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Technical Make your own steelies? Can’t be this easy.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by hotrodA, Nov 18, 2020.

  1. https://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Inch-Wheel-Shell-15-x-8-/133374142903?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

    I need to make some wider rear steel wheels for my 40 pickup, and looked at all the old threads, then discovered these.

    I have 15”, 5x5 1/2, Ford pickup smooth wheels with center OD measuring 12 5/8” and these shells (rims) from Speedway have an ID of 12 5/8”.

    Drill out the rivets, set the backspacing I need, true up runout and tack and finish weld?

    Sounds TOO easy.
    Am I missing something? Anybody ever use these shells?
    They also come in 10” width, but street tire availability may be an issue.

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2020
  2. Thats it. I have the same hoops and have done a couple others
     
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  3. Now that's a RIM like some guys have been talking about.
     
  4. I use my drill press for the rivets. Takes about 5 minutes a wheel. I'm putting wider hoops on these... 1114201537.jpg
     
    Dean Lowe, AHotRod, dwollam and 7 others like this.

  5. rusty rocket
    Joined: Oct 30, 2011
    Posts: 5,053

    rusty rocket
    Member

    Done several sets. Make sure to move around the rim when welding it back together. Did one wheel and had runout dead nuts but welded to much on one side and now the wheel has a wobble. It’s on my singleseater project so it just adds to the charm of the car, looks like it got in a little rubbin incident with another race car. Haha!
     
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  6. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,286

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I had to do the same thing to mine. Don't forget to drill the hole for the valve stem. :cool:
     
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  7. 31hotrodguy
    Joined: Oct 29, 2013
    Posts: 2,698

    31hotrodguy
    Member

    And this is why I love the H.A.M.B.! Thanks for the info!! Me thinks I’d like to try this!


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  8. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,514

    5window
    Member

    Looks like Speedway won't play that game-it's a "Wheel shell". :)
     
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  9. Thanks for the help, guys!
     
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  10. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I have a few 15" wheels to do this to, after I finish a run of Wide 5s.
     
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  11. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    what's the backside look like? how does it look reversed?

    has anybody chromed it and the center first and then went about assembling it?
     
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  12. I can get pics of mine, the look good reversed.
     
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  13. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    wish was that easy when I was a teenager over 50 years ago using Buick station wagon rims on my 49 Chevy centers.
    Running tubes and having to crawl under the car to put air in the tires.
     
  14. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    can you do that for me Tman?
     
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  15. Here is one side I dug up. I will snap the other side when I get home tomight. [​IMG]
     
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  16. Thanks, Tman! That looks great.
    Did you clean up the rim’s butt weld before painting?
     
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2020
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  17. Those particular ones are not welded yet. That 56 Chevy center is just laying in there if you look closely. Yes, the weld will get touched up a bit before powder.
     
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  18. AccurateMike
    Joined: Sep 14, 2020
    Posts: 631

    AccurateMike
    Member

    AHotRod and 31hotrodguy like this.
  19. 31hotrodguy and AccurateMike like this.
  20. AccurateMike
    Joined: Sep 14, 2020
    Posts: 631

    AccurateMike
    Member

    Who does new or custom centers ? It would be cool to see what you could put together.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  21. Several places make centers for LSR, Bonneville etc. But, they are flat and pretty beefy for a street driven car. You can get new wide 5s, I used those on my Bonneville project.
     
    31hotrodguy likes this.
  22. That is about the same as reversing a stock rim. I have even trued them up by spinning them on axle and using a bent coat hanger to locate the rim. I know backyard but when I was starting out i did not have a lathe or a dial indicator. ;)
     
  23. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    i have a dial indicator but the magnetic base won't stick to the concrete. my lathe doesn't have enough swing to mount a wheel in it
     
  24. How big is the bore in your headstock? Can you chuck an axle in it backwards and work off the opposite of the carriage?
     
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  25. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    not large enough to stick an axle through
     
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  26. Bummer. I would be tempted to cut the flange off an axle and make something that fit OR rig up a fixture with a couple pillow blocks to spin and true em.
     
  27. silent rick
    Joined: Nov 7, 2002
    Posts: 5,207

    silent rick
    Member

    or ask a friend if i can use his. that's an offy crankcase getting line bored

    Picture080.jpg
     
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  28. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 17,086

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Find a piece of scrap and sit it on the floor. Magnet it to that. Done deal
     
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  29. WOW!
     
  30. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,173

    Budget36
    Member

    Along with @Tman s advice of your through hole, if you can source an axle with the same BP, chop it off, face it and bore for a press fit the size your through hole will handle. You could use the wrong end of your lathe then.
     
    Just Gary, X-cpe and Tman like this.

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