wheel truing hints and advice req'd

[artfulflounder]

Hi guys......would like to build a wheelset for another project but at this point got a couple of rim brake wheels that could do with truing.

http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html

Read the above thread and sort of wanting to get stuck in but before i make a worse job of it thought I'd check with you guys first.

Checked the rim for damage, lumps or dips and no obvious damage. Spokes all present with no bent ones although tension differs.
Have approx foot long section of wheel 5mm out to right.
Do i try straighten rim first then slacken all spokes and retighten from valve round the wheel? Tighten only affected area? Only loose spokes?

Its only a hack bike and cant justify cost of rebuilding the wheels.

Any advice or hints/tips greatly appreciated.

 

[hamster]

For something like that I would firstly ensure that the rim is running true (distance from hub) and then loosen and tighten the spokes accordingly for sideways trueness. Do no more than half a turn at a time per spoke, starting from the middle of the out of true area and reducing as you work away. If you take a lot off line one go then there is more risk of completely losing the plot. Take your time, patience is the order and it will be fine.

 

[cce]

it's important to remember that spokes don't tighten themselves, so as much as possible, try to adjust only by tightening spokes