Wood Spoke Wheel Question:

chetbrz · June 19, 2007, 02:12:17 PM

Quote from: DENNISKS on June 19, 2007, 01:18:11 PM
I have a spare wooden wheel that I ahve dismantled and am in the process of refinishing. I did notice how hard it was to get the hub out of the spokes. They were very tight. I did not sand anywhere where the spokes met each other. I have not had time to reassemble it yet. To busy to even work on putting my car back together since it was painted.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Haven't heard from you in a while. Business must be good. You seem to be busier than a one legged man in an ass-kicking contest.

Chet...

DENNISKS · June 19, 2007, 01:18:11 PM

I have a spare wooden wheel that I ahve dismantled and am in the process of refinishing. I did notice how hard it was to get the hub out of the spokes. They were very tight. I did not sand anywhere where the spokes met each other. I have not had time to reassemble it yet. To busy to even work on putting my car back together since it was painted.

Dennis

David Pollock · June 19, 2007, 11:55:03 AM

I always wondered about the dolls' eyes but as I did not have any sisters I stuck with old cars. I have one new spoke, an extra which I will photograph for you in due course. It is from a 20 inch Chrysler 52 wheel. I think I have your email address. Give me some time though because I have to get a hay crop off and the weather has been poor. dp

chetbrz · June 19, 2007, 11:39:48 AM

David,

Great information.? I like working with wood and taking stuff apart is something I have been doing since I was a kid.? I drove my sisters crazy because I would take the heads off their dolls to see what made the eyes open and close when you move them.? (Really ticked them off)? I might find an old wheel to play with but I have to think that setting those spokes is more Art then Technology.? ?I also think it is something that you just know it is good by the way it feels and goes together.? Something learned from much experience.

Chet?

David Pollock · June 18, 2007, 09:40:44 PM

I had my 28 Chrysler's wheels respoked by my uncle (now deceased) who was a master woodworker. We both learned a lot about wood spoked wheels. Each spoke is the same and if you examine them carefully you will notice several things. They are not round. each spoke has to be shaped with a scraper called (appropriately) a spokeshave. In a factory, the lathe turning the roundish part would have two centres. Nearest the hub, the spokes are cut on a 5 degree angle so they are wedge shaped. They are then laid around the wheel with one angle up, the next down like this AVAVAVAV(INSERT SHIM BETWEEN AV) The proper way to tighten a spoked wheel is to take off the hub and insert shims between the spokes against these angled surfaces . Then with a press, the spokes are pressed flat and when the hubs are replaced, the spokes push out towards the rim, taking up any slack around the felloe. (the round end which goes into the rim.) It is not considered good practice to insert wedges between the spoke and the rim.

See if you can find a spare wheel and take it apart. There is nothing to be afraid of. A wood wheel in good shape is actually stronger than a pressed steel wheel.......so I have been told....... !

chetbrz · June 13, 2007, 02:09:17 PM

Hay Thanks Jim & Thanks all for the responses.

Jim bring it to Sully I know we will hook up.

As far as respoking the wheels this looks like a very expensive proposition. Since my wheels are painted if I respoke the one wheel I don't think I would want to paint it. I might just keep an eye out on ebay for a wheel set or at least one front & one rear wheel spare.

I was just wondering if anyone else has noticed this type of dusting around the spokes?
Is it a common tell tail sign of pending trouble.?
When these wood wheels fail, do they wobble before they actually fall apart.?

How much of a problem is it really.., or am I being overly cautious.????

Chet?

Jim Yergin · June 13, 2007, 10:30:26 AM

Chet,
I think I have a copy of that Vintage Truck issue. If you want to see the article I can bring a copy to Sully this Sunday.
Jim Yergin

Bob · June 13, 2007, 07:22:47 AM

Chet,
In the June,'07 issue of "Vintage Truck" there is an article about a 1920 White Model 20 truck.
In that article it mentions the same company doing the wooden spoked wheels on the truck. There are some real good photos in that aritcle if you can find the magazine.

I called the owner of the White yesterday, he couldn't remember the name of the company, but said he would fine it and call me, welll low and behold, this morning the link was posted on the site by someone else.

Good luck,
Bob

30U sedan · June 12, 2007, 05:56:11 PM

check out

http://www.calimerswheelshop.com/

chetbrz · June 12, 2007, 12:23:46 PM

I noticed the other day that one of the wood spoke wheels on my 29 Plymouth has what appears to be dust rings around the wood spokes where they attach to the steel rim.? The spokes do not appear to be loose and only this one wheel is exhibiting the dust ring around the spokes.? ?My assumption is that this is indicative of the spokes moving while the wheel is turning.

The second question is.., does anyone today respoke these wheels.

Chet?