'Stripping Down The Ranalah' | Reviving History (Episode Two)

[@Tommahelen]

Excellent! You should take it to the Repair Shop, see if the BBC will make you fixing it part of the show! “The next visitor to the Barn is Dom from the shed next door....” 😂

[@everestyeti]

Can't understand anyone not liking Dom's video's, truly passionate and lovely to see.

[@gemmasalmon9667]

I have no idea about any of this but my favourite you tubers are those that clearly have a lot of passion for their work/hobbies/interests and it’s incredibly infectious.

[@judithbarnett2966]

Exactly - not a clue really but Dom makes it so interesting. You are right; it's infectious (& yes I am v late to the party but catching up!)

[@deanmarskell1518]

@@judithbarnett2966 better late than never tho Judith absolutely brilliant have you seen the latest episode that's brilliant too👍

[@judithbarnett2966]

Yes I've watched them all now

[@deanmarskell1518]

@@judithbarnett2966 fantastic thing that Dom is doing I've walked past Mike wheelers shop many times and never knew that their was a wheeling machine in their 😊

[@terrylogan8864]

as a retired engineer myself I feel your excitement, keep it up

[@bozz1954]

That darker grey looks like Battleship grey. This was available in great quantities after the 2nd world war and I can remember just about every machine I used as an apprentice was this colour. Really look forward to these vlogs Dom. Keep em' coming

[@DominicChineas]

nice! thank you

[@TheBrummiedoug]

When I started work in the 60's there was always a drum of 'Battleship grey' on the go. If work was slack then paint the machines ! There was also a drum of Red for fly press, handles, balls and other machine guards.

[@whatdoyousaymrwilson]

That's why all the early Ferguson tractors were painted grey because of the surplus grey paint after the war. It wasn't all the same colour though so now theres about 4 different shades of Ferguson grey!

[@ratman9802]

BS381C "Dark Admiralty Grey" is etched in my memory. Just searched BS381C and a colour chart came up; a good place to start for the likely original colour

[@TR4zest]

I think this Ranalah was made between the World Wars.

[@nickcockerill239]

Your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@stephenkayll5241]

I'm watching this in reverse as I saw the vlog with Dom & Honest John readjusting the set up. Its got me hooked, I love this story.

[@DominicChineas]

I hope you’ll start at the begining when I found the first one, also casting the first one at the foundry is a highlight!

[@martinwinfield2935]

Really great to see this project. The paint looks very much the same as used in early Strowger Telephone Exchanges. They were Battleship Grey, the exchange cabinet always had a tin of this paint supplied to touch up the frames. Great to see this taking shape.

[@paulrobinson3985]

That’s where I started my working life as a TTA in an exchange. Happy times.

[@martinwinfield2935]

Good old days, you will also remember the other colour Light Straw which followed. I was an engineer working for Plessey Communication Systems. Working on PABXs.

[@andynicklin6420]

Ticking 2 boxes now Dom, keeping the craft of the english wheel alive and reverse engineering a classic machine shop tool, on the reverse engineering front, welcome to our world! All the best from all at Supermarine Aero Engineering Ltd

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks so much for watching! I’m learning a lot along the way.. thank you

[@andyc972]

Excellent Dom, enjoyed your Archeological dig, Phil would be proud of you !

[@johno4377]

Doubt this will be of any help but I went to the National Slate Museum in North Wales a few years ago and they have a huge sand pit for casting and also a massive room with loads of wooden patterns for the machinery. They made all their own wooden patterns, and cast their own tools and machinery for mining the slate etc. I think you mentioned you already had contacts in mind but if not they would be worth a shout I reckon. The Ranalah aside, I highly recommend a visit if you haven't been, it offers a really fantastic insight into the whole process of casting and pattern making and there are people working there who are 3rd-4th generation and know the place like the back of their hand! I'm so excited for this series!

[@matthewbrown5677]

Like l say , pop down to see our wheel and the Anvil spacers. Precision Panel Craft.

[@DominicChineas]

I did think of you guys when I said that! that would be really handy. thank you

[@kevinwebb6338]

I am so glad I subscribed to your channel Dominic. The enthusiasm and content of your channel is just a wonder to watch. I am a City and Guilds sheet metal worker myself, and although I have never used a Ranalah machine, I have seen them used in the Swindon Railway Works, back in the early 80s. They were used to build train coaches. This is just fascinating to watch. Keep up the good work.

[@nobeltube]

Hi Dom, love what you're doing with the blog with snippets from The Repair Shop as well as your activities in the unit. As a biker and motorcycle paint restorer with an engineering background it's so refreshing to be able to watch content that I totally associate with, but on the subject of paint colour for the Ranalah please, please, please put away your RAL chips!! I've had a quick look at the previous comments and they're bang on- start your matching process with BS (British Standard, not the other type of "BS"!!) and you're more than likely to find the original colour, since the palette available when the wheeling machines were made were so much more restricted than what we have available now. Choose the nearest visual match and stick with it, so that you can ensure consistency and repeatability. You're not a million miles away from one of my favourite paint suppliers, GB Refinishing at Greenhithe DA9. Get Dean Dredge over for a chat and advice- you'll be several cups of tea lighter, but he certainly knows his onions!! Best of luck with your endeavours.

[@mr2981]

He knows his onions? I love it!

[@consideredwhisper]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. I might even call my cat Ranalah.

[@kevkeelan5106]

Ive had good results stripping old enamel paint, with Screwfix own brand paint stripper. Cheap as chips too. Excellent project and approach Dominic. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@highpath4776]

Paint Colours - Henry Ford Options. Grey (as in any shade you like but that bluish tinge looks nice), Add for custom colour.

[@robbateman7987]

Used Langlow Strip away pro on ferrous and non ferrus metal with good success. Covered with kitchen foil or even newspaper to slow the evaporation. Well vented area and mask of course. Oh, watch LEADED paint when using a hot air gun, fumes not good. Can feel the enthusiasm flowing out Dom, what a journey.

[@vaudiw1]

cant get enough of this. i could watch it all day long......keep up the good work dom

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you! Thanks for watching

[@peterhofmann8292]

I do so love your enthusiasm and excitement it is contagious

[@davidbamford4721]

Pattern making is a complex trade. For the small cradle which you have just made a wooden pattern, a box needs to me made to cast a sand pattern for the space between the two pedestals. Also a box to mould the sand shapes for the apertures in the pedestals. Your foundryman will guide you on what he needs.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you for the input, I hope you’ll watch the rest of the videos in the ranalah series, we figured out the pattern, just as you describe

[@davidelliott8016]

Great video! I think in most workshops, they repaint all the machines with the same tin of paint whatever colour it is, rather than making a conscious effort to make them uniform. That's been my experience anyway lol. If they've got any paint left at the end, they go round and give a once over to anything mucky or damaged!

[@DominicChineas]

this is probably true! hence so many different blues and greens!

[@davidelliott8016]

@@DominicChineas and you know its the youngest one who usually pushes the broom around being told to do the painting on a quiet afternoon. I know, I was that kid 😂

[@bobt3374]

That was a busy week Dom glad to see your making headway with the wheel. That will be amazing to see the first one made & working. Good luck & take it easy.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you, It will be a while, but I also looking forward to it!

[@jonathanhawkins9147]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. Great to see not just the old being brought back to life but also being remade. Excellent !

[@andrewmarch7891]

Thank you for your enthusiastic commitment to the Ranalah project it WILL be worth it.

[@paulelliott2861]

Great film mate… just about to watch next episode. Paul Wimbledon.

[@gordonagent7037]

Dom, found this link on a random search and absolutely encapsulated by the wheel and more your enthusiasm. The story, the old engineer that owned it and the search, mate a perfect scenario for any good book. I will follow with great interest as dare say there will be. Trades involved here that are a dying breed. Well done, thanks so much for sharing and make sure you make some miniatures so that us guys that follow you can purchase and feel part of the journey….

[@gkelly941]

Once upon a time, I worked in a boatyard building aluminum sail boats. We used a larger motorized machine with wheels to bend the aluminum plates preparatory to welding them to the hull framing. Very interesting process. It turned out that it was better to have stress built into the hull so it was better able to resist the sailing loads. This is an incredible machine and an incredible story of how you found and restored the machine.

[@andrewthomas7129]

Hello Dom. Just discovered your videos about Ranalah Ltd, and your future plan to remake. I think it's a fantastic project, and your enthusiasm is totally infectious ! I can't wait until the next instalment ! Think you will be amazed where this might go as far as sales are concerned !!! not just for the wheeling machines, but anything else wth Ranalah written on it - I already want a mug and a T shirt ! All the best, Andrew. (Kendrick owner)

[@tonystamp2708]

This is such an interesting project. Thank you for sharing it, Dom. You are making a lot of old engineers very happy.

[@swingjive47]

I really do like your passion and drive for this project, I've been dragged in to it Dom ! I'll be keeping my eye out for these wheeling machines now and you know what it's like ! You wait for a bus and 😉

[@tomasjones3755]

Dom - thanx for documenting all the little bits, as you go. As a lifelong hobbyist mechanic/engineer, it's a treat

[@weevilinabox]

Just about to watch. I'm so excited to see this whole process. Edit: Those parts came off more easily than I'd expected. I'm now looking forward to seeing how you remove the female thread, the keyway and the upper wheel shaft. And then the transfer into 3-d CAD. I expecting it to be photogrammetry, but I'd really like to see a laser scan (with Faro arm, or similar).

[@BunnyKins1970]

You're so lucky! I absolutely love taking things like that apart and making them work. But to own a machine of such elegance and size *and* the company...wow. 💚🐇🐴💚

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

Wonderful, what a week you have had, but so exciting too.

[@timcoombe7880]

Just playing catch-up and am so taken with your enthusiasm. The joy when you tracked down the old Ranalah was inspiring. I live about 10 minutes from Henwood and never knew Jeff existed. What a craftsman. So looking forward to the onward adventure.

[@nicolaliddle9622]

Wow that is some job you’ve taken on, it’s going to be amazing, thanks for bringing us along for the ride!

[@colingraham1065]

Go for it Dom. Follow that dream, good on you!

[@RaysonsExhaust]

Loved it again!! 😁👍 Glad to see I'm not the only one that has a battery that runs low.. 🤦‍♂️ Will definitely be watching alot more of your videos, and hoping that some of the style transfers across to my videos.. thanks for a great watch Dom... I'm currently rolling cones, while listening to you through the big speakers... and the video, has been a little distracting... I keep wandering away from my bench to see what is going on. 😂

[@DominicChineas]

Thanks!!! Sorry for being a distraction haha, thank you for the support, hopefully get to meet you soon!

[@paulp96275]

Dom fanbloodytastic project you are making history by bringing this lovely tool back to life stay safe 👍👨🏻‍🏭

[@rogernorth1605]

Blimey you've only had it a week, and now its stripped to pieces. Very interesting watching. keep up the good work Dom.Thanks.

[@raydriver7300]

You are so enthusiastic and talented, Dom. I look forward to seeing your videos. 🌞

[@kevinhampton2068]

Great video as usual! Love seeing the progress on the English wheel and can't wait for the next video! Keep up the great work.

[@adrianellis6902]

Fantastic mate, what an infectious ambition of perfection you have, super tribute to the chaps who designed and produced these wheels, all the very best.

[@richardwhatton1249]

Good progress Dom, finding people who can make things and more importantly make thinks happen is great fun. So keep up the good work. Kind regards, Richard.

[@moonstarer55]

So glad to see you so enthused about the Ranalah wheel components and stripping them down. Carry on Dom looking forward to the next video.

[@NSYresearch]

I have very little interest in engineering but your enthusiasm for your work is infectious. I'm more of a history geek and when I'm on the trail of a story i think i get the same rush...

[@spillanemike]

Loved the tear down, looking forward to seeing the Ranalah progress!

[@terrynorton3182]

When I was an apprentice carpenter and joiner, I went to a pattern makers for a six month exchange. What those guys do is truly amazing!

[@DominicChineas]

Brilliant! I bet that was great, do you know which type of wood they used?

[@terrynorton3182]

@@DominicChineas one that I can remember was Gelutong, it was very straight grained and quite light in colour and had very small knots, like little elipses. I can’t remember much more but I’m guessing the woods used had specific properties, ideal for patterns. Perhaps they were very stable, and as I’ve said, straight grained.

[@rowancrafts]

I once worked with a guy who made patterns for casting ships propellers for really big ships. The patterns looked nothing like the finished job. He had to allow for the hot metal shrinking as it cools in the mold, so the thicker that part of the prop was the bigger the patterns had to be. They looked really strange but he was so accurate the final blade was perfect.

[@terrynorton3182]

@@rowancrafts how do people do that, it's beyond me.

[@spiffer27]

@@terrynorton3182 A little bit of maths and years of experience!!

[@michaelanderson9043]

I wanted to be a pattern maker but the positions were taken so I wound up an apprentice moulder so looking forward to this journey of yours, very interesting.

[@lightwarriortarot8648]

Great vlog Dom, really interesting seeing all the component parts of the Ranalah. Look forward to watching it all come together. Love your enthusiasm!

[@MarkRimmell]

This is brilliant. You made my day when you mentioned measuring the thread and I realised that you're aiming for that level of perfection. I'm assuming that if you keep on this path all your new components will be interchangeable with 1930s machines?

[@DominicChineas]

That’s the plan, everything will be completely interchangeable!

[@johnmurrell3175]

@@DominicChineas From the date of the machine the threads on the bolts are probably Whitworth or BSF. The larger thread on the adjuster may be a non-standard

[@StevesConsul]

@@johnmurrell3175 Yes that is a Whitworth bolt, the size on old whitworth spanners is the size of the diameter not the size across the flats, old whitworth bolts always have larger heads, it can be confusing sometimes because modern made whitworth bolts and nuts can have AF size heads.

[@velviaman3206]

Not so many skinned knuckles either, the heads were deeper so spanners were less liable to slip.

[@johnmurrell3175]

@@StevesConsul The size of BSW & BSF nut heads was reduced during WW2 to save steel. They were made one size smaller so the spanners would still fit but of course the labels were then wrong for the diameter of the bolt. It is an easy way to see if any spanners are pre WW2

[@PeterJenkins]

Fascinating project. I wish the repair shop producers would cover the projects on the show in this level of detail rather than just skipping most of the work and mixing in random clips of unrelated projects.

[@uktony1525]

Fantastic video and really looking forward to coming with you on this journey.

[@andrewhawkins6454]

Great video again Dom. Fabulous to see the progress being made. The attention to detail is a must, as you know. I'm excited for you. Well done. 😁👍

[@gillbond3852]

Absolutely love your passion for what you do,

[@raywilkins8839]

Keep up the good work Dom. This is brilliant. Keeping the history alive.

[@Cradley684]

Happy for ya Dom, keep we posted Mate, and Stay Safe !!!.

[@matt_reeves_designs]

I find your videos and enthusiasm so inspiring! Keep up the good work:)

[@unclefranko2452]

Hi Dom ,all good stuff, I'm hooked on this project mate can't wait for the next one 👍 F

[@Lifesgood427]

Great progress Dom, love your enthusiasm, will watch all the progress, keep the updates coming!

[@kevinsimpson7114]

Fantastic video Dom. Really looking forward to seeing how things move forward.👍🏻

[@PeterJewell2]

Getting the dimensions of the parts is relatively easy. How will you work out exactly what metals to use? I would imagine the hardness of the rollers and wheel are very important. Please cover this in future videos, and also the making of the patterns. Also, the two sleeves... I guess these will be parts pressed into machined holes (and never intended to be removed). You'll be covering these in the future, I trust? Having recently realised that the need to repair things is part of my DNA, I'm delighted to have found your channel. Would love to be working as your apprentice!

[@mariah26.x97]

It's lovely to see you so passionate about all this. Already looking forward to your next video. Keep up the good work !

[@TomAnthonydotcom]

from a big fan in Virginia, U.S., What a great story! It is refreshing to see your vision and exciting to follow along.

[@DominicChineas]

Hi! Thanks for the message, glad I’ve made it over to the U.S!

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Dom, A very interesting episode two... I am looking forward to seeing the pattern making update in the next episode... Take care. Paul,,

[@terrytopliss9506]

So pleased to see you working on the English wheel Dom. I’ve enjoyed all your videos and it nice to be able to travel with you through this project.👍👍

[@nickmassey9104]

Grear video of the strip down Dom The colour looks like audi nardi grey great you keeping it original spec .

[@kingcal53]

Great stuff, Dom. Keep them coming!

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you, I’m working on it!

[@raymondhall9666]

Great, continues to be very interesting. Enjoying being along for the journey. What fabulous 1930’s engineering and great to hear that you are investing your time and money in the production an exact copy. Keep the videos coming. Thanks

[@fredjcarss7788]

Great progress Dom. Absolutely fascinating story.

[@DominicChineas]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@monicafaloona1293]

Love your enthusiasm! It’s catching,can’t wait to see the next episode so interesting.

[@stephendriver5853]

Fantastic, slow but sure.

[@tomlee812]

What amazing energy and enthusiasm you have. Respect.

[@peterkearley5616]

Great video Dom looking forward to the next one.

[@dilihopa]

Enjoyed another video! It's great to follow along on this journey with you!

[@DominicChineas]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garym518]

Dom this is fascinating to watch can’t wait to see the next one, well done.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you! Really glad your enjoying it!

[@beornwhetstone2797]

I excited to see this progress

[@raycahill7425]

I agree my grandfather had many machines that colour looks like battleship grey was used quite a lot before the war and after.

[@simonevanschaik9224]

Such happy smiles!!

[@MrWhitley]

Nice one dom...Takes me back 30 years as a heathrow engineering apprentice with all these old bits of kit along with the colchester lathes and bridgport milling machines!!Good times!!

[@doczoff5655]

I'd be fascinated to see the pattern making process. I trained as a tool maker and am an aspiring woodworker (though so far I've spent most of my time restoring antique hand tools) so the pattern making will feel very relevant to me. Great vlog, thanks!

[@psnellin]

Very much enjoying watching this process Dom

[@johng7rwf419]

Dominic, at coffee this morning I was discussing and describing your Ranalah machine. One of the guys said they have one at Morgan Cars for applying the finishing curves to the blown panels which make up the car which he saw during a visit to the assembly shop. Thought you should know this as it may be a further source of information for you. Cheers John

[@DominicChineas]

Appreciate that, thank you

[@adrianlynch9435]

As others have said Dom. Looking good at this stage. Happy for you.

[@martinbrace7195]

Dom the Ranalah man great video mate.

[@petehall889]

Really pleased to see you progressing well with the Ranalah, Dom. You reminded me of long days spent stripping paint off panels during my classic car restorations 40 years ago! I so enjoy following your progress.

[@pdoubleyou7801]

You can resurface the wheels! The process is called metal spraying and consists of three operations, machining of the surface leaving a rough 'keying' surface, then plasma spraying molten metal, then finally refinishing to the original dimensions. Used for hydrolytic rams, so should be ok for your wheels.

[@Pnrc-b2u]

I am enjoying this so much. Thanks Dom

[@MrAbowker]

It's coming along well. I have a couple of suggestions. Like many others i'm sure a watching I take my car to shows and steam fairs, if you were to get some mini Ranalahs cast (small enough to pick up) I and others could display them in or by the car to get the word out that Ranalah is back (with your contact details) of course at the shows. Also you might like to contact John at Doubleboost he does casting and enginnering on his channel. It's called Doubleboost.

[@DominicChineas]

That is a great idea! once I get the thing built I may look into that.. thanks

[@SHawkeye007]

All the best to you Dom, can’t wait for the next episode!

[@robertbransby]

Love it Dom, can't wait to see the progress,

[@peterfarmer1592]

Love this series. Looking forward to future editions.

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi Dom, what a fantastic journey, As said before Looks like Battle ship gray , By the way don't forget to get your head down, (For 5 minutes) stay safe love to see the wood work bit can't wait, All the Best Brian

[@mikefisher9992]

Great project Dom, I would imagine the thread would be BSW or if it is a fine thread BSF going by the age of the machine. Keep up the good work.

[@steverickman3076]

Brilliant Dom, great work! She looks nice all stripped back. You looked really knackered Friday night in the last clip, take it steady mate, your doing a grand job👍

[@TonySaxby]

Awesome stuff yet again Dom. Looking forward to the next stages.

[@shaunhazeldine3377]

Going to looks so good when you finished it great work it’s nice to see you putting year heart and sole it to it 👌

[@davidasmithreverseglassgil9868]

Fantastic job Dom!!!! Brilliant mate.

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you Dave!!

[@smd1uk]

So fascinating Dom. I can’t wait for the next episode.