cyrano138

I was looking at the park home mechanic truing stand for 140 bucks, but I wondered if there might not be a reasonably priced alternative. I'm aware that you can build your own out of relatively cheap materials, but I'm trying to avoid another DIY project. Plus I'm really not good with wood and carpentry and all that stuff.
I built a toolbox for my work trailer once and a carpenter friend of mine looked at it and actually threw up.

davidad

I have an older version of this one and it does the job. Minoura Wheel Truing Stand | Wayfair

davidad

I have an older version of this one and it does the job. Minoura Wheel Truing Stand | Wayfair
I recommend a dishing tool to finish the job.

pdlamb

Same here, though mine is branded Performance. Lightweight and so it's easy to move and store, but it's all I need.

cyrano138

Quick question. Do these stands allow you to check the dish by flipping the wheel over like the park stand advertisers? I was going to save the cost of addition tool by buying one that allows me to check the dish. Does that make sense? I'm new to this so I may be misunderstanding. But if I buy this one for 80 bucks and then have to buy the dishing tool anyway, it'll probably work out to about the same price.

wrk101

I have bought two of the Park Tool professional truing stands USED. I spent less than $140 for the two combined. Start watching FB marketplace and C/L in your area for used ones.

I did the same on work stands. I have bought five of the professional stands USED. Sold two of them.

pdlamb

Yes you can. I normally true with one side of the guide dialed up close to the rim, and the other a bit further out. Flip the wheel over, and if it's not dished right, you'll either have a rim hanging up on the guide or a gap between the guide and the rim. No fancy dials, but it's usually pretty easy to get it dished to within a mm or so (i.e., close enough).

CyclingFool95 

If you really want to, you can use your bike frame & brake calipers for truing. I worked this way for years just keeping wheels trued (wouldn't build a new wheel this way). I finally sprang for a used Park TS2, a new WAG-4, and even the Park spoke tension tool. Cost a small fortune but really makes wheel building much easier.

cyrano138

I've been truing wheels for a bit just using the bike frame, but I would like to start building some very basic wheels.

cyrano138

Thanks! Going to order one.

HillRider

Do a search for home made dishing tools. There are several types that can be made for nearly no cost that are adequately accurate. One simple design uses three small wood blocks to support the rim and a stack of washers or coins as the center gauge.

woodcraft

+1 on used TS-2. They come up pretty regularly on CL etc. for $100

delbiker1 

I have a Feedback truing stand that has truing on one side only at a time. I just flip sides. It works well enough for me. I do not replace spokes or mess with anything more than the truing. I just had my LBS replace spoke on a couple of wheels, and had them retension and true a wheel that was pretty bad. I could true it, but it would not stay true for long. I have a very good relationship with them and they treat me well.

I just looked at prices. The stand I have I bought on sale a few years ago for around $70. It is now at $130.

davidad

[QUOTE=cyrano138;22294853]Thanks! Going to order one.[/QUOT In time if you more than just a few wheels a dishing tool can make a wheel with nearly 0 mistake on the dish.

Just found this one. https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...prod122322?gs=

Amazon.com : Park Tool Portable Wheel Dishing Tool : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors

Dave Mayer

Hozan 330. Roughly 40 pounds of cast iron that will outlast my grandchildren; it could double as a boat anchor. Easy and intuitive to use; I've used several others including the top-end Park. I got my Hozan at a bike shop closeout for $50. I also have a separate dishing gauge that looks to be made of a single bar of steel with four bends, and drilled and tapped for a bolt at the centre. Good enough.

Road Fan

I don't know which Park I have, exactly, but it's pretty old, pretty basic, pretty sturdy, and it just works. I also don't recall what I paid but I thought it was too uch. Now I'm glad I just bit the bullet and did it. I don't really need more, at this point.

Binky

There is always the internet.
Look at these two VERY similar truing stands... both of them "on sale".
Bink