This is a discussion that started on email. I am moving it to here for general review and to give the inboxes a break. Below are the comments to date:
Yeah we talked about that too The tool is a die to cut male threads. Though I think threads on a spoke are technically rolled and not cut. I defer to Harv on terminology and technology
We voted against buying one of these tools out of concern it would get broken, lost parts, etc. rapidly in the shop environment. But so far weve done pretty well with the frame prep tools we did buy. I dont think weve lost or broken anything yet have we? (chain tools and crank pullers are, of course, another story!)
Dave
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I like it.
Its also possible to measure, cut, and tap (tap is for female threads, what's the word for male?), spokes, right? Do we have the equipment to do this? Might be a more of a pain in the butt, but generic solution to the off size problem...
-Matt
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Its pretty easy and cheap to build something like this out of PVC pipe. Basically cut a bunch of lengths of pipe about spoke size and glue them together in a box shape. Put a little base on it so they tip back slightly and to give you a flat bottom.
We discussed this and actually buying some decent replacement spokes in the past but never proceeded. These kind of storage containers inevitably get messed up as people are never very careful about putting spokes back in the right slot. But it would be nice to sort the spokes we have at least. If we knew what lengths we have and dont have we could keep an eye out for junk wheels where the spokes should be saved and not just cut. Or maybe make some isolated purchases to fill in gaps for common sizes. Ive had a couple people recently not able to find an exact match in our collection and had to use an off size to repair a wheel.
Im up for building a simple storage unit if people think it would be useful or can send a rough sketch of my idea to someone else if theyre feeling like building something.
Dave
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I really like this 'spoke motel' they have here for different lenght spokes. Seems like a pretty good system to organize (and not have them get messed up the next time someone needs one). Though I'm not sure where we'd get a cabinet like that or where would be a good place to put it....
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- found this site that has a few shop manuals,volunteer guides, even remodel plans from a few other bike collectives around the country. A few new ideas ,but pat yourselves on the back seems like we've figured out lot of thing on our own but think we can pick up some ideas here. I'll post on the forum and print some of the stuff out at the Oven when I get a chance - hopefully before the next meeting.
This is an interesting idea. I was always picturing this sitting horizontally, but if you did it vertically it is easier to see what goes where. You could even get fancy and cut the various pipe to the "exact" length of the spoke they are intended for so the spoke end should be flush with the top of the pipe. Of course, we are talking about 2mm increments...
Dave
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Dave/Matt - the pvc pipe idea would seem to have good potential - cut the pipe to common lengths ,cap one side and, if standing up - will almost be self sorting ( wrong sizes would stick up higher or sink lower..) lets collect various ideas for discussion at the next meeting and/or on the forums.....