../.. The Typ356 second tech session of 2010 gathered in Waltham MA on Saturday Feb 20th for a tour of Waltham’s Rim and Wheel Works.<br><br> Established in 1992 and owned by Ina Ames, they straighten, true, balance and refinish all manner of wheels both old and new. Ina was our guide and led us on a visit to each station at their plant explaining how the work was done. We watched modern alloys being heated and bent back into like new condition, in many cases without any refinish work needed. It was quite an art.<br><br> Ina was our tour director for the day having done this trip with many car clubs in the past. There were discussions about run flat tires (not her favorite), tire pressure sensors (a good idea) and what constitutes the best winter tire available for your application (you’ll have to ask her).<br><br> This company caters to car enthusiasts of all types and we were able to see a large display of rims from many different types of motorsports. Even motorcycles bend rims on Boston streets, what a surprise!<br><br> Ina is a contributor to the Boston chapter of the BMW Club monthly newsletter and has volunteered to look over our shoulder now and then to give us tire and wheel advice. Sounds like a great resource no matter what the age of your ride.<br><br> Members enjoyed the morning and walked away with a new found respect for the wheels on all their cars, both vintage and modern. One member even left a 50 year old steel rim behind so that Ina and her crew could work their magic and save it. I’m sure that it is great hands.<br><br> All in all a great visit to a terrific company that we can use in the future as the need arises. <br><br>KTF<br><br> Tom Tate slides/IMG_4173.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Rim & Wheel Works building##Ralph Hadley Rim & Wheel Works building##Ralph Hadley IMG_4173.JPG slides/IMG_4174.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Coffee and donuts to get the Tech Session started##Ralph Hadley Coffee and donuts to get the Tech Session started##Ralph Hadley IMG_4174.JPG slides/100_1368.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 ##Tom Gentz ##Tom Gentz 100_1368.jpg slides/100_1369.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 ##Tom Gentz ##Tom Gentz 100_1369.jpg slides/100_1370.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 ##Tom Gentz ##Tom Gentz 100_1370.jpg slides/100_1371.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Members having coffee before the tour began##Tom Gentz Members having coffee before the tour began##Tom Gentz 100_1371.jpg slides/100_1373.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Bob DiCorpo, Tom Coughlin , Tom Tate, and Ina having a good laugh##Tom Gentz Bob DiCorpo, Tom Coughlin , Tom Tate, and Ina having a good laugh##Tom Gentz 100_1373.jpg slides/100_1381.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Ina showing a wheel they had restored##Tom Gentz Ina showing a wheel they had restored##Tom Gentz 100_1381.jpg slides/100_1382.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Ina discussing a wheel cleaner that she sells##Tom Gentz Ina discussing a wheel cleaner that she sells##Tom Gentz 100_1382.jpg slides/IMG_4175.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Wheel assortment and storage##Ralph Hadley Wheel assortment and storage##Ralph Hadley IMG_4175.JPG slides/IMG_4178.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 ##Ralph Hadley ##Ralph Hadley IMG_4178.JPG slides/IMG_4179.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Ina at the wheel and tire balancing machine##Ralph Hadley Ina at the wheel and tire balancing machine##Ralph Hadley IMG_4179.JPG slides/IMG_4180.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 A Wheel being heated before being straightened##Ralph Hadley A Wheel being heated before being straightened##Ralph Hadley IMG_4180.JPG slides/IMG_4181.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Motorcycle wheel on an apparatus being checked for straightness##Ralph Hadley Motorcycle wheel on an apparatus being checked for straightness##Ralph Hadley IMG_4181.JPG slides/IMG_4184.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Very attentive members listening to Ina's lecture##Ralph Hadley Very attentive members listening to Ina's lecture##Ralph Hadley IMG_4184.JPG slides/IMG_4188.html Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Jalbum 8.0 Ina Ames and Tech Chairman Tom Tate##Ralph Hadley Ina Ames and Tech Chairman Tom Tate##Ralph Hadley IMG_4188.JPG