32 Hat Rim Question

[Dan]

I am refirbishing a set of 32" hat rims for my "39 9N and have a question. The rims I have are in excellent conditon with most of the original factory silver-ish coating still on the outside. The insides are pitted as normal of course, so I sandblasted them last weekend and coated them with phosphoric acid. The rims do not have the inner band as most hat rims I have seen, and I see no evidence it ever had them (no weld spots, band fragments, etc.). Now these wheels are pretty clean and it does not appear anyone has cleaned them up before. Also - the side of the rim where the hat is appears to be much closer to the edge of the rim than my 8N hat rims - meaning there is very little space to even tack weld a band in place.

Is it possible these very early 32" rims did not have a band, and used something else (or was filled with something)? I cannot find anything on Google after two days of looking.

TIA,
Dan

 

[HCooke]

Dan,I have 5 sets of 32" rims and everyone I have ever seen had bands. In one the bands had been removed and the space under the band had been filled with concrete. Good to see you on the forum again.

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the quick reply - don't suppose you know where these bands were attached do you? For example - do they roll up on the higher edge to tack weld, or just but up against the "wall" of the taller section and butt weld? Sure is odd I can't find ANY evidence of spot welds around the inside. I may try to find some metal to tack in place, but also thinking of coming up with something to fill in the gap (not concrete...). Then paint with truckbed liner per Hobo's trick.

Finally landed a good job and trying to finish up the '39 that has occupied 1/2 of my garage for the past several years untouched. Just sheet metal left.

Dan

 

[HCooke]

"do they roll up on the higher edge to tack weld"
Here is a picture of an original 28" rim. I do not see any obvious welds and there is a shoulder
that fits on the higher edge.

This second picture is a 32" rim that has been repaired with a new band. The welds are obvious
and there is no shoulder on this band.

I also looked at a portion of one of the scraped rims that had concrete in it. I cannot see any
obvious welds, but there was a lot of rust in this one.

 

[Dan]

Thanks for checking on this. Your pic of the 32" rim was how I was figuring on going for the repair. I also like the idea of filling this area but cannot think of a good product that would stay in place while drying on that round surface.

 

[LisaK]

I used that expanding foam and cut it flush with the rim on mine that had a bad band, took it to the tire shop to have the tube and tires put on, they said take out the foam as it will cut the tube. So I did and just wrapped duct tape around it numerous times. Not thinking I could have probably just put the tape over the foam.

 

[jon]

Dan, I swear I was just talking about you today to my Postmaster, the story of mailing you that rock!
He said we both must be crazy.
Glad things have picked up & hope they stay this time...for us both!

 

[Dan]

(quoted from post at 18:45:26 05/13/14) Dan, I swear I was just talking about you today to my Postmaster, the story of mailing you that rock!
He said we both must be crazy.
Glad things have picked up & hope they stay this time...for us both!

I have that rock at a place of honor at our fire pit and have recounted the story several times thanks to your write up. Thank goodness for usps flat rate boxes eh? ;-)

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 19:33:41 05/13/14) Thanks for checking on this. Your pic of the 32" rim was how I was figuring on going for the repair. I also like the idea of filling this area but cannot think of a good product that would stay in place while drying on that round surface.

I am sure what ever you do it will be long lasting repair...

Bout the only thing I can dream up cheap is fill it with black plastic water pipe... Heat with a heat gun and hammer it in to fit....

I do like the metal band tho....