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Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:00 pm
by 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.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:35 pm
by Smax
Joe the press should do the job.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:44 am
by 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.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:25 am
by 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.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:46 am
by windybob
Try these. Most all that stuff is workable.

anvil 1.jpeg
anvil 2.jpeg
Okay, no ragging me about the colors.( Ed). :lol: Been painting other stuff.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 4:14 pm
by 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.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 6:30 pm
by 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.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2019 7:50 pm
by Mister Ed
windybob wrote: Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:46 am Okay, no ragging me about the colors.( Ed). :lol: Been painting other stuff.
What??? Who little innocent me me?? :o :o :o

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:33 am
by windybob
Haha.

Re: Aermotor 1897 bell hub wheel rims

Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:55 am
by 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.