I have some sets of Ford spoke wheels, not enough true for me. Where I live, no one want do the job. so considering making a true bench by myself. I’m pretty sure it must be not difficult to do. Someone did it before ? Any tip ?
The Ford wire wheels will not bolt up the later drums. The drums used with the wires were stepped. They will not run true bolted up to the later flat drums without some support rings.
You’re right Andy but I use original 32 drums. I saw they aren’t true when I put my wheels on a wheel balancer machine.
Quite some time ago I read that to true welded spoke wheels you need a propane or MAPP gas torch and a cold wet rag. Thats all I recall, seems both logical and a little frightening. That said why can't they just be spun on the existing drum and have at it with the torch method? Anything under 2mm ought to be just fine.
Bending or shrinking spokes to correct straightness is only one part of the project. Concentricity and roundness often can not be corrected. Original spec is 1/8” (3mm) total runout
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