Photoetched Wire Wheel Build Question

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

During my long quest to become an outstanding builder I have purchased a set of photo etched wire wheels for a Ferrari. Problem is, as nice as this pricey set was, the instructions are extremely vague. Has anyone here assembled the Hobby Design wheels (kit #HD07-0034) who can give me an idea which order that the five piece spoke set fits up into the beautifully spun aluminum rim? I'm a babe in the woods on this one and don't want to screw it up guys! Thanks,

J.B.

[Scale-Master]

I don’t have that exact set, but I have made several different companies offerings. One thing most have in common is the general order of “stacking†the parts as follows:

The “bottom†or inside rim (the one that faces the wheel well) receives the heavier of the PE spoke set, (the one with the most spokes).

A spacer or spindle goes in the center of that. Make note that the part of that spindle that will receive the knock-off must be pointing upward (outward).

The finer PE spoke set goes on top of that.

Many sets have “keys†or slots or some other device to help orient the two PE spoke sets to each other. You need to pay attention so all the wheel’s spokes are aligned the same or they won’t share the look.

The outer rim goes on top of all the previously stacked parts to make a sandwich.

The knock-off is the final touch, but I prefer to install that part after assembling the tire and rim together.

Hope that helps…

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

I don’t have that exact set, but I have made several different companies offerings. One thing most have in common is the general order of “stacking†the parts as follows:

The “bottom†or inside rim (the one that faces the wheel well) receives the heavier of the PE spoke set, (the one with the most spokes).

A spacer or spindle goes in the center of that. Make note that the part of that spindle that will receive the knock-off must be pointing upward (outward).

The finer PE spoke set goes on top of that.

Many sets have “keys†or slots or some other device to help orient the two PE spoke sets to each other. You need to pay attention so all the wheel’s spokes are aligned the same or they won’t share the look.

The outer rim goes on top of all the previously stacked parts to make a sandwich.

The knock-off is the final touch, but I prefer to install that part after assembling the tire and rim together.

Hope that helps…

Thank you! Yes this helps. I bought this set for a future build, but am itching to polish and put together these wheels in advance because in kit form they look so nice and does have 4 seperate sets of spokes in the stackup and I want to get it right. Thanks again!

J.B.

[Matt Bacon]

This may help. This is from the instructions for the Gunze "Hi-Tech" Jaguar XK-E, with PE "wire" wheels:

You want the two "denser" wire frets at the bottom, dished downwards, one clockwise and one anticlockwise (ie flip one over before dishing it), then the spacer, and then the two "lighter" wire frets, one flipped over, dished "upwards...

HTH,

bestest,

M.

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

This may help. This is from the instructions for the Gunze "Hi-Tech" Jaguar XK-E, with PE "wire" wheels:

You want the two "denser" wire frets at the bottom, dished downwards, one clockwise and one anticlockwise (ie flip one over before dishing it), then the spacer, and then the two "lighter" wire frets, one flipped over, dished "upwards...

HTH,

bestest,

M.

Exactly the information I was looking for, thank you!