My sandcast rolled rim had an out of round spot that was really aggravating me, before I thought it through, I got mad and whacked it with an orange plastic mallet. Then I thought OMG what have I done? Turned out I whacked it just right and no damage done.
I wonder if a rim can be trued with every spoke the exact same torque, but maybe someone is that good. It isn't me. I did notice a loose spoke on one of my brother's wheels after they got new tires, I'll need to check them on the bike.
Don,there are wheel building folks w/ lots of experience,all over the world who do just what you described;the individuals can even take a wheel w/ a bent rim,disassemble it and straighten the rim on certain home-made jigs,then reassemble it and whack on it a few more times.. and somehow that wheel is fully straight ! Those folks are amazing.
I have worked with many used wheels/spokes/rims and I do well when I attempt to get all of the used spokes to a similar 'feel'/torque.. not usually 100% possible.. but close.
I take each used spoke apart(when I disassemble a wheel)and lightly clean the male threads(small SS brush)on each spoke,then apply a little Never Seize on each spoke's threads,and w/ the spoke 'nipple',work each one until it threads and moves smoothly;then I reassemble the wheel.
I can get a more even 'feel'/torque between them all when I do this process.
I like using all new $ OEM spokes
I set of new OEM or better spokes with a new,good quality rim? no problem.