Thread: A Question for the Old Timers

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I worked in a shop that did this. I made a rotating fixture out of a motor stand that used a torch to split the rim. It had a gearmotor drive and worked just like a flame cutter...it was one.

Bands of various width were rolled from 1/4 inch material.

Like Dave I just put a few tacks aroun dboth sides of the band and tacked the band seam together.

I made a weld fixture that turned the wheel assembly while I welded it. I used a spray arc and lot of current. I could do a 20 inch wide truck wheel in about 30 minutes including priming it. Needless to say I was paid piece work on these and made a killing on them. These were used on farm vehicles so run out wasn't real critical but I checked and the beads rarely ran more than .030-.045 which is about as good as stock.

There are a couple Co. that still do this.

I actually did the first of this method back about 1959. The best you could get was a reversed rim. I split my old Olds rims at school and made bands in sheet metal shop on a roller. Bach then MIG welding was not common so I stick welded them. they worked great. No leaks and no sealer. I had fat rims reversed and some big tires for the day. Got an "A" in metal working and machine shop that semester for this project..