How to Measure for correct size spoke nipple key Please

[antnee]

I see that there are items on here on how to true and build wheels, though all I'm after is a decent spoke key for wheel truing what brand would you recomend?
So How do I measure it is it just the distance across the flats? (people keep saying It's not hard) also are there any other good websites about wheel truing.
Many thanks Antnee

 

[adds21]

Sheldon Brown is a good place to start: http://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html

Personally, I like the "Buddy Spokey Spoke Key" (Google will find it). I find it's a nice size when building a wheel from scratch, smaller spoke keys tend to give me hand aches after a while.

 

[HLaB]

I've just used the multiple ring type (if thats what its called) untill now; I lost it recently and went to the lbs for a new one, they didn't sell them so pointed me to hellfrauds, so I think its a bike hut one I've got and it turns spokes a lot better holding the full length of the nipple so hopefully wont round them.

 

[antnee]

Thanks for your advice both I never thought of Sheldon's site. Or simple our friend google Must be old age setting in! and perhaps starting on an old wheel first must be a good Idea.

 

[Smurfy]

1. Get hold of a vernier gauge.
2. Measure the nipple across the flats.
3. Find someone selling the correct size.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoke_wrench#Sizes

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tools-wheel-build-dept826_pg1/

I prefer spoke keys that have only one size on the tool, rather than those with multiple sizes on one tool. Using the spoke key is a start-stop job, and it saves a lot of time when you don't repeatedly try to engage the wrong size in between checking the wheel for trueness.

 

[antnee]

Yes thanks very, much thats about what I did though got a multi one. But can see the perfect sense of the single size one (now I've laterly trued my wheel) Though now see that to true for flat spots I really need a truing stand as can't see an easier way round that problem It is perhaps the most difficult part of bike maintance; well for me as requires a certain level of

Patience that I find I’m running short of the older I get so unless I make my own truing stand I see they don't come cheap!

 

[Old Plodder]

If you have caliper brakes use them, that's how I built my first wheel. Just put a pencil or similar across the brake blocks to get the 'roundness'.
(Tyre & tube removed, of course. )

 

[antnee]

Been away Sulking because of none stop rain and wind (Got the winter blues already) But I think your idea using the brake blocks and a pencil is a great one I did manage to get rid of the side to side buckle so now I can check for roundness. Thanks

 

[mrandmrspoves]

A pencil as suggested or even a large cable tie wrapped around the front forks will do it. Although for pure pose value and better accuracy a truing stand is a good investment.