Another felloe and rivett question

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Another felloe and rivett question
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevin Gough on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 02:41 am:

This concerns my 1914 Buick, but may apply to Model T's with wooden felloes.

The hole in the felloe that the valve goes through, has cracks either side running with the grain. I have been told by someone that builds wheels to apply linseed oil several times, and use a press to close up the cracks. Then drill two holes accross the felloe either side of the valve hole, and use felloe rivetts.

This is apparently a good repair.

The cracks are not big by the way. Any comments before I try this?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Peter Kable on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 02:56 am:

That would definately work but if it was my car I think I might try to glue the cracks first and clamp them. If that worked your felloes would not need the rivets and the wheels would look better and be as they were. The wheel would not need to be balanced either as rivets would add a lot of weight to that area.

Run a good wood glue, maybe a polyurethane or epoxy into the cracks and clamp the felloe . If the wood is so sprung by the wood crack and that did not do the job then the rivets would be an answer.

You may have to be careful riveting as you also risk splitting the felloe if you apply too much clamping when hammering the rivets.

On one hand linseed oil will make the wood water proof but so would a good glue. Once glued though the wood may be sealed and the oil might not then soak in which may be OK as water probably would not get in either. Once oiled glueing won't work either.

Hope that hasn't confused you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevin Gough on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 03:27 am:

No, that makes sense. I think the linseed oil makes the wood less brittle though, so that's another factor too. Would the 'felloe rivets' that you buy in the hardware store for shovel handles be okay?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Chantrell - Adelaide, Australia on Friday, August 17, 2012 - 04:47 am:

Linseed oil could be problematic for painting afterwards, depending on type of paint etc.

24 hour 2 pack epoxy resin "Araldite" made by Selleys can be thinned with methylated spirits to the consistency of milk and can be easily injected into a crack with a hypodermic syringe and dries clear. Just another option...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, August 19, 2012 - 01:50 am:

My opinion. Glue and rivet. I once tried a good wood glue that I have used with great success many times. I clamped it in my large hundred year old vise for a week. The warped felloe wood pulled it apart in about another week.
The wood can be soaked in water for days, then clamped to reshape and allowed to dry thoroughly. Then inject good glue of choice. Rivet with small hole washers on each side of the stem hole. Once painted, it really doesn't show too much.
I have done that in the past, and will be doing it again soon.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nevin Gough on Sunday, August 19, 2012 - 04:49 am:

Do you just hammer the rivets with a hammer against a heavy dolly to set them? These wheels are varnished, so I may have to live with the appearance.

Down under, we have a six month 'Warrant of Fitness' test to mke sure our cars are roadworthy. My inspector is okay, but goes 'overboard' when it comes to the wooden spokes. Each time he focuses on a little paint crack on my T and gets all worried about it! Not sure how he will go with this riveted repair...


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