Advantages of Fiberglass Buggy Wheels | Engels Coach Shop

Fiberglass wheels have their time and place, depending on your needs and mindset. As a traditional wheelwright and wainwright, I only repair them on a limited basis. In this case, I need to convert these wheels from steel tires to hard rubber tires for an Amish family. Building and restoring horse drawn vehicles, as a traditional wheelwright, blacksmith, upholsterer, painter and striper, is my main vocation. Working on fiberglass wheels does not happen very often for me, except for the Amish.
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#wheelwright #blacksmiths #horsedrawn

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Not only are you preserving history by doing restoration and construction, you are documenting it. There is no way to put a value on that--it's priceless. Thank you Mr. Dave!

[@andremartel828]

I never get bored when you make wagon wheels. I never stop learning something new.

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

Be warned: you will never again watch a movie with a horse-drawn wagon without noticing the wheels.

[@d00dEEE]

Then when you watch various wagon rebuild playlists, you start looking for how the brake linkage is routed, and how the boot is held on, and the angle on the tongue, and ... it's a deep set of rabbit holes.

[@aserta]

True story. I wasn't able to watch a movie with a wooden style spoke wheel without a critical eye since i've been subbed to this channel.

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

@@aserta Takes one to know one. 😄

[@bboomer7th]

Thanks for the warning. Too late in my case.

[@lightweight1974]

My grandfather was born in 1893. Yeah, I'm kinda old. He was in the cavalry in WWI, but he never learned to drive a car. Up until the day he died in '56, he had buggies of various types. I have a photo of him from the late 40's in his buggy with what looks like Sarvin hubs on the wheels. When my uncle was wounded during the Korean war, my dad took Gramps and Gram to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital in his car to see uncle. Oh, dad was only 15 at the time. Different times. And yeah, my grandfather started his family late in life.

[@Tomhohenadel]

And Dave keeps wheeling along. Watch for any bumps in the road. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch

[@ron.v]

There aren't many channels where I automatically give the video a thumbs up before watching it. Yours was one, actually the first one. I've noticed that other subscribers of your channel do the same. We never expect and we never get a single disappointment because you're such a master at all you do from your many skills in the shop to your narration and videography. Thanks once more for making a fascinating video.

[@dianeengel4155]

Thank you.

[@jeffclark2725]

Well said , right along with you

[@ronboe6325]

Sounds like the Amish community needs to have some folks intern with you, learn the trade so someone local can take over once you turn off the power.

[@Metal-Possum]

You'd think the Amish would have passed this knowledge down over the years...

[@user-pf7dm5py3m]

Greetings from Croatia I love your works because they bring me back to the past. I take off my hat and a present to the ground. Now my story, if you can understand me. My mother's grandfather before and after the Second World War had horses known as posaws, carts, plows, etc. My father's grandfather had cows at the same time, and worked the land with them. My late father made parts for cars, ash and elm wood, so I know a lot of details in the making. I don't have a picture because everything was burned during the Homeland War. Sorry, this is a translation.

[@dianeengel4155]

Thank you.

[@lemontier]

I think that it is great to watch Dave then read the comments. Lots of good questions and lots of additional knowledge. So Dave, thanks for giving us a place to bring it all together.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

You are a Good Man for helping them even though it is a bit outside your normal work. Thank you for the lesson on fiberglass wheels.

[@Barnagh1]

Dave, your philosophy on being a wainwright reminds me of a close friend, who is a stone-mason. He only does traditional work, hand-dressed stone, lime mortar etc. He turns away millions-worth of work with faux concrete ‘stone’ and cement. He is getting older now, his body is getting worn out, so he has cut down to three days a week stone work and he only repairs old estate walls, castles, churches etc. on his days off, he restores old tractors He is still in huge demand. You and he would get along I think.

[@joeinthebush]

Thank you for taking care of my friends family... they respect me and I respect them.. They're my friends..We know each other's kiin and kids by name....🇨🇦 my respect for you just went up a notch...glad you're me kind of people . I have respect for you before...just a bit higher now Money isn't everything....Cheers..

[@johndii2194]

I find it interesting that the Amish use Fiberglass Wheels. I didn't know there are Fiberglass Wheels for wagons.

[@chrisallen2005]

I find it interesting how they selectively adopt technology. I am guessing that they can use the wheels because they themselves do not make them. I met a van load of Amish once in Montana who were on vacation doing a road trip. Because they hired a non-Amish driver they could vacation with the van. Weird to my thinking.

[@mikenewman4078]

Thanks again Dave for putting together this body of reference work. It must have been stressful when those hackers got in a couple of years back. I hope that the Library of Congress and / or Smithsonian contact you about data preservation.

[@guysmith1946]

Hi Dave, I do understand your feelings about the redundancy of doing the same job over and over and over again. However… You are such an amazing Craftsman, that I love to go back and watch you build/ repair wheels!!! Thank you for the Awesome videos that you have provided for us to view!!! God Bless

[@ptonpc]

It makes sense for the Amish to embrace newer tech when it comes to safety and reliability.

[@bobm6016]

Thanks for posting. We appreciate all the content you upload.

[@EXARCWithGrandpop]

Thanks again for making these videos. I would hate to see this trade lost to history.

[@ArchEdge]

Thanks Dave - Just wanted to let you know, i found your videos during COVID lockdowns, and got hooked, to the point, that i made my own wagon wheel out of timber, then made a ring-roller to get the metal tire for it. Thanks for your great videos - Much appreciated.

[@billschmitzer9159]

Thanks again Dave for an interesting video with interesting facts. You’re a good teacher, easy to understand and to the point.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks Dave for the reminder that you have this in your videos that are available to go back and watch often. It's a nice way to review something . Stay safe and keep up the good work. Fred.

[@kennethrand4877]

Dave, weather your working on wheels or mending fence I still enjoy watching you.

[@strokerace5468]

The knowledge you possess on this stuff is amazing

[@1crazypj]

Well, that was something I never expected to see on your channel. Been watching for a few years and find the traditional things you do fascinating even though it's doubtful I will ever need them.

[@glencrandall7051]

Excellent discussion of fiberglass wheels. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@Vic1943_]

thanks Mr Engel for sharing blessings to you and your family stay safe out there 👍

[@flyingweed9671]

Absolutely fascinating. I enjoy watching and learning. I have just refurbished some old original wagon wheels which will be repurposed for a cannon carriage.

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I was unaware that there were fiberglass wheels. I appreciate this video adding to my knowledge.

[@robertrobert7924]

I once had a neighbor who was a Doctor in the German Army, then joined the US Army upon surrender in WW2. He served in every front the Germans were in. He told me that when they invaded Poland, the Horse Artillery had cannon wheels that were made of cast Aluminum.

[@user-neo71665]

I have no clue where they came from (neither did my grandpa) but he had some cast aluminum spoked wheels. He got them before I was born and couldn't remember where when I asked. They were 3 foot across and he used them to make a 2 wheel cart for a donkey. They looked just like these fiberglass wheels.

[@billybobholcomb8768]

I learn so much each time In watch a video from this series. I feel that I've cheated some one the cost of tuition

[@jasonharper2601]

long-time subscriber. I really enjoy your videos. I am a woodworker and have learned much. thank you

[@billflynn818]

and another very interesting video! Thank you for your time.

[@D989501L]

Morning Dave and Diane, I can't imagine after watching you for the past few years that you won't be doing anymore Wheels ? It's nice to see that you still do work for the Amish, do you ever have to work on there carriages? Regards to you both Richard 🇬🇧

[@dianeengel4155]

He hasn't yet.

[@D989501L]

@@dianeengel4155 oh well, I will have to wait and see. Thank you. Nearly strawberry time here, another few weeks. Hope yours are doing well. Regards Richard

[@dianeengel4155]

I picked about 2/3 of a gallon last week. About 2 liters?

[@D989501L]

@@dianeengel4155 ours are just starting to fill out, strange weather over here at the moment. It rained non stop it seemed since Christmas now it's 90 deg plus and doesn't seem like letting up any time soon. Looking forward to the strawberries though. Wishing you both a great weekend. Regards Richard

[@chrisbartrum3201]

Really interesting modern technology given an experienced voice make it all the more compelling. It would be something to see you building a 21st century buggy with the most up to date material as long as wood and steel remain the key components. Thank you both.

[@johnbarker6703]

So much information to absorb that my head hurts now. Absolutely amazed at the knowledge and respect for passing it on.

[@smitm108]

As always, intriguing subject matter, masterfully presented . . .

[@sdrailfan892]

Another great video to expand on a different wheel type. Thanks Dave

[@marlobreding7402]

I remember visiting a Hutterite Village near Kevin MT. back in the late 1950s.

[@bobafetting6373]

That welding corner of your shop looks so clean and tidy in this opening shot. Not that it’s ‘messy’ other times, but this looks so organised whilst useable.

[@marlinbontrager]

Most Amish buggies here in northern Indiana still use wooden wheels the fiberglass wheels never really took off much but a lot of people are going to flush hubs now

[@tonyn3123]

Excellent video. Your explanation of the differences in wheel construction is very interesting to me, even though I am not a wheelwright. I have always preferred to be in the weeds on any subjects that interested me. Thanks.

[@toddb9313]

Personally I like wheel creation. Hopefully you do some more different types over time.

[@ermelindowenceslauqueiroz8894]

Hi Diane, beckoning from Brazil.

[@kotovsk66]

Thank you, Mister! I love watching you.! Crimea. Ukraine.

[@garycornelisse9228]

Very interesting. I live in central Pennsylvania. And we have many Amish in the area and very often encounter Amish buggys on the road. I have been aware for several years now that the buggys are constructed of fiberglass and was initially surprised at that. Now I am surprised that the wheels are also constructed of fiberglass and the buggys have hydraulic brakes. All of this is more "modern" than I expected before I moved to central PA. Even more modern is that occasionally one will see one of those buggys with a kayak strapped on top. 😅

[@user-cq2wk2qo4y]

Great 16 minute video... but I'd have stayed for 16 more minutes to watch you mount the rims and wheels. :-)

[@kennyp1448]

Very curious as how the heated tire affects fiberglass, any tricks required?

[@mayforddavis9291]

Thank you Dave and Mrs. Engels. God Bless.

[@bruceyoung1343]

Very enjoyable. Thank You sir.

[@Tammy-un3ql]

always a pleasure to watch

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks Dave. Very informative

[@samuelspencer9194]

Love your videos be safe and have a great day Sam

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video,always enjoy being welcomed along with your daily activities, thank you very much

[@flywayhome8903]

Once again thanks for the video .

[@davidbishop4015]

Very interesting Dave. So many aspects to consider when rebuilding a wheel. I've enjoyed watching you work on different wheels. Stay safe.

[@orwellfarm]

velmi zajímavé povídání o materiálu. Díky

[@patrickradcliffe3837]

11:00 I disagree with you here Dave. The rubber is installed as anti-chaffing to protect the fiberglass from being abraded by the steel wheel. That steel will act like sandpaper on the fiberglass resin. Any shock absorption is gonna be incidental. Working in the aerospace community when fiberglass panels were placed on metal structure it had a rubber gasket to prevent it chaffing on the metal.

[@1crazypj]

Interesting point, I wondered about steel bolted to fiberglass in a high vibration area.

[@sewasewa6585]

I have a feeling that rubber between hte steel rim and fibreglass wheel does a few contributions to accommodate the differences between the materials.,like the shock but also thermal expansion, so even though there is going to be rubber outside I would probabaly think to keep the rubber on the inside. Also while using fibreglass then stainless steel bolts would go better? This is from a couch potatoe .😢

[@davidhull6359]

@@sewasewa6585 I would also expect the rubber layer to accommodate the difference in CTE between the steel and the glass. It wouldn't matter if the wheels stayed at the same temperature, but if tensioned at shop temperature, the stresses will go up considerably when it sits out in the hot sunshine. We used a rubber gasket between a kevlar or glass layer and a metallic underlying structure on some airframe applications.

[@milt7348]

Have fun and we'll see you next time.

[@MikeWilliams-yp9kl]

Thanks for the video Diane and Dave , I love the wood wheels better . ❤

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Always interesting and educational.

[@mfreund15448]

Thanks Dave!!

[@haroldotadeubalieros8190]

Eu assisto seus vídeos acho todos eles maravilhosos . Mais o que me prende mais atenção são as rodas .Seu trabalho com elas é simplesmente fantástico .Ainda não vi alguém trabalhar com rodas de carroças , tão bem como você .Meus parabéns mais uma vez pelo excelente trabalho . 🎉🐈🇧🇷

[@patmancrowley8509]

Thanks again!

[@93Martin]

On wooden wheels, we've seen the channels heated up with OXY torches to expand them for installation. Will these fit loose enough that they don't need to be heated? Are they just not heated up quite as much to not affect the structure of the fiberglass? I agree that the subject of wheels has been pretty well explored on your channel, but I wonder if we're missing some of the details here. Love your Channel, Dave!

[@dianeengel4155]

They are just not heated up as hot.

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Dave

[@mechanoid5739]

Wait! I wanted to see how Dave shrunk a tyre onto a fiberglass wheel without destroying the fiberglass!

[@geneard639]

I never thought of wheels drying out. Looking at the historical perspective? It explains why so many Easterners had so many problems going west...

[@mitchp350]

The dowel type things that were in each spoke, were probably to start the molding process. I am not sure if the entire wheel was actually molded, but the process of making anything fiberglass, involves resin, and a fiberglass cloth, or strands, and when they harden, can be as hard and tough as steel. Depending on the cloth used and amount of layers. I am assuming they are started by hand laying the layers(thus the dowels), and then placed in a mold and poured with a mixture of shredded cloth and resin. Then finished with a grinder to smooth the surface.

[@mitchp350]

@Kelly Harbeson Ahh That is something that is possible.

[@michaelbondick575]

Very interesting 🤓👍

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@jerrycutright3267]

Thanks for the explanation on pros and cons of fiberglass vs wood wheels. Would have been interesting to see you put the hot iron on the fiberglass wheel 😅

[@cyrilhudak4568]

I see, said the blind carpenter as he picked up his hammer and saw.

[@victormiranda9163]

I have assumed you kept the wagon work going and didn't make vids for what is more of the same work. keep rolling !

[@duanelundgren7985]

Ahem! I might guess someone will get into CARBON FIBER wheels.. perhaps even hollow core assemblies... light as a feather and strong like iron... But I know nothing of that new technology.!! Thanks Dave & Diane!!

[@richardthornhill4630]

Well that explains fiberglass wheels and the differences.

[@Pushyhog]

early an watching my favorite 1800's transportation vehicles

[@egdiryellam68]

Another very interesting video ---------- when you mentioned bolts rusting my first thought are why isn't a non-ferrous material being used

[@tomswindler64]

Great video as always.very informative and educational.keep doing what your doing.kudos 😎😎😎👍👍👍

[@dianeengel4155]

Thank you.

[@mfreund15448]

I liked the wooden car wheels!

[@Mmmyess]

I appreciate your commitment to tradition AND your lack of interest in doing more wheels (I'm sure wheels get exhausting and boring after so many years). So my question is this: Have you succeeded in inspiring others...younger people, one would hope...to carry on the wheelwright tradition?

[@bryanluhning6346]

I was curious about actually setting the channel, do you heat and shrink like a wooden wheel? Seems like it would melt the fiberglass resin.

[@lint2023]

That was what I was curious about, also..

[@redrockplumber5124]

Same.

[@clintbonnett3449]

Dave, when you say you're not doing wheels anymore does that mean you are no longer building or repairing them or just not posting videos of them? Watching you build and repair them was the reason I subscribed to your channel years ago.

[@dianeengel4155]

He's not building or repairing them .

[@Gena_1309]

Спасибо.

[@TheLocheil]

Whilst you must have plenty of variety in American horse drawn vehicles and wheels, I wonder if you have ever investigated the diverse range of English county horse drawn farm wagons. There is a huge range of different types and styles typically designed for the particular peculiarities of the local farming industry.

[@wilde1909]

That was an interesting video. How and why the Amish adapt current technology to their mode of transportation.

[@johncollins719]

I know of an Amish fellow in PA that owns a diesel pickup and a gas powered portable sawmill. The Amish are ok with it, but he cannot bring them on his home property. Both stay at Hearne Hardwoods where he works as a sawyer during the week. He commutes in a buggy.

[@MrKotBonifacy]

Two thoughts after watching this video: 1. How about using some epoxy adhesive (epoxy is stronger than polyester resin) to assure "good contact" between the rim and the wheel? In addition to "shrink setting", that is - and 2. It's kinda amusing to see Amish people, with all their "traditionalist" approach to actually embrace polyester resin-fiberglass wheels. Still, an aluminium cast wheel would probably be just as good, much lighter, and... "Greetings, neighbour! Wanna see my new alloy rims on my cart?" ;-)

[@LTVoyager]

I wonder if those spokes might have full length aluminum rods to provide more ductility to the fiberglass spokes in the case of a crash. Fiberglass tends to fail in a brittle mode and that can be bad in some circumstances.

[@walterulasinksi7031]

Dave, having watched most of your videos regarding wheels. I have been trying to correlate them to the making if Egyptian chariot wheel making. As depicted in the NAoVA on “ Building Pharaoh’s Chariot” instead of letting the spokes into the wheels, they created bent half spokes and glued them together and onto the carved hubs then drilled the fellows for the spokes. While this is unique , it also had me considering, what type of tires they would have used? So far all I can think of would be rawhide strips , braided into a complete tire circle tightly on the fellows and allowed to dry to tighten the spokes even more as you would with a steel tire or a channel for rubber tires. Have you any thoughts in this subject?

[@Garth2011]

I can see thier desires for the newer more modern brakes and wheels because they do most of tehir travels on hard pavement and gravel. So, it make a lot of sense yet they still get to be the practicle folks they are. Also, this is their main means of travel so reliability and function is king. Lets set some tires !

[@johncollins719]

Drum brakes are standard (In the Lancaster PA area anyway) on new buggies. I think they may be required for use on the road. They also have battery powered rear marker lights.

[@cyrilhudak4568]

The harness may not have britchen for these light buggies.

[@harveypost1841]

Like a fishing pole it bends to a absorb tension ..

[@markhgillett]

Dave, this maybe more than is necessary but could you use an end mill cutter in your drill press to remove the screws. Refill with epoxy then install new screws?

[@bigbossimmotal]

I do not know the name of the system, but I saw a fiberglass guy spraying with a gun that chewed up fiberglass strand, mixed it with resin, and blew it onto the mold. The finished product looked exactly like those wheel edges, a lot like particle board. I don't even remember what he was making, but he went thru a full gallon of resin mixed in about 20 minutes.

[@jillatherton4660]

👍

[@SingleStacked]

Does the fiberglass melt/burn when the hot channel is fitted over it?

[@massoud999]

In archaeology we learned about the wheels of war chariots of the biblical times in our area. About 3000 years have passed and in principle they are made like the ones you make. They had to be flexible to enable the archers to shoot while standing on the fast-moving chariots. There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9.

[@juancarloscasabuono6651]

There is a market for everything in the USA.

[@christopherlatham4254]

When you put the channels on fiberglass wheels is there any issue with the heated upp steel tending to melt the resin of the fiberglass?

[@58Tommy]

Do you take extra care when putting the hot wheel onto the fiberglass ?

[@rexgrant3297]

Hi Dave, This was an interesting addition to your video library. My question is when you heat shrink the channel iron to the fiberglass wheel, how does the resin react to the high heat? Does it soften the resin in any way? What problems are created?

[@dianeengel4155]

I don't think there are any problems. He doesn't he's the tire as hot as for wooden wheels.

[@rbhusana]

I wonder what happens when you put the hot metal channel onto the fiberglass. Does it burn and it must smell pretty bad.

[@carl4323]

To heat the rusted bolt in the wheel, take a good 12 volt battery and a pair of heavy duty jumper cables with copper clamps. Then touch one clamp of the cables to the inside and one end to the outside of the fellow. You can heat the bolt as hot as you want. Heating will cause the rust to break down and loosen the bolt. Just an idea, I am not sure if it would work.

[@aserta]

Probably wouldn't do much, but there are these bolt looseners you can buy that use a coil (they come with multiple coils) to heat through induction. I've used one for some time now and it's a much better alternative than fire. Very fast, like 10 seconds from dead cold to red hot, and if you spray it at peak temp with some paraffin oil... that thing will loosen. Bonus points, you can put down the coil doodad, and quickly pick up a tool to remove the nut or bolt, without fear of burning something.

[@emmengel]

How well do the fiberglass Wheels hold up to the extreme cold?