Threading my own spokes

[GuitarlCarl]

What options do I have? I want to thread my own, mostly by necessity, since I want to build wheels for a bucking bronco with offset hubs. I know it's a big undertaking since I've never built a wheel before, let alone something crazy, but it's what I want to do.

The little I've read says a threading machine is best. Stronger threads than cutting by hand. Time consuming no matter what I do, but I watch a little TV so I figure I multitask... But is there any other options? A threading machine isn't cheap but I may find a deal. Anyway, I'm just looking to you guys for the cumulative experience I sure don't have. Thanks in advance.

Carl.

 

[jerrykr]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that spoke threads are rolled on, with no metal being cut away.
Seems like I read that rolled threads are either stronger or do not weaken the spoke by removing metal.
Last time I needed one cut shorter I went to a LBS. They did it free, but there was only one spoke involved.

 

[Bicycle808]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that spoke threads are rolled on, with no metal being cut away.
Seems like I read that rolled threads are either stronger or do not weaken the spoke by removing metal.
Last time I needed one cut shorter I went to a LBS. They did it free, but there was only one spoke involved.

Yes, they're rolled rather than cut, to keep the spokes from weakening/breaking. What length do you need? buying a machine for one build makes little sense, and you can surely buy custom-length spokes for much cheaper.

 

[the_undecider]

There are a couple options:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C3F5LY

and

http://philwood.com/store/page64.html

Obviously, the latter is extremely expensive and for professional users. There are some emergency spoke cutters for less than $100, but they remove metal from the spoke which weakens it. I had some spoke threads extended at a local shop recently using that $150 Hozan tool and it did a fine job. If you are doing this regularly, $150 isn't too much to pay for that flexibility.

 

[RustySprockets]

There is a spoke length calculator for eccentric lacing available gratis at this link:

http://www.bikeforest.com/CAD/hulaCAD.html

The applet requires Java, but does the job handsomely. If there is a bike co-op anywhere in your area, I'd suggest going there to collect all the lengths you need, once you determine the numbers. My co-op stocks thousands of used spokes, sorted in tubes.

 

[mikeeebikey]

Carl,
I have built a few "buk bikes," -no calculator needed! Just alot of different length spokes. I start on the short side.
Grind off the long spokes so they don't get the tube.
Not hard to build, hell to ride!

 

[GuitarlCarl]

You guys rock. Hozan is what I've been checkin' ouit...
BTW FYI they used to cut all threads BITD... before drawn spokes.
But yes cutting spokes removes metal whereas drawn spokes do not.
But hey I'm just a noob

Carl.

 

[Mike G]

For what it's worth, Bikeschool.com has a spoke length calculator that calculates based on wheel size and various hub offset measurements...
at least you'll know if the length you need would be available already made, but I'm not getting that the length is the question here???

 

[the_undecider]

Spoke calculators are great tools, but when you can't find the right length, you need to be able to add threads. My most recent build required 226mm spokes which nobody carried (DT Swiss doesn't even make it). I had to get some 228s rolled.

 

[GuitarlCarl]

For what it's worth, Bikeschool.com has a spoke length calculator that calculates based on wheel size and various hub offset measurements...
at least you'll know if the length you need would be available already made, but I'm not getting that the length is the question here???

Not offset, off center, I know I'm going to need custom lengths for most of the wheel... for a bucking bronco bike. Hence, the original question of options... But offset will be a questionable number too. I'm definitely building the front wheel first!

Carl.