[SEL] How to Straighten Spoke in Cart Wheel

[bill at antique-engines.com]

I bet it takes less to straighten it than you would imagine.
It should not be brittle, and you have not got that far to bend it.
The ideas presented are ones I've used a number of time, plus:
Get some aluminum to act at a "pad" and place it around the spoke.
Put a pipe wrench over the spoke and push sideways on the wrench - it's
possible you can simply bend it back this way.
I've done as much straightening with pipe wrenches as I have taken pipes
loose. It's one reason I have the long heavy wrenches I do....... I'm not
a plumber. The aluminum will protect the spoke from the serrated jaws of
the wrench. You are using it as a lever to "push" down on the bend. This
method CAN lead to a bend in the wrong place if not done carefully or the
wrench is placed in the wrong spot.
But the hammer method is more accurate and directed. That's where I'd
start in this case. I'd back it up with a small chunk of rail (train track
type rail) I keep on hand for such occasions.


Bill
Runnells, Iowa
Chapman/OWE&PCo. Registry and History
http://antique-engines.com
1970 Javelin
1981 Eagle SX/4 coming soon
http://theamcpages.com

> Paul,
> You are over worrying this task. Grab a BFH and give it a good rap and
> it will straighten right out. If I have one real bad I'll lay the spoke
> across a good sized anvil. You can then rock along the spoke as you
> hammer on it. The hammer dings add character! Actually they will hardly
> be noticeable but it you are worried about this use a brass or babbitt
> hammer. Guess you are planning on painting these. I've been spraying 2
> art paint direct on blasted wheels, eliminating the primer step. Have
> had no rust problems with this method.
> Curt Holland
> Gastonia, NC
>
> Paul Maples wrote:
>> I had my wheels for my cart sandblasted today by a friend of mine and he
>> done a pretty good job. I will do the finish blasting tomorrow. One of
>> the wheels has a bent spoke, not bad, but bent a little.
>>
>> What would be the best way to straighten it, just get a block of wood
>> and hit it or use some heat and then hit it. It was bent cold so
>> probably it might be best to straighten it cold, I just don't want to
>> crack it. Here is some pictures of the wheel and the bent spoke:
>>
>> http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/wheelterrapin/CartWheel2.jpg
>>
>> http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/wheelterrapin/CartWheel1.jpg
>>
>> Paul
>>
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