I'm completely new to Model Ts. I just got a '24 Tudor Sedan. Three of the whhels are in good shape, with (flat)tires still on them, but the fourth wheel was like this, sitting in the dirt. I see replacement spokes for sale, but I also read where this may be too difficult for me to replace. Can I buy replacement spokes and install them myself, or is this a job for specialists only? I think I would only need to replace two-maybe three spokes.
replacing spokes
- Thread starter jeep44
- Start date
If you are going to replace the spokes in a wheel it is usually easier to replace all of them so they are all the same length. Otherwise the new spokes will leave the old ones loose. Remember the whole load of the car is supported on just a few spokes at a time. The steering, brakes & your safety rely on them. There are lots of youtube videos on replacing spokes. If you are not comfortable doing it fine someone that is.
If you are going to replace the spokes in a wheel it is usually easier to replace all of them so they are all the same length. Otherwise the new spokes will leave the old ones loose. Remember the whole load of the car is supported on just a few spokes at a time. The steering, brakes & your safety rely on them. There are lots of youtube videos on replacing spokes. If you are not comfortable doing it fine someone that is.
tinman080
Senior Member
Hiya jeep44- you can respoke wheels yourself, only with HICKORY which is much stronger than oak. Hickory bends and oak snaps. If your set of wheels has been exposed to Michigan winters I personally would replace them. If the hub plates and inner hub flanges are bent where the round headed bolts go thru the spokes then the spokes have shrunk and have been tightened in the past to attempt to firm the wheel up. If the woodgrain on your original spokes ''stands out''; say a 1/32'' to 1/8'' then they really are too weathered to rely on. You can get top quality spokes from the wheel places, one I used is Stutzman's Wheel Shop in Baltic, Ohio. I've never dealt with a nicer more honest man. A pleasure to talk to. His number is 330-897-1391. He is Amish, the phone is out on the fence. He checks his messages a couple times a day. Leave a clear message and he will call you back promptly. After receiving your spokes Google ''Reagan Spoke Press'', free plans will show you how to make it. Pretty easy. Watching a Utube video of Steve using a press and showing the little details is mandatory. Listen to him, he is absolutely correct in his recommendations. T wheels are a little pricy to put in tip top shape, but as ALL your following work and the lives of yourself and others relys on them it's best not to short cut them. Best of Luck! Gary
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Steve Jelf
Well-known member
Gary is right about Stutzman. His price for hickory spokes is about half what all the parts dealers want for them. When I made the video there were a couple of things I didn't know about using the Regan (not Reagan) press, so be sure you read the notes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKZ7WrfHdf8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKZ7WrfHdf8
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C26Pinelake
BANNED
Used wooden spoked wheels are not uncommon. Advertise on Craigslist. Literally hundreds at Hershey.
Wayne
Wayne
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jesselashcraft
Member
Hi Gary
I delivered some metal Model T wheel parts to Stutzman last Thanksgiving when
I returned to where I grew up nearby to visit family.
Two questions:
- Is that Olds Trap in your avatar similar to something called a Hutzman?
- Would you have had one of its wheels at Stutzman's for repair last November?
I saw one similar - it was one of the back wheels that had the attached drive pulley.
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tinman080
Senior Member
Hi Jesselashcraft- My Trap is a scratch-built copy of R.E. Old's first gasoline car. The prototypes(4) were built in 1896-1897. 3 of these cars burned up in a terrible fire at the plant. The 4th was out being driven, and it was later donated to the Smithsonian in 1915. The late Joe Merli built a replica of this car (non-running) in the 90's for display at the Olds Museum in Michigan. I was fortunate enough to receive a full set of detailed photos and found the wheel size and wheelbase specs online and decided to build my car. Mine is a driver, the Olds engine showing is a replica I built for eye appeal, the real 13hp engine is hidden under the seat. My wheels were purchased new in early 2015, from a carriage company in Ohio, who had them Amish-built. I don't know who actually made the wheels. My drive setup doesn't have sprockets mounted to the wheels, so the wheels you saw weren't mine. This frame and drivetrain was a sweetheart to figure out....haha My new project is using a lot of T stuff. Gary
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jesselashcraft
Member
Nice work, Gary. Is that motor off a snowmobile?
The wheel I saw at Stutzman's didn't have a sprocket on it. It was a pulley attached to the wheel - probably belt driven, I assume.
My hearing isn't what it used to be and Noah has a Pennsylvania Dutch accent but I thought he said it was off something called a Hutzman or Hutzmobile. Essentially, a self powered wagon like your Trap. Does that sound familiar?
Jack Innes
Well-known member
You are thinking of a Holsman car. They built cars from 1901 to 1910.
The pulleys on the rear wheels were for rope belts that drove the car. See; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holsman_Automobile_Company
jesselashcraft
Member
Thanks for the link, Jack. Yeah, that's the wheel I saw at Stutzman's. I've tried Goggling "Hutzman" and nothing came up. I was so close.