MTFCA Forum

What is the best way to straighten wire spokes? I would like to try to do myself without a big investment into having someone else do. Thanks

Simple, use a hammer and slide hammer, any other tools you find handy. They are not delicate.

A rubber mallet works well on long radius bends. Sharp bends or kinks are another matter.

The above suggestions to use a hammer and slide hammer would work to straighten the spokes. There is an important thing to keep in line: the spokes keep the rim in alignment with the hub so you need to put the wheel on the axle. (the front works easier for spinning the wheel) . Use a reference mark under the wheel and turn it. As you notice the rim move from side to side as you rotate the wheel, you will need to straighten spokes on one side and bend them slightly on the opposite side to pull the wheel into alignment.. So if the rim is off to the outside of the wheel, slightly bend the spokes on that side adjacent to the area of the misalignment and if you find any bent ones on the inside opposite that area straighten them. Reverse if the rim is off toward the inside.
The end result is to get the spokes as straight as you can and still have the wheel run true.
It is easier for me to show you how to do this than it is to explain it. Hope the reader understands this.
Norm

There was a good article in the Vintage Ford a couple years ago about straightening these wheels.

Andy

Have a set of these from Bill Stipe. Works so great on Model T wire spokes. Just tighten with wrench and the spoke is straight in a jiffy! High quality like his cams.

Is it true that you should shrink the spokes with heat or the wheel will not have correct tension and wobble when hitting a pot hole?

The slide hammer with the hook attachment works the best. After straightening the spokes, check alignment and then do what Norm has said. If the wheels need to be refinished, you can use heat to shrink the spokes needing tightened. The best way to learn how to straighten a wheel is to practice on a bicycle wheel using a spoke wrench to true it. When you understand what needs tightening, heat that spoke up and then red in one spot, then use a wet rag to cool it. That spoke will tighten. It works well. Good luck!