Chuck writes –
This article describes how to assemble an inexpensive, but very accurate, wheel building stand for bicycles. The stand uses a dial gauge indicator that is accurate to 1/1000th of an inch, but the complete stand can be finished for about $100. The low price is achieved by using inexpensive options for the primary parts: the overall platform of the tool, the wheel holding mechanism, the dial gauge, and the magnetic base for the gauge.
HOW TO – Make a dial-gauge bicycle wheel building stand for $100, thanks Amp! – Link.
10 thoughts on “HOW TO – Make a dial-gauge bicycle wheel building stand for $100”
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Ive been looking for plans for one of these for ages! oh man oh man, thanks guys
Umm..
Shenanigans.
Harbor Freight sells the base and dial indicator for about $15. Stick it to a C-clamp gently attached to a set of forks and you are in business. This works on bicycles and motorcycles. I just rebuilt both wheels of a CB-350 with less than .002 error asially and radially.
Spend yer money on the things you have to.
No offense to the builder, but the self-centering Minoura Workman Pro truing stand is pretty close to sufficient for the task by itself. It’s self-centering (meaning you don’t have to dish the wheel with a separate dishing tool. It’s also $75 new (at REI), not $39. I’ve built several sets of road and MTB wheels, and never felt the need to build ’em to such close tolerances.
While a C-clamp on a fork might work, you can’t set it in front of you on a coffee table and work on your wheel like you can with this one.
Nashbar has the same workstand for $59 (+20% off, they always have sales), making it less than $50. Or you could eBay one for cheaper.
Or hell, if you want to go the cheapest route possible, just stick a zip tie on your fork or seat stay and clip the end so that it acts as your gauge. You can then rotate it to move it in or out. Flip the wheel and spin to check the dish.
Cheaper isn’t always better, ease of use plays a part too.
I dig it…
I love the spirit of DIY
my stand is made by PARK and it does the job
but
if I had the time and was looking for a project
I would attempt something like this
my only fear
my stand would not be solid or true
but that is because I am not the handiest handiman
-zilla
http://www.gwadzilla.blogspot.com