Originally Posted by
gyozadude
To do the build, I cut the old spokes off with a big set of diagonal cutters, and overhauled the rear hub and cleaned, regreased, and put new 1/4 inch balls .
Don't do that! ...At least on a fully tensioned wheel. Two problems. Maybe 3. First, cutting a spoke that is under tension releases a lot of energy and the end of the spoke can fly off with incredible speed and power. Before I was enlightened, I embedded a spoke in the celling.
Second, cutting a tensioned spoke releases the energy that can make the end of the spoke fly off into space back into hub flange. You could end up cracking the hub flange and ruining the hub.
Third, cutting spokes with a pair of diagonal cutters is very hard on the cutters.
Detension the wheel then cut the spokes with a small pair of bolt cutters. No flying spokes, broken hubs or ruined tools.