Who would have thought that a $25 junk yard wheel would get so much attention. ha ha



To answer the original question, I am going to use a dial indicator to measure the runout (side to side movement) before welding it up. As far as it being perfectly round, ie it moving up and down while spinning it i don't think that is going to be an issue. Just by eyeballing it while hammering the center into it it is almost perfect. Just has about 1/16" wobble side to side and virtually no movement up and down before messing with it to get it perfectly true.

The plan is to tack opposite sides and then use the dial indicator to measure and work the center into the perfect position accordingly. The issue i am having right now is that I can get the 12, 3, and 6 o'clock positions exactly where i want them but then the 9 o'clock position will be slightly out, Without being able to tack two of the positions in their final resting place it is almost impossible to get it all correct with out something else moving.

Things would be alot easier with a welding machine. That is getting delivered at Thanksgiving.

Here is the machine that Wheelsmith Steel Wheels uses to re hoop their HOTROD wheels. not something you see in most home garages. but to me seems like their wouldnt be a machine needed or made for that application if it was just a matter of cutting and welding a center in.

my 2 cents

sounds like you have a great plan of attack. Keep the pic's coming

This is for Billy. yep just like a motorcycle wheel they have a big trueing machine before its welded in.

click for the full article on how wheels are rehooped
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/hrdp ... to_02.html

I do agree that those machines are necessary, if you are doing hundreds of wheels. I will be able to accomplish the same thing, just going at it with a slightly less "technical" approach to say the least.

Here is a good article on DIY wheel building.

http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2006/02/Steelies/

Although Billy disagrees with me because I used a motorcycle rim as a comparison. If you really think about it a trueing stand for a motoX wheel is the same thing it Trues the center hub to the outer rim. using the spokes as your WELD. and I stand by what I say that if that center is not true to the outer rim than it will wobble.

Im not knocking what your doing Andy. and in even that article basicly he is using a home made truing stand. That was my point I was wondering how you where going to true it up. Its just that i had an agument with Billy who knows it all about hotrods because he grew up around them and I told him it has to be trued and he thinks it doesnt matter and that its not like lacing a motoX wheel up when it really is the same thing except that one is welded and the other uses spokes.

Basically just bolting the wheel to the drum and using a magnetic base for a dial indicator to position the indicator. I will turn the wheel and tack/true as I go. Should be pretty straight forward.

Hopefully it will work out. Sure will be cool if it does.

i agree with you ethan about it having to be centered exactly...no denying that...who would go through the trouble and weld it in any other way...

way to go andy i applaud you for tackling this task and im sure it will be perfect....

keep the pics cominig..

5 pages and this isnt finished yet?