"Beyer Jr., Chris (C.C.)" wrote:
> > Not to sound facetious, but obtaining the
> > correct-length spokes would obviate the need for
> > this device, too.
> *******
To which Bruce responded:
> actually, it wouldn't, necessarily -- if I'm building
> wheels that are going to be heavily stressed, I'd
> prefer to err on the longish end and make sure that
> they have full engagement all the way through the end
> of the nipple, rather than end up a bit short and
> break the head of the nipple off..
Chris is wholly correct in this case, as any threads extending past the end of the nipple will guarantee that you do not have the fullest contact between the nipple and the spoke threads. Nipples generally have threaded sections that are longer than the threaded parts of the spokes, so you want to ensure that every thread of the spoke is fully engaged with a threaded part of the nipple. Any part that extends past the end of the nipple is therefore not engaged and therefore lessens the contact surface. It could even be argued that in the case of nipples that have a screwdriver groove, the threads corresponding to the groove should also be avoided as they are not complete. Remember, spokes are generally available in 2 mm increments, so there is no need to err period! Sutherland's used to have a very complete spoke length chart that could be consulted for spoke length of virtually any imaginable rim/spoke/hub/spoking pattern combination. That is the most used part of my 1974 Sutherland's guide.
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
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