Re: [CR]Removing a freewheel from a bare hub?

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: "dddd" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: "Classic Rendezvous" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20050803051423.59534.qmail@web51605.mail.yahoo.com> <42F068B1.D4850054@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Removing a freewheel from a bare hub?
Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2005 23:34:36 -0700
reply-type=original


> bruce thomson wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone have experience (positive experience, that is) in removing a
>> freewheel from a hub that has been cut from a rim? Since this does not
>> have the leverage of a complete wheel, is there a way of clamping
>> (holding) the hub while removing the freewheel without damage to the hub?

If there's 2 or 3 spokes in the drive-side flange, these can be secured in a vice so that they become roughly tangent as reverse torque is applied and the outer edges of the flanges rest against the (protected) top of the vice jaws. A stout, well-anchored vice is needed, and one should fully tighten the vice on the spokes only as the spokes both start pulling equally, with the spokes tangent. Hopefully the cut spokes are long enough to reach into the jaws. I'd use cardboard to protect the edge of the flange from the top of the vice, and reposition the wrench as needed so that the hub shell remains parallel to the jaws as increasing torque is applied.

I sure wouldn't trust the center of the hub to transmit that much torque.

David Snyder
Auburn, CA USA