Topic: Lester wheels

[stump43]

Had a bit of trouble the other day....had a caliper bolt back out and get into the spokes of a set of vintage lester wheels. Of course it gouged the spokes and caused quite a stir.

Has this ever happened to anyone? If so, was a repair attempted? It is mostly cosmetic damage, but I'm a machinist and could have the gouges filled with mig and machine it back, paint etc. My concern is that it is a cast and maybe forged wheel, and that it would be cause for some embrittlement issues. Thoughts? I may send the wheel off to the frame man in sacramento and have him take a wack at it. He is pretty reasonable price wise and I really would like to save the wheels as they are a good period mod for back in the day.

Thanks again for everyones time.
regards, steve.     

[Dave K]

Mig is very localized heat. I think that I would have no problem doing it and riding it. JMHO

[Tom Stark]

There are places that repair aluminum wheels to where you can't see the repair.  MIG is not the way to go, too little control.  TIG would be the preffered method.  MIG is like welding with a caulking gun.  If you have a long seam, it will fly.  TIG is VERY similar to MIG, but allows the welder to control the heat, and the amount of rod being used.   I would have no problem riding on a wheel professionally repaired. 
Tom