This might be of interest to anyone who is going to lace up the spokes on a 1929 front wheel.
I checked with the RO and it told me that the main point is to start fitting the spokes into the hole in the brake drum side that lines up with the holes in the small flange. Ok, so I then had 20 nice new spokes in the equally nice new rim that I bought from Randy. This is the point where I started to tear out my hair. (what is left of it anyway ) The brake drum side of the hub was filled with the 20 spokes. When I went to fit the next spoke on the smaller hub side I then found to my amazement that is was nearly 1/2" too short !! At first I thought that the rim must be punched wrong, but on comparing new with old, all was identical.
I then went back to basics and re-checked that all important start position for the first spoke. It did not line up as it should. Only a fraction out but it was wrong. So I then stripped out the spokes and started again. This time it worked ok and now the wheel is complete with 40 new spokes.
Now I still cant get my head round the fact that the 20 holes on one side do not line up as you would think with the other side 20 holes, if all holes are drilled concentrically and equally round the rim. Perhaps GY could explain the theory here ?
Another tip when lacing the wheels is to protect the paint on the rim with masking tape to avoid the spokes scratching it.
For the secondary bend on 10 of the spokes, I made a small jig. Just clamped two 3/4" thick strips of steel together and drilled a hole on the join, the size of the spoke and then used it in the bench vise to clamp each spoke which I ben using a wide adjustable wrench. It worked a treat!
I will post some more pictures later on Flickr.
Mike