So I thought I would try building some spokes for my 1881 Columbia high wheeler with radial spokes. Neither end is threaded so you have to build the spokes one at a time in the wheel. At the rim they are mushroomed and at the hub they are mushroomed behind an adjusting ferrule.
First I made a tool to clamp the stainless in so I can peen it down. Not too fancy but had to start somewhere. Will probably wear out more than one of these before I'm done.
So first I peen one end and cut it to length and slide the ferrule on.
Then slide the spoke through the rim and set up the clamp on the other end.
Once the outside end is peened you can screw the ferrule into the hub and just like that, one spoke done. 18 spokes in the back and 52 in the front, should be done by Christmas with a little luck. Figured I would start with the easy 18" rear wheel before I tackle the 52" front.
After all the spokes are in I need to figure out how to install solid rubber tires on the rims.
First I made a tool to clamp the stainless in so I can peen it down. Not too fancy but had to start somewhere. Will probably wear out more than one of these before I'm done.
So first I peen one end and cut it to length and slide the ferrule on.
Then slide the spoke through the rim and set up the clamp on the other end.
Once the outside end is peened you can screw the ferrule into the hub and just like that, one spoke done. 18 spokes in the back and 52 in the front, should be done by Christmas with a little luck. Figured I would start with the easy 18" rear wheel before I tackle the 52" front.
After all the spokes are in I need to figure out how to install solid rubber tires on the rims.
