The Ford Barn

jrvariel48 · 05-06-2016, 05:11 PM

I'm trying to find a nice straight 35 wire wheel.
Is there anyway to do a measurement to see if it's straight? Or do you have to set it up some how to actually spin it? I set up a spindle and drum on my bench vise so I can throw a rim on there and give it a spin to check it.
Hopefully someone has a descent way to check them!
I'm all ears!!

grovesmr · 05-06-2016, 05:19 PM

Guessing you don't have a lathe the wheel fit in, you could maybe do it on the car while fab'ing a fixture to hold a dial indicator gauge in place

Lanny · 05-06-2016, 05:26 PM

your setup in the vise should work just fine. Just put all 5 lugnuts on and snug
them all up. A little run-out is OK, an 1/8" (give or take a little) is fine.

A spin balancer works OK, if you can keep the speed to a minimum.

.

Andy · 05-06-2016, 05:32 PM

Be sure to use a drum with the inside supports for the wire wheels. They will all wobble if put on a 40-48 drum without the inside support.

4port · 05-06-2016, 05:36 PM

When looking at wheels at a swap meet, I always stack the wheels on top of each other to check for bends and out of round. This will give you a good reference of which wheels are the best to purchase. Once home, you must spin them on a spindle to accurately check for wobble and hop. Just as simple as a stationary stick with a nail or screw as a pointer will do. Anything variance 1/8" or less at the rim edge is a very good wheel. You can straighten spoke wheels by shrinking, using a torch and a wet rag. There is a tread with details on Fordbarn on this method in the model a section.

36coupe · 05-06-2016, 09:22 PM

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For a bend on the outer part of the rim, try rolling it across a smooth concrete floor. The slightest bend and it will wobble at the bend. Those you usually can straighten with good tap from 1# hammer.

Charlie Stephens · 05-06-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy

Be sure to use a drum with the inside supports for the wire wheels. They will all wobble if put on a 40-48 drum without the inside support.

Go here for an illustration of what Andy is saying, https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...=1#post1286293 I didn't think they would wobble without the support, just crack over time.

Charlie Stephens

jrvariel48 · 05-08-2016, 06:59 AM

As usual, a lot of great info!
Thank you all!

05-06-2016, 05:11 PM	#1
jrvariel48 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,426	How to check straightness of a rim I'm trying to find a nice straight 35 wire wheel. Is there anyway to do a measurement to see if it's straight? Or do you have to set it up some how to actually spin it? I set up a spindle and drum on my bench vise so I can throw a rim on there and give it a spin to check it. Hopefully someone has a descent way to check them! I'm all ears!!

05-06-2016, 05:19 PM	#2
grovesmr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: ohio Posts: 147	Re: How to check straightness of a rim Guessing you don't have a lathe the wheel fit in, you could maybe do it on the car while fab'ing a fixture to hold a dial indicator gauge in place

05-06-2016, 05:26 PM	#3
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: How to check straightness of a rim your setup in the vise should work just fine. Just put all 5 lugnuts on and snug them all up. A little run-out is OK, an 1/8" (give or take a little) is fine. A spin balancer works OK, if you can keep the speed to a minimum. . __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

05-06-2016, 05:32 PM	#4
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,771	Re: How to check straightness of a rim Be sure to use a drum with the inside supports for the wire wheels. They will all wobble if put on a 40-48 drum without the inside support.

05-06-2016, 05:36 PM	#5
4port Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 112	Re: How to check straightness of a rim When looking at wheels at a swap meet, I always stack the wheels on top of each other to check for bends and out of round. This will give you a good reference of which wheels are the best to purchase. Once home, you must spin them on a spindle to accurately check for wobble and hop. Just as simple as a stationary stick with a nail or screw as a pointer will do. Anything variance 1/8" or less at the rim edge is a very good wheel. You can straighten spoke wheels by shrinking, using a torch and a wet rag. There is a tread with details on Fordbarn on this method in the model a section.

05-06-2016, 09:22 PM	#6
36coupe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 864	Re: How to check straightness of a rim Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) For a bend on the outer part of the rim, try rolling it across a smooth concrete floor. The slightest bend and it will wobble at the bend. Those you usually can straighten with good tap from 1# hammer.

05-08-2016, 06:59 AM	#8
jrvariel48 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,426	Re: How to check straightness of a rim As usual, a lot of great info! Thank you all!