Spoke cutting services
 

Anybody around here with a Phil Wood spoke cutter willing to cut some spokes or know of a reasonably priced service? I've looked around the web, but all I've found are some insane prices for cutting services, charging more to cut a spoke than a brand new spoke. $1.75 to $3 per spoke! Considering it takes a couple of seconds per spoke, that's ridiculous.

Where are you located? A local service saves the shipping costs which can escalate the price.
I can provide the service if you are local to me. I know there are others on the board that could as well.

You're not only paying for the spoke cutting, you're paying for the skilled labor to operate the Phil spoke machine which cuts and rolls the threads and costs near 4 grand.

Give Dans Comp a call. They'll custom cut Sapim spokes to any length you want with no minimum. Best deal out there, but you need to call to order.

DAN'S COMP - Bmx Bikes, Bmx Parts, Bmx Clothing, Bmx Shoes and Bmx Accessories!

There's only one shop in my area that qualifies as "pro" quality and they don't have a machine. It's not really the shipping costs, either. Those guys on the Net want those prices for EACH spoke, regardless of shipping.

I know about them. I'm not looking to buy new spokes since I already have some, otherwise I wouldn't ask for a service. Makes no sense to buy all new spokes if I already have 72 sitting around. Somebody here offered to cut them at 10¢ a spoke a while back, but unfortunately sold his Phil Wood cutter. Big difference between 10¢ and $3, especially at that quantity.

Cut spokes, with new threads cut, are weaker than new spokes - because material is removed. Penny wise pound foolish English would say.

http://www.portlandbolt.com/wp/wp-co...-diameter1.png

Spoke machines typically roll the threads rather than cutting them. So, no material is lost.

Then I stand corrected.

Is there compromising of spoke's steel "stainlessness" and/or material hardness?

Cutting spokes makes sense for exotic sizes/types, that can't be sourced, or are very expensive. For the price of a decent quality regular spoke, I doubt it would be cost effective to pay someone to cut the old ones. Correct me if I'm wrong there as well.

Our local bike coop has a Morizumi spoke threading machine. It is SLICK, but they're not cheap machines. Perhaps if you make it to Eugene, they'll let you try it out.

I think someone here posted a suggestion of a small shop that might stock a few spoke sizes and types, but then cut spokes as needed for emergency repairs to customer's bikes. So, when selling 1 or 2 spokes at a time, it might make sense to cut to size rather than keeping a huge inventory of odd sizes and shapes.

Shops may have troubles sourcing certain spokes such as lightweight 20" wheel spokes, so cutting may also be of benefit, although dealing with butting might be a pain.

What spokes do you have that need to be cut? Even Sapim CX-Rays aren't $3/each at Dan's.

That is in line with my rate if you bring me the spokes and wait for them. 10 cents each with a 50 spoke minimum.

As CliffordK mentioned, spoke threaders roll the threads onto a blank spoke, that is cut to the proper length. The Phil machine does this quite neatly, in one operation. The Cyclo/Hozan ones require you to trim the spoke before rolling the threads, IIRC. Rolling the threads work-hardens the threaded portion, so it is actually stronger after the threads are made.

That's what I've been saying, if you pay attention. Shops are advertising up to $3 to cut each spoke, while even new spokes don't cost that much.

Alas, you're in Canada and the shipping would be a killer in terms of money and transit time. Thanks for the offer anyway.

As you can see, there are people like Dan Burkhart above who charge reasonable prices, unfortunately I can't find them locally. If you can find new spokes for 10¢, more power to you. I personally don't see the point in spending $100 on new spokes if I already have 72 unused, too-long DTs available. That's "cost effective" to me. As for how quick and easy it is, watch somebody do in less than 2 minutes what some shops would charge up to $60 for.

Sure, at that price, if spoke quality isn't compromised, it's a more sensible option. :thumb:

My point: cut your losses on those DTs (or wait until some day you find a cheaper source for spoke cutting) and just buy some new spokes. Straight gauge Sapims are as cheap as $0.25 with a nipple from Dan's. And you don't even need to drive anywhere.

If I owned a shop I would likely have a minimum charge of roughly 1 hr ($60? shoprate). It's not really feasible to have an online business that caters to 2min jobs.

Small shops, like Don's, may do you a favor if you walk in and wait but it's not worth it for an online business.

Are we talking about DB spokes? because they're like $25 for two wheels' worth at Dan's Comp.
Edit: this was in error, I had priced out one wheel's worth some time ago and forgot all the details.

No, they're not. The only double-butted spokes they have are Sapim Lasers, which go for 70¢ each. That's about $50 for 72, and as trusted as Sapim is, I don't really like the idea of 17 gauge center sections.

Not much of a point. So I should "cut my losses" and throw out over $72 worth of spokes because you think I shouldn't ask around for an affordable cutting service. Not much help.

To the OP: sounds like you have identified a business opportunity. Why don't you purchase a Phil Wood machine and have a go at it? At least work up the business case of what you'd have to charge.

Actual shops disagree. For instance, I don't see anything like a $60 minimum at places like Bicycle Habitat, some of the best known shops in NYC. They charge whatever they think is a fair price for a service.

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