Tires: Tire Stud Removal, winter traction, backyard mechanic

Question
Barry,
I would like to know how to remove the metal studs from a set of snow tires....the professional method and the "backyard" mechanic method. Is it cost effective (?) to have it done by a tire shop. I have had no luck with searching the internet for a solution.
My tire rubber is still good but the studs are worn flat. I want to run the tires without studs until the rubber is used up. We are restricted from using studded tires during most of the year.
Thanks,
Thomas

Answer
What you have proposed is an incredible amount of work compared to the benefit.

First, studs are designed to wear at about the same rate as the tread rubber, so while the studs may appear to be even with the tread surface, when in service the stud will protrude just the right amount for grip.

Second if the studs are nearly worn out, then the tread rubber is also near worn out and for a tire, winter traction is highly dependent on tread depth.  Plus winter tires should not be used in warm weather - the compounds weren't designed for this and the dry traction will suffer just when you need it the most - in an emergency situation.

And last but not least, there are machines that put in the studs easily, but there aren't machines to take them out.  So you're going to have to pry them out - which will take a long time.

IMHO, this is not something worth the effort.

Hope this helps.