Opinions on a Keystone Rims modifications

[Nacho-RT74]

OK as you know I'm on an issue trying to rebuilt some keystones rims...

First... I discovered center of keystones are aluminium.
Second... Ring is iron.

after this, I discovered not anybody down here rechromes aluminum... and since are different materials what did use different treatment on rechrome job, would need to separate both pieces to make a really good job. I was thinking on that also to get wider Rings ( 7" instead 6" ).

but found another problem... NOBODY HERE WELD ALUMINUM OVER IRON, so if I remove weld stitch I won't be able to get joined again.

solution that gave me a welder on his shop... why don't use an aluminium ring instead the iron one ? is easier weld aluminium over aluminium and  he is able to find those aluminium rings... also gave me the idea about polish aluminium instead rechrome. I saw some polished aluminium used rims on his shop that he has for sale, AND THEY LOOK REALLY GREAT.

Rebuilt Rims is one of his bussines.

so I wish to hear opinions... replace the ring with aluminium and polish instead rechrome...

what do you think guys ?

[4402tuff4u]

Aluminum once you polish it looks very shiny. I polished all my aluminum trim on my Charger and it came out awesome!! So I would go for the aluminum. I've never heard of aluminum being welded to steel! I learn something new everyday. But now thinking about it, now I realize that some similar procees must be done to these steel kitchen pots and pans that have an aluminum bottom to transfer the heat better. That has to be an expensive process thou!! Did you price out that welding work to weld alum to steel? Would it be more cost effective to buy new rims? 

[69fuchs]

Are you talking about the keystone klassics?

If you look at the center very closely, you will see that the "spokes" have a small piece of steel cast into the aluminum.  That is how they weld the aluminum center to the steel rim.  If a person was very careful, it would be possible to cut the welds and reposition the center and re weld. 

I have not had any luck finding someone to do it for me either!!!

[Nacho-RT74]

yes Keystone Klassics

That has to be an expensive process thou!! Did you price out that welding work to weld alum to steel? Would it be more cost effective to buy new rims? 

-The first problem is not the cost of the weld job, is that IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO IT HERE no matter the cost.
-buy new Keystone Klassics rims... they are not available anymore down here, I would need to import. If we think they cost around $180 each Rim x 4, plus shipping, all Rims prices cost me around $950-1100... to much money I can't afford specially if by the moments I like and very happy with the stock and original from factory steel rims with deluxe hubcaps. I always wanted KK rims, thats why I'll change if I can with the ones I have.

I paid around $100 for all 4 Rims that need some job ( with center caps ). The problem is that at that moment I didn't know was imposible down here to do that job.

If you look at the center very closely, you will see that the "spokes" have a small piece of steel cast into the aluminum. 

WHERE THE HELL IS CASTING THE STEEL ? I cleaned completelly the Rims and didn't find nothing different to notice. Welded seam is just behind the spokes. is around 2 1/2" long( shorter than the spoke itself ) and I can't find nothing more than the back of spoke itself at the ends of spokes and weld seams.

[4402tuff4u]

yes Keystone Klassics

That has to be an expensive process thou!! Did you price out that welding work to weld alum to steel? Would it be more cost effective to buy new rims? 

-The first problem is not the cost of the weld job, is that IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DO IT HERE no matter the cost.
-buy new Keystone Klassics rims... they are not available anymore down here, I would need to import. If we think they cost around $180 each Rim x 4, plus shipping, all Rims prices cost me around $950-1100... to much money I can't afford specially if by the moments I like and very happy with the stock and original from factory steel rims with deluxe hubcaps. I always wanted KK rims, thats why I'll change if I can with the ones I have.

I paid around $100 for all 4 Rims that need some job ( with center caps ). The problem is that at that moment I didn't know was imposible down here to do that job.

If you look at the center very closely, you will see that the "spokes" have a small piece of steel cast into the aluminum. 

WHERE THE HELL IS CASTING THE STEEL ? I cleaned completelly the Rims and didn't find nothing different to notice. Welded seam is just behind the spokes. is around 2 1/2" long( shorter than the spoke itself ) and I can't find nothing more than the back of spoke itself at the ends of spokes and weld seams.

I'm not a steel or aluminum fabricator by any means, but I would think that trying to precisely cut and reweld a hub on a rim has to be very difficult. Remember this is a rim that has to be balanced in every axis!! I just don't see a standard weld shop, if you find one, to be able to precisely and accurately locate the center rotating axis without the proper aligning tools/instruments. Just a little to much weld bead on one side of the hub would throw the whole rim off balance.

I'm going to go out in the limb and say that the only way you will be able to accomplish something like what you are talking about will most likely have to be done by a machine that will apply a constant size and weight of weld bead as it rotates. How about the cutting? Again if you take to much out of one side, the hub will now be off center. It almost has to be done by a laser guided and rotating burning tip by a machine that is constantly checking the accuracy!

Maybe it's me....I'm not understanding what you are trying to accomplish, I just see it very difficult to properly cut and weld something precisely on a machine that is spinning very fast and has to be "dead -balls on" regarding accuracy. I agree with you, if you can save those rims I would do it too in a heartbeat!!

[John_Kunkel]

WHERE THE HELL IS CASTING THE STEEL ? I cleaned completelly the Rims and didn't find nothing different to notice. Welded seam is just behind the spokes. is around 2 1/2" long( shorter than the spoke itself ) and I can't find nothing more than the back of spoke itself at the ends of spokes and weld seams.

All two-piece wheels with aluminum alloy centers and steel rims have a chunk of steel cast right into the outer spoke; this is the only way to weld an aluminum center to a steel rim. Check the enclosed pic of a Cragar SS, the red outlines the steel insert cast into the spoke; a magnet will show where the aluminum ends and the steel begins.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Box your wheels up and send them to this place:   http://www.stocktonwheel.com/

[Nacho-RT74]

To box and send wheel I preffer buy new set in USA. Will be same cost.

About balancing wheels and everything else doing this job.. The guy knows about that, is HIS bussines.

I'll check closelly the weels to see some steel intser on center section, even I think there is nothing on them. I'll try to take pics.

[Nacho-RT74]

Ok I just checked closer the Rims ( again ) and confirmed there is not a steel insert on center spokes. The welding seam is directly between center spoke and steel ring... I'll try to get a pic ASAP

[69fuchs]

Ok I just checked closer the Rims ( again ) and confirmed there is not a steel insert on center spokes. The welding seam is directly between center spoke and steel ring... I'll try to get a pic ASAP

Even if you can't see it very well, the steel IS cast into the aluminum spoke.  Take a magnet to the spoke like John K. said.  You will find the cast in piece.

I will take a pic of my kestone klassics, and outline where the steel is cast in.  see attachment.