Replies

1. 
   trialnut | Feb 21, 2007 11:58pm | #1

   oatman

   Just lay them up out of three layers of 1" segments with offset joints and there is no need for any fasteners or fancy joints. Simple butt joints will do nicely cause the strength is in the long grain gluing.

   Rich

   The Professional Termite

1. 
   oatman | Feb 22, 2007 06:35am | #3

   Wow, hadn't thought of that...would you cut out the segments on the bandsaw? And would they need to be jointed somehow? Thanks for your input.

1. 
   trialnut | Feb 22, 2007 06:45pm | #6

   oatman

   Just layout what works well for a segment and make a hardboard template. Joint and thickness plane your boards. Use the template to layout the segments on your boards and cut out on the bandsaw. Sand the ends to your line on a disc or belt sander. Start the glueup by just butt gluing the first layer. Add second and third layer by gluing the face of each segment and sticking it down to the previous layer. You can nail, screw or just use weights for clamps as you go. Trim to size and cleanup after glue is set. I would glue up two half wheels rather than try to glue up a whole one and cut apart later. That way you can just let the ends run long and trim to size when dry. It is an easy and fast process as you don't need to be very careful with the glueup since you will be cleaning up the inside and outside after the glue is dry.

   RichThe Professional Termite

1. 
   jimmy | Feb 22, 2007 10:15pm | #7

   Also, offset each layer...like laying bricks...

1. 
   oatman | Feb 23, 2007 05:45pm | #9

   Got it, Jimmy. Thanks.

    

   Dennis

2. 
   oatman | Feb 23, 2007 05:42pm | #8

   Thanks, Rich, for the great tips. Going to the site today and will be using your advise tomorrow!

    

   Dennis

2. 
   mwenz | Feb 22, 2007 01:03am | #2

   The segments were joined with dowels for the most part. What the strength came from was the steel rim.

   These will see no load, so I would do the same and form steel strapping over the half circles, counter sink so the head of large screws do not fully go into the countersinks and file them flush. Done well, they will be hard to see.

   Take care, Mike

1. 
   oatman | Feb 22, 2007 06:42am | #4

   Thanks for your response. Don't know that I want to bother with steel strapping, since these are basically wall hangings and merely suggestive of real wagon wheels.

    

   Dennis

1. 
   mwenz | Feb 22, 2007 10:39am | #5

   Well, cannot get more suggestive than faking that an "actual" wheel was cut in half. The strapping would take an hour tops.

   But its your gig.

   Take care, Mike