Wire Wheel Spoke Removal

[Tinkerman]

I'm getting ready to take my wire wheels to North Carolina to get them tuned by Hendrix Wire Wheel. I need to have all of the spoke nipples free, so they can tune them after they mount and balance the tires. I have soaked them for several days using Kroil. So far my score is two out of four. That is to say that I got the nipples off of two and broke two spokes. Not a good score. One article that I have on tuning wire wheels suggests heating until cherry red and them touching with a wet cloth. This will supposedly break them free. I have used heat, in the past, to break nuts and bolts free, but never with the added wet cloth. I have plenty of spare nipples and spokes so I don't mind losing a few.
Anyhow, whatever thoughts and experiences that you have had would be greatly appreciated. I have a MAPP gas torch, haven't tried it yet but have been told that it would be hot enough.
Again any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Tinkerman

 

[14dna]

Dick;

When I first apprenticed for a mechanic, I worked with a fellow who used that method, or similar.
He would heat the part up cherry red and then slowly pour water on it. At the same time, he would begin to loosen the part. As it loosened, he kept pouring water on it. The water washed all the rust out.
The only drawback was, clean up immediately after, as it would rust again very quickly.

Hope this helps. Let me know how you make out.

Dave

 

[MDCanaday]

The best I ever found was to heat the nipples and quench with wheel bearing grease.This combines the small fires and terrible stench,so that your wife will beg you to just get the Dayton's with stainless spokes,and she will even help with the $$$.
MD(mad dog)

 

[MikeP]

I've done similiar to get rusted pistons out of caliper halves. I can't reach cherry red but get them hot enough to steam brake fluid out of the holes and then into a bucket of water. Always works, but as they say it requires immediate cleanup.

 

[Tinkerman]

By the way, Kroil smells a bunch, not a bad smell, just there. However it is not flamable. Just so you know.

Tinkerman