Thread: Teardrop timber wood spokes

A few pictures of a spoke you are intending to replicate would be helpful.

If you mean that the cross-section of the spoke is something other than circular, then I believe you're all out of luck.

A 'normal' wood lathe runs too fast for the mechanisms that are used by a Rose Engine. I suggest you google 'Rose Engines' for some idea of what they involve.

Typically, some sort of rocking mechanism is used for non-round profiles; whether it be moving the cutting tool in and out in synch with the RPMs, or the turned piece moving to & from the cutting edge.

There are elliptical chucks (which can be fitted to a normal lathe running at low rpm) that approximate the required motion but they're not cheap and are only suitable for oval cross-sections.

Of course, if I've misunderstood what you mean... As mentioned in the post above, pix usually help.

Have a look at this video it shows how this guys makes them

Coker Makes Wooden Wheels for Classic Cars - YouTube

Rick

Originally Posted by Geoff Jenkins

I have a Woodfast ex high school lathe that I would like to make into copy lathe to turn T Ford timber spokes. I am guessing that it would be fairly simple to adapt a 100mm angle grinder with a tungsten carbide blade to shape the spokes if they are round but the problem I have is that the spokes have a teardrop shape and i am guessing that they would require an additional axis so that the required shape is replicated. Would anybody have any suggestions on how I could make a copy attachment to make the required shape please
Regards Geoff

Geoff,

Sound like this could be a project for multi centre turning. Use normal centres an the offset a pair of new centres on either side of true centre. Complete the turning and rechuck to true cenres and sand slowly.

Jim

Originally Posted by powderpost

Geoff,

Sound like this could be a project for multi centre turning. Use normal centres an the offset a pair of new centres on either side of true centre. Complete the turning and rechuck to true cenres and sand slowly.

Jim

Yes, Jim, it could be done that way. I do one-off things like turning individually shaped handles for some my knives that way. Here are some of them made that way.

Two handles - image 3.jpg handle grip - top.jpg Two handles - image 1.jpg

....but I could never go into production with that method. Just too slow!

On the teardrop shape that Geoff is after, see near the bottom of this discussion...

Model T Ford Forum: Teardrop Spokes

They don't call them a "Spokeshave" for nothing. Hard yakka but you will get there with determination and perseverance.

Other than that, there is a method that is used in pattermaking to make multiples of gear wheel teeth identically that could possibly be adapted to make the teardrop spokes. Been that long since I've even thought about patternshop days I'd have to dig out the old "Patternmakers Guide" book (if I can find it) to re-fresh my memory. Otherwise if forum member Clear Out sees this thread I'm guessing he would know the technique.

View the 3'20" mark at STIHL TIMBERSPORTS | 7plus as Jamie Head makes custom axe handles for elite axemen.

Search for "fishing lure duplicators" Those guys have mastered the duplication of odd shapes, but their systems will also work on round and simple spindles. Or the odd shaped spindles like square ends and round middles. You will need to upscale the designs to make larger items.

Here is another idea that might get you started

Router lathe to copy template - YouTube

Originally Posted by Geoff Jenkins

I have a Woodfast ex high school lathe that I would like to make into copy lathe to turn T Ford timber spokes. I am guessing that it would be fairly simple to adapt a 100mm angle grinder with a tungsten carbide blade to shape the spokes if they are round but the problem I have is that the spokes have a teardrop shape and i am guessing that they would require an additional axis so that the required shape is replicated. Would anybody have any suggestions on how I could make a copy attachment to make the required shape please
Regards Geoff

Geoff,

How many spokes do you intend to make? I assumed you were doing a restoration and only needed a few.

Jim

Another home made duplicator.
Custom Car Spokes | Graff Speedcutter | Duplicating Lathe - YouTube