Looking to make a wheel turning mandrel

[flockshot]

I have been using a friends metal lathe for the last few seasons to turn wheels. I have been able to get good wheels, but I have had to turn way too many in order to get good race wheels. Additionally, I have never been confident in my wheel holding method and want to improve my process.

I just got my own benchtop metal lathe and want to make a wheel holding mandrel that will not put any pressure on the sides of the wheel. I feel that this would make it easier to cut the tread concentric to the inner bore.

My thought is to turn a pin that would friction fit in the bore or minimally clamp on the inner and outer hub. I do not want to stretch the bore or deform the hub. Maybe I am over thinking the wheel turning process and kt just takes a lot of turning to get good ones., but I want to use the best process I can develop.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

I do exactly what you are suggesting.

 

[Darkside]

I use a slightly oversized pin gauge in an ER32 collet then zero it out with a dial indicator. I also slightly chamfer and polish the end of the pin gauge so it won't damage the bore when mounting the wheel.

 

[Brian97cobra]

I use a slightly oversized pin gauge in an ER32 collet then zero it out with a dial indicator. I also slightly chamfer and polish the end of the pin gauge so it won't damage the bore when mounting the wheel.

Using a small collet is an excellent idea. What holder are you using for the ER32 Collet and what lathe do you have? Do you have 3/4 independent jaws chuck to dial it in? Or self centering chuck?

From my research and testing a .0985 pin gauge seems to work well for most wheels.