Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

[joe herman]

On my way back from looking at the power mill a couple of weeks back
I found in a back road ditch a mangled complete wheel that matches my
mill which is missing 3 sections.I want to be able to salvage enough from
this find to complete mine which I have had for 8 years.The sails are not bad
but the rims are bent and twisted.I was going to purchase a 6 ton pneumatic/hydraulic
A-frame shop press which is on sale for $145.00.Will this do the job for me?
I have a slip roll machine for the sails.

[Smax]

Joe the press should do the job.

[windybob]

I would buy the press for sure. However I don't think you need it for the rims. I have an anvil made from a railroad iron, with a couple of slots in it. a 14 inch adjustable wrench, and a 16 inch pipe wrench with a 2 lb hammer is all I use for rims. They are malleable. I'll try to get a couple pictures today if I don't forget.

[joe herman]

Thanks Windy.I was worried about hammering the rims as they are curved in 2 directions
at the same place and do not want to distort the profile.Pictures would be welcome.

[windybob]

Try these. Most all that stuff is workable.

anvil 1.jpeg

anvil 2.jpeg

Okay, no ragging me about the colors.( Ed). Been painting other stuff.

[billcobb]

I hammer them flat, then slip roll them to the required curvature. Measure the tip to tip distance to get the needed curvature. Whatever you do, don't heat them. They get brittle.

[joe herman]

They are not that bad.I an hoping to find something with the right curvature such as a power pole
and use a rubber hammer to reform.That way I can leave the clips on which will save removing
6 rivets per sail.At this point I have removed the sails from the rims.
Have all winter to work on this project.

[Mister Ed]

Okay, no ragging me about the colors.( Ed). Been painting other stuff.

What??? Who little innocent me me??

[windybob]

Haha.

[Wayne]

I used my band saw and cut a 2x4 to the curve I needed use it for backing when trying to repair blades. You have apiece for front and back of blade then.