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Home   Blog   Digital height gauge with hub stand

Digital height gauge with hub stand

November 04, 2018 2 Comments

To build a wheel you must measure your hub and rim to determine spoke length. The better your measurements, the more accurate the spoke length prediction. Here's a tool to make that easier.

Thanks to Adrian Emilsen I was reminded how helpful a height gauge is. I've got one you should consider—iGaging's precision digital tool. Here's one in use in Adrian's workshop in Western Australia.

Adrian's setup

The IP54 tool is a great choice. Features:

  • Travel range: 0-6'' (150mm)
  • Resolution: 0.0005" (0.01mm)
  • Accuracy +/-0.001" (+/-0.03mm)
  • Repeatability: 0.0005" (0.01mm)
  • Large LCD Display
  • Solid aluminum base with strong magnets embedded
  • Stainless steel beam
  • Powered by a single battery which lasts about 1 year with normal use (a second spare battery is included)
  • Controls: Zero reset, On/Off, inch/mm/fraction conversion, Hold, Absolute.
  • WATER / OIL RESISTANT - Protection Classification IP54 (light splashes)

We ship it with instructions and a hub stand—a one pound slug of polished steel, 76mm diameter x 13mm depth, with a 12mm center hole. Any QR or thru axle hub will sit still so you can adjust the measuring beam.

 

Here on a QR disk rear hub.

 

For hub width determination, refer to the image below. First set the sliding beam on the base and press zero. Raise it to the center of the next flange (A) and note the number. Then raise to the second flange (B) and again note the number. Finally raise it to the axle end (C). Note the number.

Right hub width (center-to-flange) = C/2 - A

Left hub width (center-to-flange) = C/2 - (C-B)

Easier than fumbling with a vernier

Reference points.

 

A height gauge also assists rim measurement. Establish width, bead seat location, and hole offset.

 

Rim hole position.

 

Add a height gauge to your workshop!



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2 Responses

mark petry
mark petry

November 02, 2021

What a neat tool. Years ago I had access to a Starrett Vernier height guage and a surface plate. The digital guage with variable zero is the ultimate !

I also agree with Roger above, add up your measured values to confirm they equal the over locknut dimension as a cross check.

thank you Ric !! Awesome

/markp

Roger
Roger

November 02, 2021

When calculating the Left and Right offsets, it’s advisable to check the results, since L+R should equal B-A or just use a spreadsheet that accepts the three measured values. This check has saved me on a couple of occasions!

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