Redrilling chrome rims

Kawastoney · Post by **Kawastoney** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:06 am

Is it possible to redrill chrome rims?

I made the mistake of buying new chrome rims on ebay for my C72. Having found they are drilled at the wrong angle I now want to modify them to fit.

Do they have to be welded up then redrilled? (then rechromed) or can I just simply jig it at the right angle on a drill press and fire away?

Any other way out of this?

Any advice or experiences would be appreciated.

pknopp · Post by **pknopp** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:32 am

I'm on my way out the door so I do not have the time to look but it seems to me that this has been addressed here a few times.

You might try and search.

Kawastoney · Post by **Kawastoney** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:06 am

pknopp wrote:... but it seems to me that this has been addressed here a few times.

You might try and search.

I've been seaching quite a bit since discovering my mistake. So far I've found two mentions of redrilling.

The first was not by someone who had actually redrilled a chrome rim. Good advice was offered though. That was that the rim will rust where it is drilled.

The second was by someone who used a carbide burr. No mention of results.

At some point I will be having a go at it myself (have nothing to lose) and post the method and results.

cknight · Post by **cknight** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:20 am

That would have probably been my post on the carbide burr. You basically oval the existing holes out in the appropriate direction for the proper spoke angle. Just drilling the existing holes oversize will really reduce the area that the head of the spoke nut sits on, and would not be the safest procedure if it's going to be ridden. Even if you drill the correct sized hole at the proper angle, the center of the hole needs to be moved to achieve the correct alignment. Could be done in a vertical mill with a bit of fixturing. Rechromed the rim afterward to prevent rusting. Turned out fine, just kind of a pain to do, plus the rechroming costs. Numerous reassemblies prior to plating needed to insure no bowed spokes. Purists would notice the oval holes, along with the later stamping on the rim flange (which could be brazed in before replating). Sure would be good to find properly drilled rims, even if they needed plating. Regards, Chase

Kawastoney · Post by **Kawastoney** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:21 pm

Thanks for the info Chase.
I'm going to look at fixing a couple of old farm bikes for someone who has several bits of engineering equipment, including a mill, on Sunday. I think I see a trade coming up.