RE: [CR]WTD. VAR No.2 Spoke-End Cutters.

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2002 17:32:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Bruce Krueger" <bikebruce@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: [CR]WTD. VAR No.2 Spoke-End Cutters.
To: "Beyer Jr., Chris (C.C.)" <cbeyer2@volvocars.com>, 'Sheldon Brown' <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>, DMart84815@aol.com, ClassicRendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <596000F0A205D511AABC0002B3152BD8078ACFED@na1ecm14.dearborn.ford.com>


--- "Beyer Jr., Chris (C.C.)" <cbeyer2@volvocars.com> wrote:
> Not to sound facetious, but obtaining the
> correct-length spokes would obviate the need for
> this device, too. ******* actually, it wouldn't, necessarily -- if I'm building wheels that are going to be heavily stressed, I'd prefer to err on the longish end and make sure that they have full engagement all the way through the end of the nipple, rather than end up a bit short and break the head of the nipple off..
> Subject: Re: [CR]WTD. VAR No.2 Spoke-End Cutters.
> >I miss the Third Hand! I'm in
> >need for VAR SPOKE END CUTTER. I've tried Loose
> Screws and did a Google
> >Search with no luck.
>
> > Classic content........... VAR is an
> old French company and I
> >need the tool for spokes that I'm fitting on a 1949
> SINGER Tandem.
>
> This tool never worked all that well, especially not
> for stainless spokes. ******* they do passably well, especially if you have a wheel with a lot of spokes protruding 2-3 (or more) after proper tensioning, and it's faster than a grinder if you have a lot of material to remove, and I'll sometimes even use mine (that is yes, I have one -- two, actually; the 90degree offset and the straight-on. ..prefer the former) to nip ends that I'm gonna grind anyway.
>
> A better tool for this is a small disk-shaped
> grinding wheel chucked
> into an electric drill. This is a common hardware
> store item, costs
> $3-4. It's easier and does a better job. Wear
> safety glasses.
> ******* an angle grinder with a metal-cutting disk is the quick&easy solution that I've settled on -- just watch out for the 'kick' when you switch it on, and safety goggles are certainly a good idea, but I just shoot the sparks the other way and figur my specs'll catch the rest (OSHA would be appalled, I'm sure).

if you *really* want to get VAR tools (or parts for same) talk to the nice folks at QBP, or have your shop order through them -- they make an order through their european supplier at least once a year (which means you may be facing a bit of a wait unless your timing is stellar).

bruce BIKEWORKS urbana, IL

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