Immediately after I posted yesterday, Burkhard sent me current photos. I think maybe he’s having some fun with me, because the last one is definitely smaller than the next two, and even accounting for perspective, the closest looks bigger.
I’m not sure why he feels a need to fix them — it’s just a few bug holes and Model Ts don’t go very fast.
But he’s picky. No doubt will insist on new tires as well.
I think that’s a front hub below. You can actually buy one new for USD 289.95. Might make a nice coffee table conversation piece. The new spokes will be made from fresno, or ash, used for ax handles up north (along with hickory).
Rims and hubs, ready to go for refurbishing. Local cost to put each wheel back together with new spokes is USD 100, which seems like a good deal now that I’ve looked online.
And meanwhile, some new antique firewood!
Some hobbies are more expensive than others.
I thought your walking stick hobby was expensive when I was still in sticker shock about prices in Uruguay. But, yeah: point taken.
$100 per wheel to re-spoke is a screaming good deal. Hopefully the quality is good also.
I’ll be interested to see as well. In Uruguay, where everyone seems to be a jack of all trades and master of none, I think someone with the specialty knowledge to rebuild a Model T wheel is going to pretty good. Stay tuned!