Phil Wood Spoke Machine

This is one entry on the website that has no direct connection to the Avatar, but since the Phil Wood spoke cutter is considered uncommon due to its cost and the fact that I own one, I thought it might be appropriate to post my experience.

Back in the mid-eighties, I purchased Phil Wood’s (serial#119) spoke machine from Len Vreeland nearing the time he closed up shop.  I paid Len $600, which is about what he paid new at that time.  I doubt that he processed very many spokes through the machine because he did not have it that long.  I have probably built about 10-12 wheels since that time for myself and a couple wheels back in the eighties for several people.

I now see that Phil Wood Company still makes the unit and apparently sells it wholesale for somewhere around $4,300!  I have no intention of selling my unit anytime soon, but eventually reality will set in and I will have to sell.  Back when I had my small machine shop, I made the custom table out of solid aluminum which bolts to the wall.

Original 1984 Phil Wood “User Manual” ( pdf)

 

The Phil Wood spoke cutter machine is shown generally, with measurements on the custom table.
Phil Wood spoke cutter mounted on custom table.

 

Here is the process:

(1)

The cutter's shear blade cuts the spoke to length as the first step of the process.
Step One of a three-step continuous process

Close up of previous photograph.

 

(2)

The second action is the lifting arm raises and feeds the spoke onto the platform.
Step Two of same process

A close up photo of the previous photograph.

 

(3)

The cutter's lifting arm aligns the spoke to ensure correct entry into dies.
Step Three

 

The finished cut spoke on the cutting machine after one full revolution of the handle.
The new and cut-to-length threaded spoke is complete.

 

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