In Reply to: Respoke Part 1 posted by Michael Pawelek on December 28, 2001 at 12:39:05:

"Working With New Spokes-Part 2"
There are different ways to install new Model T spokes, if one has a hydraulic press available this is probably the easiest. I do not have a press and have used a bucket on a tractor front end loader to install all 12 spokes at the same time. Some also use a good "bottle jack" in a tight door jam for the same results.
What I do is to lay the tire rim on four pieces of 4 X 4 lumber all cut approx. 1 foot long. This suspends the rim high enough in the air so that as the spokes are pushed down a longer front hub will not hit the ground. I then assemble all 12 spokes in a "tee-pee" fashion with the hub at the top, outside (hub cap)end facing down. This might take two folks or some tape to hold this in place until a downward pressure is applied. I adjust the hub bolt holes so that after pressing the holes will be centered directly over the seam between every other spoke. I then apply pressure down until all 12 spokes pop into place. Once the spokes are pressed in and the downward pressure released one of three things will happen. (1) If the hub continues to travel downward past the horizontal plane with the spokes….the spokes are too short. (2) If the spokes and hub pop back upwards when the pressure from above is released the spokes may be too long. (3) If the spokes and hub remain in a horizontal position everything is great! It's now time to add the front plate and drill the new hub bolt holes!
Once, again let me reiterate that there are multiple ways to install new spokes, this is just the way I do it with the little equipment I have available… I hope this helps…Michael Pawelek

Part 1