Home made truing stand

[passpato]

This is the cheapest way to make a truing stand. Its made from pallet wood and I pack the center out according to hub size (100mm front or 125mm rear) Its only for 26inch wheels but could be shortened for another size. I have built 4 or 5 wheels with it and it works fine. I reverse the wheel in the stand to center the rim.
I am in the uk and order my dt swiss spokes cut and threaded from ebay for about £12 a wheel. I always use a single cross pattern for hub motors as double and triple cross have a sharp angle at the nipple and come loose.
I like the simplicity of this stand and it lets me build wheels on my kitchen table (when the wife is out)

 

[dogman dan]

Simple, cheap, effective. Looks like it would not be that great, but if you think about it, once you put a hub in the top, it gets quite strong and stable.

My own method is to just put zip ties onto frames or forks. Then cut the tail end to just the right length. Not as accurate as the screws though.

 

[d8veh]

I love it. You're a true engineer.

 

[liared]

Great truing stand!
I get inspired to do something similar !
Do You also have a picture of the stand with a wheel mounted and where we also see how the stand is fastened to the table/bench on which it stands!?
I figure it is valuable that the stand is firmly attached to something so it does not "whiggle" when you use the truing wrench during truing...

 

[passpato]

Great truing stand!
I get inspired to do something similar !
Do You also have a picture of the stand with a wheel mounted and where we also see how the stand is fastened to the table/bench on which it stands!?
I figure it is valuable that the stand is firmly attached to something so it does not "whiggle" when you use the truing wrench during truing...

It just stands on the table as it is. You could use a longer base but it stands ok. I forgot to say . I put two rubber on the screw heads holding a steel rule against the outside of the rim to get the rim centered.
Sorry I don't have a pic with a wheel fitted.

 

[John in CR]

Simple, cheap, effective. Looks like it would not be that great, but if you think about it, once you put a hub in the top, it gets quite strong and stable.

My own method is to just put zip ties onto frames or forks. Then cut the tail end to just the right length. Not as accurate as the screws though.

The pros here just lift the bike, spin the wheel, and use the back of their thumbnail to feel for truing. At a cost of only $1 or $2 or sometimes free depending which LBS I visit, so I may never learn the art of truing a wheel. 8)

 

[TylerDurden]

Might be a good idea to ensure the axle rests are the same distance from the base.

 

[etriker]

Simple, cheap, effective. Looks like it would not be that great, but if you think about it, once you put a hub in the top, it gets quite strong and stable.

My own method is to just put zip ties onto frames or forks. Then cut the tail end to just the right length. Not as accurate as the screws though.

The pros here just lift the bike, spin the wheel, and use the back of their thumbnail to feel for truing. At a cost of only $1 or $2 or sometimes free depending which LBS I visit, so I may never learn the art of truing a wheel. 8)

No, we use a Park truing stand !

I would rather use the truing stand in the first post than let the kids at a LBS touch my wheels !

 

[John in CR]

Simple, cheap, effective. Looks like it would not be that great, but if you think about it, once you put a hub in the top, it gets quite strong and stable.

My own method is to just put zip ties onto frames or forks. Then cut the tail end to just the right length. Not as accurate as the screws though.

The pros here just lift the bike, spin the wheel, and use the back of their thumbnail to feel for truing. At a cost of only $1 or $2 or sometimes free depending which LBS I visit, so I may never learn the art of truing a wheel. 8)

No, we use a Park truing stand !

I would rather use the truing stand in the first post than let the kids at a LBS touch my wheels !

You've got a different kind of LBS than those I deal with here in Costa Rica. I've only dealt with kids at one on the other side of town at a big shop that specialized in downhill stuff. I have 5 LBS's within a mile of my house each with old geezers who have been truing bike wheels since long before most ESers were a twinkle in their parents' eyes, and these guys definitely don't need truing stands. When they true a wheel it stays that way too. There's definitely some artistry to it that I'll leave to these real pros.

 

[Kingfish]

I'm inspired! It could double as a test stand 8)
~KF

 

[etriker]

[/quote]

You've got a different kind of LBS than those I deal with here in Costa Rica. I've only dealt with kids at one on the other side of town at a big shop that specialized in downhill stuff. I have 5 LBS's within a mile of my house each with old geezers who have been truing bike wheels since long before most ESers were a twinkle in their parents' eyes, and these guys definitely don't need truing stands. When they true a wheel it stays that way too. There's definitely some artistry to it that I'll leave to these real pros. [/quote]

It's not artistry. It's bicycle repair 101. The basics.

Around where I live if you can't do bicycle wheels then don't call yourself a bicycle mechanic.

You sure don't need a Park stand to true wheels but they are nice and become like a friend after a while.

You get mad, walk away, try again, get mad walk away. Read the book again. Try again.

It gets easier.

Then when you get it ! Sweet !

Here you go !

http://icelord.net/bike/

Best one

http://icelord.net/bike/BarnettsBicycleManual.pdf

 

[passpato]

Might be a good idea to ensure the axle rests are the same distance from the base.

Its a good idea but actually not that important. As long as the screw touches the rim all the way round ,the wheel is true.For wheel building I reverse the wheel in the jig until it is centred.

 

[TylerDurden]

Dishing...?

 

[passpato]

Dishing...?

Dishing is not a problem. Just set the rim in the right place and the dishing comes on its own. This stand is only intended for home use so doing things quickly is not my aim. I can true a wheel after lacing in about 45 minutes.
I never really saw the purpose of a dishing template.

Quote from the men at NASA " its only rocket science"
Wheel building is not a dark art. It just takes practice OR patience.Speed comes with experience and confidence.
I just want to recommend anyone having a go because its so rewarding and it saves money.

 

[veloman]

Since I was 14 I always just flipped the bike over, grab one brake pad, spin the wheel and slowly press the brake pad in with my hand, until it just touches. Adjust accordingly and repeat. Then do the other side.

Now that I am going to build a wheel for the first time, I am going to try building a homemade stand out of an old frame.

 

[Kingfish]

Forgot that I had posted here once before posting my own: DIY: MIGWBR & DBRTS.

Definitely helps kill the squeaky brakes syndrome. Now if only I could balance that wheel...

Cheers! KF

 

[speedmd]

I love it. You're a true engineer.

:lol: Maybe a engineer but not a carpenter.

 

[SamTexas]

Interesting. But why not just an inverted fork on a wooden or metal base. Wouldn't it be much simpler?