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spoke length calculator http://www.prowheelbuilder.com/spokelengthcalculator/

i have decided to make this step by step instructions that will do a 4 cross patern for 36 or 48 spoke wheels..  these spokes are 14 guage x 7-5/8" or 194mm  this size will work for most low flange hubs and 20" hoops.

to start place a hoop on your lap with the valve hole away from you (notice the spoke holes are high and low).. now take your hub and starting with the in-bound spokes, slide one spoke in and lay it across the hub like so..




lay it straight across flat, it will land between 2 holes on the other flange.. count over to the 9th hole on the right, slide in another in-bound spoke..     these 2 spokes go in the holes on each side of the valve hole...  remember the lower hole will take the spoke from the side of the flange closest (the back flange in the pic)




IMPORTANT: only turn the nipples on 2 full turns at this time, you will tighten later.
ok now your ready to start putting in all the in-bound spokes. pick one flange to start.

now working to the left. skip one hole on the flange and slide a spoke in, now counting left on the hoop put it in the fourth hole (note: it should be an upper hole on the hoop)...   repeat this all the way around the flange... now it looks like this





ok flip the wheel over and do the same thing on the other side. remember work to the left skip one hole on the flange. and go in every fourth hole on the hoop...   now you have this



ok now you can start adding the out-bound spokes..   now pick any hole on either flange and slide a spoke in from the inside of the flange going outward...  this spoke will need to cross over 3 and under the fourth inbound spokes to the left and end up near 2 holes on the hoop, pick the hole to the left  (witch is the upper hole, for the upper flange)



continue that going left all the way around the wheel, then flip it and do the same thing...  now you have a complete wheel... 



now starting at the valve hole go to the left and tighten every nipple, but DO NOT tighten them down all the way. you must give them another 2 turns each all the way around, then repeat this process till they are most of the way tight..
 
then truing them up will take some practice, need a stand to get them perfect. you can mount it on a bike and use the brakes as a home made truing stand.   i got this one after years of wheel building and i love it, can true up wheels perfect..

Last edited by caleb_k31 (2013-01-28 8:06pm)