Uncompatible Systems

For the record, it is possible to use a 32 hole hub laced to a 36 hole rim. It is by no means recommended, though it will be a wheel and it will roll. The secret lies in skipping 1 hole for every 8 on the trailing spokes and lining up the leading spokes normally, so they are one hole away from the trailing on the same side of the flange. I followed this pattern and was still able to use Sheldon Brown’s wheel building page as an accurate reference, despite the mismatch.