Wheelbuilding questions tips and ponderations

Some very interesting comments here.
The Roger Musson book/download sounds excellent. I shall order this.
Having built seven wheels for my own bikes, I haven't a clue if they're up to shop standards, but I've not had any issues so far.
Its certainly a challenge, but it's also incredibly satisfying to complete a wheel build.
I use a spare front fork and a rear section, cut from a junk frame, with the bottom bracket shell, or front steerer clamped in to my vice.
I also made a dishing tool from scrap too.
All good fun.

👍💯✔️😉
 
Ah, so the one thing you don't need is the dishing tool, just switcheroo the wheel around in what ever is holding it.
The stand doesn't need to be centered as long as the two mounting points and one trueing arm stay the same you'll have a reference for dish!

What would be a better trade instead of a dishing tool would be a tensiometer, you'll be surprised how true one can get a wheel - basically perfect, yet tensions are not even close to 20% balanced
 
I never thought of checking the dishing like that. I can see what you mean though.
Re: the tensioning, yes, I can confirm that tool is pretty good tool. I found one like a Park Tool product, on Temu for under £15, and it seems to give consistent readings.
Of course, I don't really know the individual spoke tension settings, or the formula to find them, as it does get quite involved.
I took the easy option by measuring tensions on my old wheel, and any dishing too, and replicated this on the rebuild. Like I mentioned, I'm just a have-a-go amateur, so I've still got a lot to learn I'm sure.
I'll add, it usually takes me a good 5 days or more, of on/off sessions in the shed to try and get it bang on.
👍💯✔️😉
 
What would be a better trade instead of a dishing tool would be a tensiometer, you'll be surprised how true one can get a wheel - basically perfect, yet tensions are not even close to 20% balanced
You can ping the spokes and easily hear 2% difference in pitch.
(Studies show below 0.5% is usual!)
It's amazing how sensitive the human body is - the best tool we've got by far.
 
That's interesting too and something I've never tried actually. Maybe I'm tone death lol!
I will certainly put into practice some of the tips gleaned here on my next build. 👍🛠🤔
 

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