[Closed] Park Tools Truing Stand TS2 and alignment? Or is there better?

The stands are calibrated at the factory, I've stood there and watched the guy do it. Trouble is that by the they've been half way around the world and dropped by half a dozen couriers odds are they won't be spot on by the time they reach the consumer which is why park recommend getting them calibrated on purchase.

All the gauge does is replicate a perfectly dished wheel, so if you have one you know is spot on you can use that for initial set-up. Alternatively, buy the stand from your local bike shop and ask them to calibrate it before you are it away.

Unless they're dropped or bashed the TS-2's rarely need realigning so as long as it's set up when you collect it it should be air whle before your OH has to worry about it again.

Oh, and so long as you use a correctly aligned self-centering stand such as a TS-2 as dishing tool such as the WAG is nice but not essential unless you're building weird asymetric wheels.

Park now makes a TS-2.2P that is painted blue instead of being chrome plated, so its cheaper. Its supposed to be exactly the same otherwise.

The plastic base (TSB-2) is nice, but not necessary. I have one (came with my stand from Craigslist) but the LBS doesn't have one on theirs. And they certainly use theirs a lot more that I use mine. 😉

The centering gauge for the wheel truing stand is [url= http://www.parktool.com/product/centering-gauge-1554-1 ] the 1554-1[/url] They are expensive, and I highly doubt that there is any need for one for home use.

you don't need the base. Personaly I still like to check useing a dishing tool
But once set they are rather accurate

a dishing tool a ts2 and a selection of spoke keys is a cool gift for your fella and all he needs to get started.

trying to convince my OH that I need one of these for Xmas/birthday but she just wants to send my new LB rims to the LBS instead 🙁

I didn't realise the TS2.2P was out, was looking at the chrome one but realistically expecting to have to go for the On One version (I prefer the cheaper Park style one to the more expensive one with dial gauges).

But would much rather something by Park on my bench.

I'm using a TS2 at the moment. As long as it's not on a tilted surface, it's bottom heavy enough to work well without the base. If you've got a suitable bench, there are also a couple of holes in the bottom you could use to bolt it down.

I got [url= http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/xtreme-rundlauf-centering-gauge/aid:297837 ]this dishing tool[/url] from Rose Bikes, and while the TS2 would let you get away without it, it is handy being able to take a few readings really quickly from different parts of the wheel.

you don't nee the base

Maybe not, but if you're not using one, you'll have to clamp the stand in a vice, which isn't always practical.

I use them at work and at home.It's heavy enough not to use a base (and I can build wheels whilst sat on floor/in bed).Having learnt to build wheels 20+ years ago on a single sided home made stand I still only use one side of the gauges to true (and just flip the wheel to check dish).So no need for calibration tool.

I'm the same as Rorschah, use a TS2 but no calibration tools or base, You can clamp in a vice but I tend to just use it without. I don't rely on it being centred, just flip the wheel to check dish whilst building.

I think the Park calibration department are all either drunk or smoking something.

Once you get it aligned it's done and quite simple to do, don't get the alignment tool.

The base is nice as it allows a variable working angle, I just fixed mine to a bit of plywood with a wedge underneath.

The dishing gauge, in your link, is nice but overpriced for what it is, I think there are other cheaper options for that.

I prefer Spokeys for any wheel building work, the red and yellow will cover most wheels.

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