taking apart wood spoke wheels

[30U sedan]

Thanks John,

That sounds like a good idea......

[John Hendricks]

Just a thought-I am a woodworker, and have a wooden spoked cart for my horse.  I would be hesitant to use a chemical paint stripper because if it gets down into the hubs, it could soften the cog or the rim ends of the spokes.  A gentler way might be to soda blast the old paint off.  Soda blasting is a very good way to get old paint off -it doesn't touch rust on the rims.  The soda particles explode in to dust on impact.

[chetbrz]

Thanks Chet......

I was planning to take the wheels apart in order to strip them of paint.

I'm wanting to use a spar varnish instead of paint.

Any ideas on the best way to get this done?

Dale

Getting paint off wood depends on how porous the wood was prior to painting.? Paint remover will do a pretty good job and if the wood was in good shape when it was painted after the paint remover a light hand sanding could render the surface reasonably clean.

You can remove the brake drum very easily but I wouldn?t recommend taking the wood spokes apart.? I am not sure what level of perfection you are looking for.? Rustic charm or like new.? You will have to be the judge on this one.?? It doesn't hurt to give it a try, after all you can always repaint them.

Good luck,? Chet?

[30U sedan]

Thanks Chet......

I was planning to take the wheels apart in order to strip them of paint.

I'm wanting to use a spar varnish instead of paint.

Any ideas on the best way to get this done?

Dale

[chetbrz]

Dale,

I will be starting this project over the winter.? I plan on re-spoking two of my wheels.? I have a wood lathe and a lathe-duplicating device to help mass-produce the spokes.?

My understanding:

• Wood is Kiln dried Hickory.? (Harder then Oak and flexible)
• Assembly should be accomplished in low humidity environment.? This will allow the wood to swell under normal use and create a well-tightened rim.
• The spokes are shimmed in the cog never on the rim ends.
• Once assembled, the center hole is drilled intentionally tight to the hub.
• The hub is then press fitted into the wheel usually with a hydraulic press.

If the hub comes out easily your wheel needs to be redone.? ?The spokes don?t disassemble easily either.? If you are disassembling for cleaning purposes you can detach the drum but don?t disassemble the spokes unless you plan on refitting the wheel.? Otherwise the wheel will loosen with use.

My 2 cents?? ?Chet??

[30U sedan]

Is there a correct way to take apart a wood spoke wheel?