I have a couple of wheels that have bad rims. Before I send them off to get new rims, if I do that, I would like to look at the wooden felloe. Might not be worth getting new rims.
How hard is it to get the rim off? Just grind down the rivets in the old rim or cut the rim with a hacksaw?
Thank you for your help.
I'm just going through this process right now! You have to drill out the ends of the rivets that stick into the rim. You should be able to find them, as there will be a little depression in the middle of the rim. You only need a 5/16" bit, and don't drill in more than about a 1/16". The rivers were peened over and then countersunk. Then, you can just use a punch to knock them out. Once all of them are out, you can often knock the felloe out with a rubber mallet, tapping all around it evenly. If the felloe was loose (which is bad), then it will just fall out. If the rubber mallet doesn't work, you may need to heat the rim up a bit and try again.
Oh, and don't remove the spokes from the felloe unless you absolutely have to. If the spokes were loose in it, than you really have no choice but to remove them so they can be shimmed appropriately.