Making the Wheels

Making the Wheels starts with a good supply of straight grained, well seasoned Ash cut and planed to the required component sizes. It continues with a series of further cuts and forming operations, often using custom made jigs to make some of the components.

The rim segments are cut to shape using a custom made jig to ensure uniformity, and then precision shaped on the sander as shown. Each segment is successively glue laminated and pinned to the next in a forming jig, until the final segments are joined to complete the circular rim. Once the glue is fully dry the rim undergoes further sanding and shaping to remove surplus glue and irregularities, and finally is drilled to receive and locate the desired number of spokes for the assembly.

Each spoke is marked and centred on the lathe and then turned with a roughing chisel to the desired shape. The rough shape is successively turned by using different chisels and finally sanding paper until a smooth finish is achieved. The end connecting to the rim is precision tapered for a good fit.

Shaping the hubs begins with roughly sawing the piece of Ash to an octagonal shape, and then fixing this to the turning plate on the lathe. The piece of wood is first bored with the axle hole using the lathe drill chuck. Next the octagon is turned to a rough round shape, and then the relief patterning roughed out. This is then successively smoothed as with the spoke, with dimensional checking taking place to ensure uniformity of each hub.

When the individual components are ready, the custom made assembly jig is put to use. The jig is designed to hold each piece of the wheel in its correct place as the wheel is successively put together with pins, dowels and glue. Once completed the wheel is carefully removed from the jig and left until the glue is dry.

Product Care & Conditions

Product Care - the clear treated quality Ash hardwood used to make the wooden wagon wheel products will last many years outside with no further attention, and will slowly tend to go grey as time goes by. It will tend to go grey faster outside than inside. If you like the sound of this appearance then position your wheels and do no more (except hopefully take a picture and send it to us for inclusion in the photo gallery section on the Information page).

If you wish to preserve the pristine look of the new wheel choose a clear surface treatment suited to the conditions of use. If you choose to paint, stain, varnish, wax or apply another surface treatment or colouring to your wagon wheel products, you will be helping the product to last longer. Re-applying your chosen surface treatment at regular intervals will also prolong the product's life, especially when placed outside. We suggest that you consider the surroundings that you will place it in, not forgetting the possibility of future changes, and choose a surface treatment to complement the surroundings.

We would recommend the use of a good quality water based product care where possible, as this is environmentally friendly and generally dries quickly. Do remember to select a product care suited to the location.

Product Information Sheets

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Conditions of sale - we have listed below some conditions to help you avoid damaging the products, as we would not like you to experience any disappointment from your purchase. Information on our conditions will be delivered with your order.

• for decorative and ornamental use only
• do not apply heavy external or moving axle loads to wheels
• products are not suitable for immersion in any liquid
• do not subject products to constant or cyclic wetting other than natural rain
• do not bury any part of the products in a moisture retaining medium as it will rot and discolour