Great Falls tribune., 1922-04-23
Barney 0ldf@ldd ED says:
WHEELS.

WHEELS.
Not one automobile part has come
so much into the public eye during the
past few years as the disc wheel and
with it mass of discussion comparing
it's merits with that of the wood and
the wire wheel. Early development of
the disc wheel was wholly in the hands
of one company, but no sooner was this
one wheel accepted by the public than
four or five concerns introduced types
| have been asked dozens of times to
explain some things about this disteel
wheel and compare it with the older
types, but not enough was known about
the new metal design until recent
months The wooden wheel, Of course.
has been used ever since we have had
motor cars and considering that it is
made of wood it gives very good
account of itself The main trouble,
however, lies in the fact that there is
not enough good wood in the world to
supply onetenth Of our cars. It, there
fore. has been necessary to use woods
inferior to second-growth hickory
found to be worth while for this car
part. But even second growth hickory
made into wheel cannot now be COM
pared with the disc wheels Of good de-
sign. In some cases the disc design is
not what it should be, that is there
are errors in the design or it has been
cheapened merely to compete with the
wood wheel
Disc Wheel Advantages
Since all disc wheels do not possess
the desirable qualities of the best de-
sign and then point out the errors in
some Of the types.
The advantages are as follows:
1. Greater strength than wood or
wire.
>. Greater resiiency than any pre-
vlously existing type.
3. Easier to keep clean.
4. No maintenance cost whatever.
s. The wheel is demountable.
e. Easier on tires.
Z. Better looking on most cars
s. Always retains its definite shape
These are the more important ad-
yantages. So far as strength is con
cerned. and that implies safety, the
disc wheel Of superior design is far
ahead of wood or wire both for skid
loads, radial loads and thrust loads.
This means that the wheel will with
stand severe shock in any direction
without breaking though it may bend
A wooden wheel breaks under severe
stresses. wire wheel may bend. but
il has advantages when compared in
other respects with the disc wheel.
Disk Wheel Resiliency
In the disteel type, for instance, the
wheel is curved inwardly which also
may be said of some other types. This
inward curve permits of the disc flex
ing without a permanent set. The disc
may flex as much as one inch. The
metal must be correct, otherwise the
wheel will lose its shape after flexing
many times. If it does lose it's shape
it is no longer a circle. Hence there
will be interference with brake action,
due to lack Of concentricity with the
brake bands and the wheel will roll
along like an egg This resiliency of
the disc wheel is not characteristic of
all makes, but where it does exist it
saves the tire wear because the flowing
Of the wheel prevents the tires from
leaving the ground and grinding as it
strikes again.
One of the troubles encountered in
disc wheel design is that Of the loca-
ton of the valve stem. In some designs
this is on the inside and there it is a
Joke. It must be on the outside so as
to permit easy tire initiation. But more
than that. there must be sufficient
room around the valve stem so that the
air chuck on the end Of the air hose
will fit over the stem On some wheels
YOU have to use a small size chuck and
it YOU don't happen to find one you
cannot initiate the tire except with
hand pump.
Disc Wheels Do Not Wear Out
There is some discussion as to the
merits Of the disc wheel with and with
out a demountable rim. but it should
be clear to anyone that the fixed rim
type. which calls for the carrying of a
spare wheel instead of rim, is the
ideal type. Why have demountable
rim if the wheel is demountable simply
by removing five nuts? The demount-
able rim adds weight so that where it
is not used the wheel is actually lighter
than the wood wheel with demountable
rim.
Disc wheels do not wear out and are
affected by extremely hot temperatures
as are wood wheels. Disc wheels do
not wear flat spots because there is
complete disc instead of supports for
the rim only at intervals around the
circumference.
might say that the racing car driv-
ers | have spoken to have decided al
most as unit in favor of disc wheels
this year because of the advantages set
forth.
Dear Barney Oldfield At times
our car works alright and then it sud