Disassembling a wheel

The former. Really can't see why you'd do the latter, if your goal is to completely take the wheel apart.

I wind off a bit on each spoke. Probably a turn or more.

Last time, I used a pair of good wire cutters and cut the spokes working around the wheel - but that was to extract the hub. Satisfying few minutes of destruction.

Sounds like you're planning on reusing the spokes though 🙂

Even if you're planning to reuse the spokes I would humbly suggest yuo use fresh nipples for a full rebuild to reduce the chances of trouble down the line.

I'd just wind them fully off, and then use fresh nipples for the rebuild.

Last time, I used a pair of good wire cutters and cut the spokes working around the wheel – but that was to extract the hub. Satisfying few minutes of destruction.

Sounds like you’re planning on reusing the spokes though 🙂

^ this. Unless I was reusing the spokes or only swapping the rim, I just cut them out. Quicker as well as satisfying. Like hatter I'd suggest using fresh nipples for any rebuild.

If I was reusing the spokes, I tend to unwind each one a turn or so before going around again and completely unwinding the nipples.

If I'm replacing a rim, using the same spokes, then I loosely zip-tie the two rims together and move the spokes over one at a time.

One or two full turns at a time, going round the rim, i.e. not taking all the tension off one spoke at a time.
Have found that if you go further (especially with low spoke count/high tension builds) you can end up with a bent/oval rim.

If you use the cutting spokes method, be very careful where the nipple end of the spoke is pointing. Did it once and it went off like a gun. Won’t be making that mistake again….

Even if you’re planning to reuse the spokes I would humbly suggest yuo use fresh nipples for a full rebuild to reduce the chances of trouble down the line.

Yep, nipples don't seem to last for more than one use

If it's just the hub I'm saving then screwdriver bit on a drill and wizz them off.

[cue an argument over whether the spoke should 'fill' the nipple]

If I'm rebuilding in some other way (new hub, or new spokes, etc) then I tend to do them a turn at a time until it's slack (usually only a couple of turns anyway) as I'm slightly concerned about the rim getting warped or spokes stretching. Probably over cautious but it only takes a few minutes to strip the wheel regardless.

Wheelbuilder told me a 1/2 turn each and work your way around till eventually all completely loosened off.
Not being a wheelbuilder, I'll go with his recommendation as he is the expert.

I think its in case too much off in a row causes the rim to deform, making rebuilding more time consuming or difficult- or something like that.

If you use the cutting spokes method, be very careful where the nipple end of the spoke is pointing. Did it once and it went off like a gun.

Exactly. Point them at your neighbour's house, not your own.

I think its in case too much off in a row causes the rim to deform, making rebuilding more time consuming or difficult- or something like that.

That's one reason. Every spoke you remove (or cut) puts the adjacent spokes under more tension. If they're already damaged then there's a chance one of them could snap, causing an injury. It also means it's more difficult to loosen the adjacent nipple.

cue an argument over whether the spoke should ‘fill’ the nipple

I have two tools for this, a spoke winder (with the little nub) and a slotted bit for my drill so i can whizz nipples out (on rims i'm replacing).

Wheelbuilder told me a 1/2 turn each and work your way around till eventually all completely loosened off.
Not being a wheelbuilder, I’ll go with his recommendation as he is the expert.

I'm also an (ex) wheelbuilder, but only do my own and close friends wheels these days though.
1/2 a turn is probably what you need for a sub 350 gram tubular rim built radial or 1x.

Anything modern a turn or more will be fine.

One or two full turns at a time, going round the rim, i.e. not taking all the tension off one spoke at a time.
Have found that if you go further (especially with low spoke count/high tension builds) you can end up with a bent/oval rim.

Yes, that was exactly my concern. When building, you work your way round the wheel incrementally tightening the spokes as required, rather than just winding the first up as far as it will go. So my thinking was the disassembly would be the same process but in reverse.

If it's coming all the way apart and I'm not reusing the spokes (ie I'm not just re-rimming a wheel) then that's a job for the park tools cable cutters, which are piss-all use at cutting cables but really pretty good at cutting spokes.

Uneven tension shouldn't hurt a rim worth owning, and tbh 9/10 times if you dismantle a wheel you're replacing hte rim anyway, but if you're worried then just spread out the cut spokes ie go more or less side to side. Any sort of rim tape is enough to stop the spokes pinging out so just leave that on til you've done a few