster bats can be made. They can be used for any size, and especially for work requiring a base larger than 6' x 6'.
#12 Wedging table. If any considerable amount of clay work is to be done, as for example in class or group work, a wedging table is essential. This is a table about 2' deep and 3' long with a cement or plaster top. (The top can be made by first constructing a box about 6" deep with a solid wood bottom. Half fill the box with gravel or pebbles and pour cement or plaster into it until it is even with the top.)
A wedging wire is arranged by erecting a 1' x 2' post at the back of the table. This should project about 2" above the table top and extend down as far as necessary to be well supported. It should be anchored to the table with screws and bolts. A steel piano wire is stretched from the top of the 1' x 2' post to the front of the table. A 2" turnbuckle, set near the top, will help to make the wire taut. (In using the wedging table the clay is cut in two by pushing it against the wire and slamming the two pieces on top of each other.)
Now just purchase some clay and you are on your way!
Both Yvonne Volante & Jimmy Cox are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Yvonne Volante has sinced written about articles on various topics from Keyboard Synthesizer, Backpain and Types of Cancer. Yvonne Volante, the author, is a big fan of and writes for favtools.com, which is the premier tool resource on the internet. You can see al. Yvonne Volante's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Jimmy Cox has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Horse Racing and Investments. Discover What Makes Ceramics History So Interesting And Learn To Make Pottery Like A Pro!Click here for FREE online ebook!