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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,049
ChatMaster - 1,000
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OP
ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,049 |
Guys and Gals I am considering making some replacement wood spokes for some wheels I have. I understand that hickory is the wood of choice but am interested in confirming that. Also should the hickory be kiln dried or treated in any way? I see the wood chips flying already. Ken 45145 
I have a 1927 Chevy Capital AA 4 Door also a 1927 Chevy Touring car, a 1936 Chevy 1/2 ton and a 2010 Corvette LT3 Convertible and a 1953 Packard Caribbean. My tow car is a 2011 Suburban.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 64
ChatMaster - 15,000
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ChatMaster - 15,000
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 19,758 Likes: 64 |
Hickory is by far the best. Pecan is nearly as strong and stable but not generally available. Oak has been used but not recommended by the professional wheel builders. Make sure that what ever wood you select it is straight grained and knot free.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 58
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 58 |
Ken: I have made them for Model T people. The can be made on a lathe fairly easy. Chipper is right, hickory is the best but Henry used Ash and other woods. trooper
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 860
ChatMaster - 750
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ChatMaster - 750
Joined: Feb 2007
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Ken-I was at the 45 Anniversary Meet in Grand Junction and met Gary Mortenson who was an accomplished wheelwright who made all the spokes for his 1927 Pick-up and he said that he would only use kiln dried hickory. He needed some hickory for another restoration and was unable to find it where he lived in Colorado. So when we got home I bought some from a hardwood dealer here in Missouri and sent it to him.
hoppy
"Four-Doors-Forever"
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 105
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 105 |
Guys and Gals I am considering making some replacement wood spokes for some wheels I have. I understand that hickory is the wood of choice but am interested in confirming that. Also should the hickory be kiln dried or treated in any way? I see the wood chips flying already. Ken 45145 Ken, Before you get too enthusiastic have a look at my comments in the 11th and 12th posts in this thread: https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php...co/Search/true/Re_Wood_wheels#Post128771If you are a very competent woodworker go for it - it ain't as simple as it looks though. Getting the 30 degree angle on the spoke tapers accurate is very important. If it is not spot on the wheel will loosen up very quickly. If your spokes have the compound cross taper as well (usually 10 degrees included angle), this must also be an accurate match with your original spokes. Frank
Last edited by franco; 05/21/10 10:35 PM.
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Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2009
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Wasn't there a good article in the G&D about 6 or 7 months ago?
It's not how fast you can go, but how good you look at 20 MPH.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 58
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
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HERE IS ONE SOURCE, www.WALLLUMBER.COM A nORTH cAROLINA that supplies furniture grade (6to 7 %moisture)in turning squares. trooper
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 58
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
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Ken: Shawng was right ,there is an exellent article in volume 48 #7.This is the way mod. T wood spokes are done.The only difference was I had a duplicator attachment for my lathe. Hope this helps. trooper
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 322
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
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Was that my article on Restoring Wooden Artillery Wheels? I did use hickory. I did not use compound angles as most wheelwrights do because my original chevy spokes didn't have them. I also used a regular lathe and turned them freehand without much measuring except for the tendons. Didn't take long to turn all 48 and they look pretty consistent. I think redoing the wood on the wheels was probably the most interesting and enjoyable part of the restoration of my '26 Touring. I hope to have this car on the road later this summer and then I'll find out for sure how well my wheels actually perform.
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