High time to play catchup on product developments here at Wheel Fanatyk . Many of you have not been updated on our changes. Believe me that you’ll want to scan this list, some of these items are game changers for wheel builders.
Nipple Drivers
We are proud to offer brand new drivers from BSC in Wales. There are 3 styles: slotted, square, and hex—all with adjustable pins to unseat the driver so nipples are threaded equally.
Can you see what a big deal these are! Superior in important details to any made before and will enable huge economies in build time and precision. A set of 3 is a 17% discount.
Morizumi New Upscale Adjustable Lever Knob
The legendary spoke cutter now comes standard with an adjustable lever knob to unlock gauge change. It can be tightened much more securely and after use, rotated out of the way. Never have your gauge switch drift from position again and if the last user left it too tight, it’s easy to smack with a block or mallet to loosen. It can be retrofitted, just check under SCT parts in the store.
Myrtle and Mahogany Shufflers Back in Stock
Much cherished fancy woods rejoin alder and ash for nipple shufflers. Check the rich and complex appearance.
Hozan Building Aids
We’re solidly in an era where busy wheel builders must be able to thread spokes for time sensitive repairs and builds. If you are not ready for a full-fledged spoke machine (35lbs and $3K), Hozan has a perfect solution. This is the best available of a classic design.
It will thread 14G or 13G spokes by swapping heads. At the same time, check their brand new digital tensiometer. Have you wondered where to start in the tensiometer field or which tool to add to your practice? Hozan has been making tensiometers for 40yrs—the go-to measurement for Shimano’s impressive wheel line.
Their dishing tool is the most solid I’ve ever handled, the piston center post is a very precise fit, and the lavish chrome look is retro hot rod!
Noble Lacing Stand
Perhaps the biggest news in our tiny scene is Jonny Bell’s lacing stand from London. Designed after years of development and input from other builders, this stand is a runaway success. We’ve sold over 30 this year without even an announcement. Here is a lovely workshop scene at Spencer Kearney’s shop near Brisbane, AU.
Most of us are long term lap lacers so switching to a stand takes a bit of practice. But everyone is noting greater speed especially with awkward hubs (thru axle, straight pull spokes) and rims (carbon and tubeless). You’ll never forget how to lace in a chair but there’s no going back from a stand like this.
Long Nipples
Traditionally, nipples were available as long as 25mm for wood rims. These have become increasingly rare and expensive lately so we laid into a generous stock in brass by the excellent TW spoke company CN.
Add a few to your array.
Wera Bit Holder
No tool company does it like Germany’s Wera who insist that mechanics are rock stars. What’s not to love?
We carry a tidy selection from their massive range and are pleased to have added the Bit holder 816R for 1/4” bits and the new BSC Nipple Drivers. Ultimately ergonomic, tight positive bit retention, and fast changes—all combine to put this little beauty in a class of its own.
I hope some of these items find their way into your workshop and help elevate your craft.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Rob Borek
November 02, 2021
Another Bit holder worth considering is the Wera Kraftform Turbo, this has a geared handle, so the bit turns at 4 times the speed of the handle. A great alternative to using a drill when paired with a depth setter like the BSC!