Casting The First Ranalah! What Could Go Wrong?! | Reviving History (Episode #7)

It's finally time to head back to the foundry and cast the first frame for the Ranalah wheeling machines! But will the pattern work? Is it the same size as the original wheeling machine? Will I be able to fulfil my dreams of bringing this unique design back to life?!
Thanks so much to everybody who has helped me along the way. Chris & the gang at East Coast Casting; Mike & his sons at MJY Patterns; Paul at Modular105Motor. Not to mention, Anthony, the inspiration gentleman who gave me my first reclaimed Ranalah.
And thank you for following me on this journey. As the proud owner of Ranalah Limited, I hope you've been entertained, educated, and inspired!
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What on earth is a 'wheeling machine'? • The English Wheel
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LINKS:
www.dominicchinea.com
Dom's Instagram: / dominicchinea
Ranalah Ltd's Instagram: / ranalahltd​​
Foundry: / eastcoastcasting.co.uk
Filmed & Edited by Dan Cross: / djcross87

[@lewisp3954]

thank god for people like you how many pieces of amazing machinery got scrapped over the years ,you kept a name alive cant wait to see it working.

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks so much!

[@lewisp3954]

@@DominicChineas feel proud my friend.

[@peterh48]

Who says we cannot make things any more in this country, what an amazing bunch of skilled people you found to make this. Also a great film well done.

[@DavePawson]

"Honestly, I did not sleep a wink last night" 🙂 Enthusiastic or what! Your enthusiasm is infectious!

[@ianwatson9096]

When I was a small boy, I used to go into work with my dad on Saturday mornings and watch him and a colleague use one of these to hand-shape the wings for Massey Ferguson tractors. It was a small panel beating shop in Coventry called Stan Taylors. It had an outside (literally outside) toilet and while standing there you overlooked Coventry City's football pitch! Brought back all those memories. Thanks Dom.

[@conwaynoel3715]

I have to say that the camera work and post production is absolutely brilliant . The story could no t have been told otherwise. Well done .

[@andypandy955]

What a fantastic company East Coast Castings it just warms the heart all is not lost and as for you Dom I cried when I saw the casting beautiful mate beautiful. I bow to your tenacity. This just gives me massive faith we can still do it. I can't wait to see the finished machine. Massive thumbs up.

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks so much!! It’s been such an amazing journey so far, I’m glad you have enjoyed it too, thank you!

[@andypandy955]

@@DominicChineas Your a doer not just a talker that is the magic for me. Just keep on doing. One day real craftsman will be patting your machines with the love they deserve and making beautiful things.

[@nickhale2900]

Wow Dom, congratulations on the birth of your baby, it was like a phoenix rising from the ashes when it came out of the smouldering sand. That Chris is a real top bloke, so accommodating and so friendly, it is heartening to see that we still have industries like that around on these shores!

[@eastcoastcastings]

Thank You for your kind words. Rgds, Chris

[@threeriversforge1997]

That was awesome to watch. You could see the casting crew was real proud to be bringing back a bit of English heritage! As a blacksmith, I really appreciate the old tools and the guys that used them to make the world we see around us today. I'd absolutely buy a NEW Ranalah if I had the money. I don't have much use for one, but it'd be a huge honor just to play a small part in helping bring them back into use so they're around for the next hundred years. Folks, tend your garden well. The original Ranalah disappeared from the world because people kept opting for cheaper and cheaper while also wanting paid more and more. Taxes, regulations, fees and all the reams of paperwork.... it kills small businesses more than you can ever know if you haven't tried to run a small business. Tend your garden well. The Ranalah, like the phoenix, has risen from the ashes, but can we keep it going? Will there be customers enough that they can cast ten or twenty of them every year, or every month? Or will you decide to buy cheap chicom products? Tend your garden, folks.

[@eastcoastcastings]

Thank You from Us’ & fine words 👍🏻

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@eastcoastcastings Real pleasure to watch you and your crew work. You brought a little bit of British history back to life, and I hope this is only the beginning.

[@WeeShoeyDugless]

Let's hope all of the team involved from start to finish flourish from this piece of history. It was quite emotional watching the process and, seeing the final product come out the mould, well, it was like childbirth👍👍👍

[@izirins]

Lovely to see Dom on the receiving end of the "reveal table". Inspiring video!

[@lesfirth2539]

I am an old git. My grandad was a moulder in a foundry. My Dad (before I was born) was a planning machine operator at the GNER loco works in Doncaster. As a child time was not governed by a clock but by the buzzer at Beyer Peacock loco works in Manchester .I was an apprentice at Ferranti Ltd. Engineering is in my blood. A mates dad had a one man band car bodyshop and I saw him making a new bonnet for an Aston martin DB4 using an English wheel. ( He tried to order a new one but was told that they were all different!) I thought all the engineering skills we had in this country had been lost. It brought a tear to my eye to see that just a little bit still survives.

[@eastcoastcastings]

🇬🇧💪🏼👍🏻

[@neilshep50]

Well worth half an hour of BBC1s' schedule. Brilliant on every level.

[@antrog1895]

In the olden days the BBC made films like this. Surely it would be watched by alot of people with Doms popularity.

[@aussiemorons3515]

As a patternmaker I would like to say that Dom has perfectly captured feeling I get when they knock one of my jobs out of the mould. Men cannot have babies, but being a patternmaker is close. Greetings from Australia.

[@DominicChineas]

I can really appreciate how difficult your job is now!

[@borisjohnson1944]

I thought the same when they were lifting it out of the mould, like a birth. Love these kind of videos. Love of history.

[@budbud2509]

Same here Peter b , on a complex job having to go down to the Foundry and help core up a complex job ( Rolls Royce Light alloy foundry Derby ) nothing comes close to seeing the mould close and then knocking out the casting and examining how the casting looks after months of work making the Pattern and multiple core boxes. Like a trip down memory lane .

[@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire]

Passing a kidney stone is supposedly close to having a baby...

[@iandownie9848]

@@CurmudgeonExtraordinaire Yes, been there done that, like a plat of three barb wires.

[@yakhunt9424]

I actually shed a tear at the end. Lovely to see proper heavy industry alive and well in the digital economy, even if it's only small batch

[@kuriakos]

I got chills when he brushed aside the sand and we could see "The Ranalah"

[@johnhart1096]

Dom, I found this episode absolutely fascinating, my dear old Dad, Danny Hart was a mould maker at Bow foundry starting in his young teens about 1931, and specialised in cast iron baths, unfortunately in 1937 he was up in the roof beams unjamming a chain block and fell and injured his kidneys landing on a mould frame, he survived after some pioneering surgery and became a lorry driver for pickfords on Scammell low loaders, and alas WW2 started and his skills were needed in Egypt driving tank transporters, thanks to you I have had a glimpse of his early life as a mould maker, fantastic, keep it up mate, PS, Dad survived the war in North Africa and after d mob moved away from Bow and lived out his life in Romford Essex..

[@eastcoastcastings]

👍🏻🔥

[@evoermine]

What an absolutely beautiful thing to watch. The people, the methods, the music, the entire story, absolutely perfect.

[@DominicChineas]

Really glad you’ve enjoyed it, thank you

[@bobcooke6346]

What a wonderful fulfilling moment for you Dom, and all the guy’s that helped make the dream come true, congratulations 👍🙂

[@bozz1954]

What an achievement Dom. We could see the pleasure and the pride in your face . Well done to you and the team behind this.

[@joshschneider9766]

As a metal worker it makes my heart swell to see this. Just bursting with happiness for ALL the people involved!!

[@stephenboyce6765]

What a fabulous film - your best yet. Having witnessed the decline in UK manufacturing over my lifetime let us hope this is the turning point. Well done Dom your commitment to this project is an inspiration.

[@DominicChineas]

That means a lot thanks so much, I hope so too!

[@1crazypj]

Me too. I moved to Florida in 1999 and haven't been back to Britain much. Last time I was there in 2014 it was really depressing as 'everything' had shut down. Even the pubs were boarded up and clubs I used to frequent in the 80's~90's no longer existed, just a piece of grass with a bench next to a car park

[@FishingFan2]

Brilliant! This puts to shame the old saying - 'They don't make em like they use to all those years ago'!!! Britains finest.❤

[@lucienwilliams4359]

Just like the phoenix ranalah is reborn in fire! Such a amazing story all the way from searching for one to this moment 👍

[@julianginniver5785]

So great to see artisans at work. Huge respect for the team at the foundry and for you to bring all this to fruition. 👏

[@DominicChineas]

Great job by everyone! glad you enjoyed it

[@zs1dfr]

You clearly come from Cheshire, Dom - you're grinning like a Cheshire Cat! Congratulations - a brilliant start to 2022

[@andyfirthbespoke]

I found that quite emotional. Absolutely fantastic to see a new Ranalah come to life. Very well done guys.

[@DominicChineas]

I’m glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much for the support, it was an emotional few days!

[@antrog1895]

Me too.

[@user-ku5pm9ep3u]

@@DominicChineas Hi, can someone tell me where these are for sale please. 👍

[@stevebosun7410]

Hi Dom, fantastic, what more can I say. Ranalah lives again. Great to see passionate people still able to produce work as it should be.

[@pmg3813]

Watching you bring the Ranalah back to life and going through all the stages of manufacture was an absolute pleasure. It makes me feel proud that craftsmanship is actively being kept alive by people who are passionate about quality and history. Thank you Dom.

[@brianclaridge7695]

Fantastic, my heart was going 10 to the dozen while you were taking it out of the mold.

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

Brilliant, and what a major piece of performance art by that foundry. I loved watching the process, the pure drama that these guys do when they make something. So exciting for you Dom, and it has been lovely following this story.

[@eastcoastcastings]

Thank You from Us 🔥

[@iainnash6580]

Can’t tell you how pleased I am for you Dom - it’s been brilliant watching the journey from that first video when you got the piece of paper to say you’d bought the rights to standing next to the very first new machine Thank you for taking us on the journey with you

[@stevetheflub235]

Wow Dom, that was surreal. You could really feel your emotion, especially at the end, their present almost got you at the end, now you know how it feels to be on the other side of the table in the Repair Shop. That was a great vlog, congratulations for a great beginning. Have a good week Dom.

[@eastcoastcastings]

Dom didn’t have a clue about the cast plaque’ Emotions were there, and Dom loved it 👌🏼

[@stevetheflub235]

Totally agree. He does so much for others, it's nice to see the table turned. That was a lovely thing to do. Your work is fantastic, I didn't know so much went into it. However, I might be 60 this year but I love learning new things. Thanks for letting the camera in, I'd have missed so much.

[@eastcoastcastings]

@@stevetheflub235 Your very welcome & glad you enjoyed the video 👍🏻

[@OutdoorAdventureTV]

What a great project! I explore old mines, and at some of the mining museums I have seen patterns for huge gears and flywheels. Your project is the exact same process that has been used for hundreds of years. You have become part of Ranalah history. Hopefully Ranalah owners will watch these videos a hundred years in the future to see how their machines were made. Sooo cool! ❤️

[@budbud2509]

Yes been used for hundreds of years ........... Some say its the second oldest profession !!!

[@colinreader4107]

I've learned such a huge amount from these videos Dom, having been in the machine tool industry most of my working life as a sparkie I didn't realise the talent that went into the castings, they were just big lumps of metal. The pattern making is really fine art as is the casting process, I'm in awe!

[@simonhi99]

As a huge fan of The Repair Shop, I can't believe I only found your channel a week ago Dom, but have since watched every single video. It's a massive achievement with The Ranalah project, and I can't wait to see more, well done!

[@paulburbidge8636]

Love it, and no high vis jackets. I used to work at Steel And Garlands Castings in Worksop

[@simes205]

Fantastic!! Now on with the 356!

[@gav2759]

I guess you now know what it feels like on the other side of that reveal table Dom. Well done all. BTY, that vid is as good as any Repair Shop episode.

[@grandaded]

What a wonderful insight into a world of true craftsmanship. And your face Dom; says it all! Congratulations.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you!

[@andywarrington4738]

thanks Dom , great to see , from the flames comes the Phoenix , reborn .

[@janzienkiewicz5295]

This took me back to 2012 Olympic opening ceremony, all the casting and the rings rising. What an amazing company. Makes you proud 👍🏼

[@scubaroo]

Utterly utterly captivating Dom. Your passion for this project is as captivating as the skills being employed to bring it back to life. It really is good to know that we still have some genuinely skilled people around. Beautifully filmed piece too. I really wish you all success with this , it certainly wont be for a lack of effort or enthusiasm!

[@ianfairclough3516]

Hard work but what a rewarding job when the finished item is revealed. Congratulations to you and the teams involved.

[@thomaspollock4274]

I get gooseflesh watching this, history revived brilliant.

[@tomasjones3755]

Wow... jus wow. Damn near went all blubbery, when the hoist pulled it up; from the sand. Well done, mate; well done....

[@billkahl1147]

Wow, I think I would have been in tears when I saw the results of all that went into making the new Ranalah. You should be extremely proud of what you accomplished.

[@Steve-j-morgan]

Watching it with a bit of a tear in my eye ..to be so passionate is just brilliant we need to be showing this sort of thing in schools and get kids to be passionate about things they can create ...just brilliant dom ..well done

[@budbud2509]

Steve Morgan , u are so right , in the past manufacturing had become a dirty word , but it was how the UK earned its way in the world. And its still vital to making manufactured goods even today. Any attempt to rekindle interests in actually making things should be encouraged .

[@ouseanglers]

Truly epic! The whole story, the sound, the footage, the craftsmanship, the passion. Should be made a series on the BBC for everyone to see. Take a bow Dom, you absolutely smashed it 👌

[@kevinknowles3365]

Very deservedly looking and sounding like a young boy with a new (and very expensive) toy. Well done to you and everyone involved.

[@stephenblaze4571]

I must say you have built a brilliant team around you it was like a phoenix raising from the ashes well done

[@dickiedum]

What a fantastic achievement. The skills that everyone had to produce this were awesome. To produce something like this and have the energy, enthusiasm and motivation to produce number one is an indication of the skills we still have in this country. An emotional video and the pattern makers are true craftsman. Wonderful stuff.

[@eastcoastcastings]

🇬🇧🔥

[@shaunsheep8252]

I have followed your story with the Ranalah and am really inspired by your dedication and love of the real craftsmanship from the old days. I was watching this completely fixed, I’m so happy for you and can see the joy on your face, the end gave me a lump in my throat. I wish you so much success with this project Dom and let’s hope this is inspiration for others to bring back real English craftsmanship and engineering.

[@christophernoto]

What a thrill to see the two frames, side by side, at the end. My eyes are wet. Thank you for bringing us along with you, Dominic. You are making us proud.

[@UCanDoIt2Mike]

Dom, Your passion for this rebirth is priceless and gravitating. Congratulations on your efforts and success! Mike

[@BunnyKins1970]

Ah, mate! That's fantastic! When it came out of the mould, you looked just like a new dad. (Apart from knocking the stuff off of it with a hammer, of course) 💚🐇🐴💚

[@darrylmccreath4539]

Lol👍

[@chrisflemington819]

I think the emotion displayed by yourself and all of the team at East Coast says it all. Between you The Ranalah has come to fruition and I’m sure it’s No 1 it will, hopefully, be the first of many. Congratulations to everyone involved.

[@eastcoastcastings]

Thank You 🙏🏻

[@sharonhopkins1678]

My husband was a metallurgical engineer and made transmissions for Corvettes and other things. He once told me that he liked to work so well, he would do it for free so I understand their joy in this!

[@RoyCousins]

Excellent! So nice to see The Ranalah reborn in the flesh. Dom looked just like a proud father with his new baby.

[@machineshopatthebottomofth3213]

well done Dom and team! Look forward to all the turned parts joining the frame!

[@DavidTYork]

I came to this channel because of the Porsche, but I think this is the best video of the lot. The skill, what it means to Dom, even the plaque at the end. Brilliant.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you! I’m so glad you are enjoying the videos

[@digitaIgorilla]

Chuffed for you chap. That is some achievement by all the people involved. We'll done. History lives on.

[@larbertman36]

Enjoyed that so much. My original engineering training was in foundry techniques and it was so good to see this. I really hope you make a commercial success of the ressurrected Ranalah.

[@robertwatsonbath]

Amazing result. I'm also pleased to see that there is pattern and foundry work in the UK still. When you got the Christmas present at the end I half expected it to be a 1/12 scale desktop sized wheel casting. Think you need to update the Ranalah wikipedia page now Dom!

[@eastcoastcastings]

We have a great team & very passionate about our work.

[@robertwatsonbath]

@@eastcoastcastings that, along with the expertise you clearly have very much comes across - fantastic to see!

[@edwardfry5502]

Fancy seeing you here...

[@robertwatsonbath]

@@edwardfry5502 Haha, small world eh, Ed!

[@rachelsharkey5802]

Well done to all and Massive congratulations Dom ! 🎊 🍾 x

[@bellethomas1]

Thank You Dom for letting us be part of your Dream Happy new year

[@mattdow9039]

I live and work near the Morden Road, Merton industrial area, I never knew Ranalah were based locally in my home area. Enjoying these vids immensely.

[@craigd6261]

Everyone involved can feel so proud of their achievement, bringing this back to life. Well done.

[@BrianB14471]

Hey Craig. Where you at?

[@bobingram6912]

Well done Dom, fantastic to watch this project to its end. That was a proper Repair Shop ending, we were all in tears, silly really, its a piece of metal, but when you see the love, care and expertise of these little tucked away craftsmen have for their work it makes you feel proud that they are there and able to bring your dream to fruition. Top video, learnt a lot, thanks to all the guys that helped you on the way👍🏻👏

[@Dav4122]

Fantastic! A great result and loved the atmospheric music in the background

[@danielclare2344]

Loved every second of the series on this . Been watching this since the start . You didn’t stop smiling through the whole video 🤣. I’m delighted for you that it worked out . Can’t wait to see the finished product and possibly get my hands on one and bring it to Ireland . 👍

[@sephton85]

Absolutely over the moon for you mate i dont think I have ever been so excited to see the notification come through for this video rushed home brewed up well done Dom!!!!!

[@ms_zaku.1415]

This clip​ so impressive, "Respect". Your​ are my​ idol.🤘👏👏👏👍👍👍🤘

[@twincamtim]

There's really only one word for all this.......marvellous!

[@oasismike2905]

I cried...didn't know what this'd be about, but...it wasn't a religious icon; one large state of the art casting. I've watched motorcycle gas tank fabrication using wheels like this'll use, and smaller castings. Even though I've no direct experience, custom fabrication of any type is dear to my heart. I learned some things, and truly enjoyed seeing the workmanship and result of not just this step but the others before it -- great video, very satisfying emotionally. Thank you!

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks so much for the positive comment, really glad you enjoyed it

[@simonclark9367]

Congratulations Dom, so pleased for you & congratulations to all the crafts people involved. Superb filming in this episode too.

[@meirionevans5137]

Brilliant, 1 man + 1ton of metal=happy.

[@pattieorwayneshort6204]

I've personally cast over 200 tether cars in the last 25 years. When I made my very first pattern and poured my first casting it did not come out correctly, only half filled. Making changes to the runners and venting properly, the second one came out perfectly. The feeling of seeing that after making the patterns, building the furnace and pouring the metal is an incredible feeling. And holding that casting in your hand is a special moment. I deal with many customers that have a lot of money and can buy most anything. But the feeling you get from producing something yourself with your own two hands they will never know. Except for my buddy Malibu Larry. He's a self taught machinist, fabricator and mechanical engineer and builds the coolest stuff just for the fun and satisfaction of it. His mansion, Ferraris, Porsches, etc. are cool but no comparison to the awesome toys/projects he builds. Kudo's to all who work with there hands!

[@eastcoastcastings]

Great words 👍🏻

[@sadgit66]

From start to finish this has been an epic journey - and what a wonderful gift for you at the end. Well done to everyone.

[@mikehipperson]

Absolutely brilliant Dom! The whole project has shown that, although almost a century has gone by, the skills necessary to produce the Ranalagh have not been lost to time. Hopefully this will encourage some young people into learning the skills to actually make something rather than simply order it online from some dodgy Chinese supplier.

[@eastcoastcastings]

Exactly’ This is what it’s all about’

[@captainhaddock2137]

Should be proud of yourself Dom, hell of a journey, all the right people for each job, culminating in an end product that speaks for itself . Sorted 👏

[@steveallen8987]

Watching you chip away at the sand like an archaeologist with wide eyes unearthing a new species. I cried just a little bit. Just disappointed that you havnt put your signature on the casting. It deserves the name of the man who single handedlay resurrected this work of art. Perhaps a small brass plaque on each will suffice. Steve

[@iansinclair7581]

We watch you on the Repair Shop Dom. This took my wife back almost 50 years as she started her adult working life as a lab technician in a foundry in the west of Scotland. Looking forward to seeing the finished article any future projects you may come up with. Well done.

[@tonyburndred2432]

The skills are still out there, amazing piece of work, well done Dom and all the other craftsman that was involved, brilliant!!!

[@neilcurson4505]

Like a dad waiting for his first born! Wishing you every success.

[@daveyoudle8396]

Well Dom,you have done it, all bar the finishing touches. Epic . I am an eighty year old retired Blacksmith and thoroughly enjoyed watching the progress. I went to an Army Apprentices School to learn my trade at 15 years old!. The British Army are great teachers. I am able to appreciate exactly what you have achieved. It must be a great feeling. Well done. Blacksmith, Chepstow 1958.

[@colinhiggins1412]

Oh Dom, best one yet. I’m a die cast and plastic injection mould toolmaker and I found that very interesting. My uncle was a pattern maker in derby so that vid was quite close to home. Keep them coming. 👍

[@GamingDad63]

It's such a joy to watch these videos :) I just wish i had found your channel earlier. Brilliant!

[@phildxyz]

Great to see proper engineering still going on in the UK.

[@mikeparker3865]

Talk about a proud papa! The look on your face says it all. So happy to see how perfectly it turned out.

[@seekersofrhythm]

A dream realised and well deserved. There isn't anyone I know on KZbin that has the passion and determination to take a 100 year old company and bring the life back to a point where you can now give others the opportunity to create and fabricate metal on one of the most important tools in any metal workshop. I can't wait to see it finished and painted. Congrats and stay safe J.

[@BuntersYard]

Well done Dom. I felt your excitement and emotion as #01 was finally revealed. Can’t wait to see the next stage

[@qshed]

Absolutely love it Dom Glad to see British manufacturing is still about. All I have to do now is start saving

[@petehall889]

So amazing to watch the creation of a new Ranalah! I'm really pleased to see all the hard work by everyone in the project coming to fruition. We'll done to all involved, but particularly you, Dom, who had the vision and drive to carry things through. It's a new dawn for The Ranalah and all those who will have the good fortune to use one!

[@Evermoregreen23451]

Fantastic Project, it’s been nice to see we have the high calibre artisans who can still produce fantastic products. Hopefully the Ranalahs will be used to develop a new generation of body builders keeping our vintage auto cars etc in perfect condition. Well done to all who have made this possible. Dom, I wish you all the best in the future with this venture.

[@garylangton6798]

WOW, the long awaited Ranalah wheeling machine project moves onto the next stage. such a fascinating video to watch. Very well executed and an in-depth look into how the casting process works. Must be a very exiting time for you Dom and the journey we have all travelled with you so far. Well done.

[@stephenkayll5241]

Fantastic watch, great story and watching real craftsmen just doing their job, no drama, just professionalism. Well done. great music to.

[@colinmartin2921]

Fantastic, so great to see old style skills on show, and I felt emotional too!

[@daffyduxxx]

Fascinating process, thank you for sharing your journey Dom. All the very best for the future of the Ranalah.

[@johntisbury]

Awesome Don and everyone involved. That was 30 minutes of pure pleasure to watch. Congratulations on No.1 90 years later!

[@patrickbrown7491]

Great to see the skills of British Industry isn't & can't be lost but revived!

[@CrustyLees_engineeringish]

Total respect for this Dom, and lovely to see we haven’t totally lost true craftsmanship in this country

[@eastcoastcastings]

Fine words 👍🏻🇬🇧