Originally Posted by NJWheelBuilder
Spoke washers are intended to be used between the spoke and the hub. They are not intended to go into the rim socket. If you don't have eyelets, put a little grease on the inside of the rim drilling so the nipples will turn easier when tensioning.
I would have thought from your handle that you would know there are spoke washers and nipple washers. Nipple washers are oval shaped, whereas spoke washers are round. I am sure this is one of those topics that could start a glorious dedate or even a flame war. Suffice it to say, it is my opinion, based on absolutely zero engineering data, (other than the seat of the pants variety,)that there would be some benefit to using nipple washers for re-enforcement in a single wall rim if you don't mind the added(negligable) Weight.
Dan Burkhart
www.boomerbicycle.ca