Back from NAHBS (3/9-11) and CABDA (2/1-2), time for a Wheel Fanatyk product update!
Tensiometer improvements
Carrying case upgrade: a luxurious black Nanuk 904 (MSRP $49) with custom foam inserts. One customer called it “like a Navy Seal lunchbox.”
New indicators from IPIC: extremely rugged, easier to use, impressive feel, and less expensive. Our digital price drops $50 to $298 and the dial by $45 to $235. The digital retains all compatibility for fast data download.
Our foot switch kit, now by IPIC, is $98 and allows instant, hands free, data download. Key is the free tension utility by spokeservice.ca that converts readings to tension and generates a tension radar chart. You can also manually key in readings but with a foot switch and our digital tensiometer (either IPIC or Mitutoyo) the process is very fast.
IPIC is one of the largest instrument makers with customers worldwide like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Intel, Snap-On, MacTool, SPI, Fowler, Central, and Rockler. They also maintain the iGaging brand.
P&K Lie refinements
These stands continue to rule. Peter and Kerstin have applied even finer finishes to their brass and aluminum, making the tool even more beautiful. Their thru axle adapters and stand now to accommodate all axle diameters and fat hub widths.
After an 18 month hiatus, their sought-after spoke wrenches are back, in 7 colors.
Nipple Bath
Our oiling system spares builders the chore of individually lubing each nipple. For 2017 the strainer is bigger and stronger, with a stainless mesh twice the gauge, and a more open weave for faster draining. If you want even-faster draining, just poke a nail-like shape into the bottom mesh and it will drain faster. Do not use a poker larger than a nipple!
Nipple Shufflers
Used around the world to speed up building, we offer four woods this year: myrtle, hickory, ash, and alder. Happy to report German wheel specialists, Tune will begin selling them in Europe.
Spoke Cut & Thread Machine
The spoke machine steadily improves. Last year saw upgrades to the guide bearing, guide plate knob, and limit bracket. This month (March) the ruler for spoke cutting is now equipped with a magnifier, making it easy to confidently cut to 0.5mm accuracy. Each machine includes three support products (available separately).
- Illuminated Magnifier, 20X, metal construction ($18)
- Oiler, 250ml high pressure pump oiler with steel reservoir ($4.90)
- Base Pan, 10” x 12”, predrilled heavy gauge stainless, ($30)
Spoke Cup
Builders use a variety of jars, jugs, vases, and mugs to hold spokes during cutting and building. I’ve broken pint glasses and vases, and tipped over fistfuls of spokes.
All leading to the perfect solution: a stainless pint glass with a broad disk base that prevents tip over. The pint glass shape encourages spokes to fan out. When a handful of spokes fans out like a floral array pickup is much faster. Time consuming tangles and spills are gone.
The trick is a cone in the base that guides spoke ends outward, where they tend to fall domino-style in a fan shaped arc. With each elbow separated, they’re easily reached for threading or lacing.
The spoke cup is laser etched "Wheel Fanatyk," has a tip-proof 4" diameter stainless base, and weighs 14oz (390g). A chalice fit for inspired building.
Dishing Tool
We offer ash, a pale bright wood that’s exceedingly hard—a clever work of art that can perform daily wheel building duty.
Our show exhibits went great and thanks to many of you who came by to say "hi." Both venues were very busy and our booth was often buried in visitors. There is so much to share in the wheel world these days!
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Zak
November 02, 2021
New digital set up looks good Ric