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Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:22 am
by John Codman
I have two wheels that I would like to send to Stutzmans for overhaul. One had a severe wobble. My question is What exactly do they do? I assume that they check the condition of the spokes and replace those that are "tired", but do they sandblast/paint the steel parts? Do they paint the spokes? On a rear wheel do you ship the brake drum too? I know that I could call, but I hate to bother them with something that isn't going to happen for a couple of months. Someone here must have experience in this. Thanks.

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 10:58 am
by James_B_NC
I’m about to ship mine off, but I painted my rims and hubs myself. Also sending off the brake drums.

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 11:12 am
by HPetrino
James,
We should clarify for John. It sounds like you removed all your spokes, cleaned, prepared and painted the rims and hubs, then will send them to Stutzman's for all new wood.

John,
If you're going to the trouble and expense of doing your wheels I certainly recommend you do NOT just replace "those that are "tired". In fact, although I don't know for sure, I seriously doubt Stutzman's or any other reputable wheel rebuilder would re-install old spokes along with new ones unless just replacing a damaged spoke.

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 12:09 pm
by James_B_NC
Yeah, exactly what I did. Sorry about any confusion

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:00 pm
by JEC
Should the hub and fellow be primed and painted before you send them or do they do this?

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 1:34 pm
by jaxenro
Just as a practical matter would it make sense to mix woods in a wheel by only replacing some spokes? Im not an expert but it seems wood cut 100 years ago would expand and contract differently from some cut in the last few and kiln dried? Wouldn’t that risk it getting out of kilter?

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:05 pm
by Steve Jelf
I made the mistake of priming the rim and hubs before sending them. I got the new wheels, painted them and started mounting the tires. Little dings and scratches are a natural feature of tire mounting, and every least little one was a glaring blemish of gray primer. The wheels looked like L. I ended up masking the wood and blasting the metal parts bare. If I have any more wheels made,I'll blast and prep the metal parts and send them bare, then use a primerless paint like glossy Rustoleum or appliance epoxy enamel.

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 2:49 pm
by Jugster
I've used Stutzman's Wheel Shop and can tell you about the services are available there, but not elsewhere. He'll re-wood your entire wheel for about $200. I doubt very much that he'd replace only the tired spokes because it wouldn't pay for him to do that kind of work and the result wouldn't be satisfactory or safe. If you're gonna do it, do it! At Stutzman's, sandblasting and priming your metal hubs and rims is an option for which he charges a very reasonable extra fee. The end product, in any case, is a bare-wood wheel (as in the accompanying photo) requiring either painting or varnishing or whatever other wood finish.

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:40 pm
by CraneJon
I removed the old spokes and shipped the components to Mr. Stutzman for sandblast and prime the metal parts and then respoke the wheels. Shipped him all the parts and new bolts for mounting the hubs to the spokes, then visited his ship in Ohio to pick them up. Well worth the trip and a fascinating shop and building process. A true tradesman with pride in his product.

Regarding bolts to mount the hubs...most of the suppliers have less expensive and more expensive hub bolts. like $5 or $7 per wheel. Buy the more expensive stronger bolts. The few extra dollars for higher tensile bolts are worth the security. I included the bolts and Mr. Stutzman used them to assemble the wheels but did not peen them over. I took them out and removed the hub the center to paint, then reassembled them. Used a rustoleum rattlecan to paint the parts. Hubs and felloes were black and rims were rustoleum galvanized.

Regarding , mounting tires and tubes. .Put tube inside the tire and inflate to 5# and let tire and tube set overnight. Deflate tube and mount tire using the plastic bag method. Google that subject (plastic bag tire mounting) and you will have pretty good success without messing up the rim finish.

last I sanded and natural finished the wood spokes after masking. Used Epifanes Marine varnish..thin first coat, then 6 unthinned thick coats applied with a plastic brush, Great stuff that leaves a lifetime finish. It is expensive and is what the marine mahogany boat guys are using. Read the instructions and buy the Epifanes thinner when you purchase the varnish.

Good luck and a great winter project

Re: Wooden spoked wheel overhaul

Posted: Wed Mar 20, 2019 11:15 am
by John Codman
Thanks for your replies guys!