A little while ago, i was having some issues with my Park Tool TS-2 wheel jig. Every now and then after building a wheel i was finding it wasn't perfectly centred. Maybe a mm or two at most, but enough that i noticed it. Obviously, i went back and centred the wheel and then adjusted the jig. Then another wheel or two and it would happen again. Odd for it to happen only occasionally. Curiosity got the better of me and i spent a bit of time poking around the web trying to find if there were similar experiences out there and what to do about it. It turns out that there are. The threaded axle that arcs the uprights in and out to adjust for different width hubs is on quite a coarse thread. It seems that a micro change in position at the lower end can lead to enough error at the hub holding end to lead to a wee bit of lateral movement. Of course once you have identified this (i think i was noticing it more because i was constantly going between 150mm all the way down to 100mm OLD hubs) you get the Park Tool 1554-1 centering gauge, consider a rebuild if there is any wear (on mine there was none apparent) and perhaps get a dishing gauge...EVT make a superb one. It adds about 30 seconds to the wheel building process to check that everything is centred prior to truing the wheel.
But, you know how it goes: i can't ignore it. So i get to looking at other wheel jigs. The issue is that i don't build enough wheels to justify what i would really like - a P&K Lie.
Watch these videos for a bit of a description of why it is such a refined tool.
Amazing dedication to making a tool as good and useful as possible.
Had to file a couple of the holes i drilled into ovals to allow the bolt heads to sit right and not lead to a stress point, but otherwise it went surprisingly well.
And i reckon it is rigid enough - could be prettier, but then my skills are limited. Damn good fun to make something for your self.
Chronic indecision or inability to commit? same thing? who knows. I decided for many reasons that, initially at least, i would mount the evt right hand to a wheeled trolley of sorts. Yet again, a huge debt of gratitude to Sean at vertigo cycles for fabbing the carrier for the right hand that allows me such versatility.
I had access to an engine stand, and with a bit of modification and a large lump of wood i had a mocked up stand. This allowed me to decide on the height i needed in the additional upright, and from here the plan was to make the extension to the clarkes engine stand with steel. Hey, its metal right?
Ok.
Next was finding some metal stout enough for the job in question. With some excellent advice, 50x50mm was the aim and after poking around a little i found a merchant in Glasgow. I phoned and was told that they didnt cater to such a small order. Hmmm....more metal?
They did give me a number for a place around the corner from work though, called Scott Associates. Turns out i'd seen a couple of the guys who work there commute in by bike...i popped round and after an interesting chat about the projects they were involved in, including work for the winner of this years Turner art prize, i was able to purchase some off cuts in just the right size.
Good guys and i'd recommend a look at their website - sculptureanddesign.com - once it is back online. They do some bautiful work in many spheres. So, i need to break out the hacksaw, the drill and the ruler. Oh, and the elbow grease.
Todays recipe? an addition to any southern USA meal - Okra in tomato and tabasco. Chop onion finely, fry in olive oil add a tin of tomatoes, and a tablespoon of tabasco. Some salt and pepper wouldn't be amiss. Meanwhile, boil some trimmed okra for 10 mins then rinse and add to the tomato mix. Layer some Manchego, cheddar (mild) and mozarella on top and grill until the cheese has browned in patches. This recipe is adapted from Lupe Pinto's cook book which if i havent mentioned before is a MUST.
What else?
A fat tyred bike project begins...i'll no doubt go into this more deeply as it happens.
