Wes,
I have now read this whole post, and what a fascinating thing to build. Is there nothing your talents won't try?
Fantastic work.
BTW, I noticed earlier on in the post about cutting threads for the spokes.
Actually, I have in my possession two original spoke thread rolling machines.




I purchased them for one pound each off a car boot sale. Having offered them to a museum, and had the reply that they already have enough of them, I decided to keep them, hoping I could find a use for the castings and handwheels.
It is such a shame you are on a different continent, you could have had them with my pleasure, only the cost of shipping to you would be horrendous.
Ah well!, that is life.
Keep up the great work
John
BTW, Rob, if you want these two, they are yours. Pick them up whenever you are near enough.