HUGE Ranalah Discovery! | With Steve Fletcher

[@dbentleyto95]

It is so heartwarming to see people excited about their work. Then I find Dom's channel, then there's Steve, who is just as excited. Two beautiful people who make me happy to know they're in the world.

[@birgittvanwijk9646]

I enjoyed this so much! I’m a 77 year old woman and this brought back so many wonderful memories! My father could do anything, trade or mechanical. He taught me how to renovate a house, gifted me tools for Christmas and birthdays. He was a watch maker with enormous patience. Later he joined the navy, studied and became a naval radar engineer. He used to take me into the ships engine rooms and I was fascinated! I love big machinery! Eventually I had my own helicopter business, became a pilot. The mechanics of helicopters are amazing! I am a sculptor and tools are a huge part of my craft. I love the Repair Shop because I love to learn, understand everyone’s craft. So much talent! Thank you for this trip down memory lane.

[@timtharp835]

I live in Canada and the Repair Shop is my favorite British TV show. So to find you on you tube was amazing and then Steve pops in it really made my day. Thank you both for a very enjoyable video.

[@stephenshivers5150]

This is my favorite. I love everyone from the repair shop, but if I'm honest this is 1A and 1B and to see them so excited together about this is so fun. I love how excited Steve is to show you something he knows you'll get enjoyment from is equally as fun as your excitement. It reminds me of my buddies and I when we were younger and just having so much fun doing this kind of thing. Well done guys.

[@simonclark9367]

Was just thinking what to comment & you've said it all sir, couldn't agree more.

[@iansmith2350]

I absolutely love the Repair Shop programmes and am left in awe at the amazing skills that the team exhibit. I was born and brought up in Witney and I well remember Steve Fletcher's dad, John. My mum used to take her watch to his shop in Corn Street for repair. In the 1950s/60s, my dad had an engineering works at the back of the Blanket Hall, just a few doors away from Mike Wheeler's, which also had back doors just a short length from the river Windrush. When I was a kid, Wheeler's was Rudge's motor bike shop. So all this has personal associations and is so fascinating. I'd heard that Wheeler's was closing, but had no idea that this old workshop was still there at the back.

[@BellalinaBallerina]

What a joy to see two craftsmen so happy and excited about tools! I love how you took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of the bolt and nut! What a wonderful video

[@Ozbert]

Good old Steve Fletcher for knowing that it was a rare and precious object. Nice to see you working together to achieve something too.

[@dolphson77]

Great to see two very genuine guys who love their work completely in their element. I started life as an engineer and followed my dad into that world. It was only when I became an engineer that I appreciated how he was feeling when he could not find a tool that I had borrowed and not put back..... now I too treasure tools........ This kind of passion is just what we need, keep up the good work guys, always facinating to watch 🙂

[@ianlane1024]

Great find Dom. I ex army and a bit of a ww2 history geek. Steve mentioning De Haviland is interesting. The war department tasked small workshops just as this to make aircraft parts during the war. This idea was to spread out production ,so that it would be impossible for the Germans to bomb just one factory and halt production. If it was used for De Haviland parts it would have almost certainly have been for the Mosquito. A primarily wooden plane but incorporating some metal panels. The other alternative could be that the wheel was at the nearby De Haviland factory and sold of after the war. The fact you found it so close to an old aircraft factory makes it almost certainly to have come from there. If so a real piece of british history . Credit too you and Steve for saving it ,to keep the history alive.

[@highpath4776]

If not in situ from new could equally have come from any post WW2 sell off

[@samrodian919]

@@highpath4776 yes maybe, but what the hell would they have wanted such a large machine with which to wheel? My money is what Ian Lane said, small workshops ordered to produce parts for the WW2 aircraft industry. Which is far more likely.

[@MianCowell]

@@samrodian919 I'd guess that after the DH factory closed, the fittings were sold off very cheaply and the bike shop saw an opportunity to obtain a useful tool.

[@deloradeabel8487]

Thank you for the info, very educational!

[@liannebedard5521]

I was raised in a tool manufacturing town in the northeast. My dad was the guy you went to when your gizmo wouldn’t work, or wobbled. He knew a guy who knew.,.so I love watching these guys..,

[@ianlainchbury]

Epic. This really is. Steve & Dom, no repair shop production team... just pure proper heritage stuff. Fantastic. Ty

[@MickRushforth]

Just love watching Steve repair clocks and the other things he turns his hands to amazing

[@kellylaliberte548]

How lucky that Steve found that and knew the exact person who would love and appreciate it. It was fun to watch the two of you geeking out about history and old tools.

[@sonofedmund5004]

Dom's had a haircut and looks 20 years younger! I've just been round an old bicycle repair shop that was set up in the 1920's and left in the 1980's and not touched since, it had a very similar vibe to that place. The bit where the wood dropped was pure 'Only Fools and Horses' - nice to see 2 guys working with no safety equipment and not a risk assessment in sight!

[@brianreardon159]

Steve shakes with joy watching Dom frozen absolutely solid with happiness. Priceless 😅

[@nickmassey9104]

Awesome find. Steve is a legend .this will be another part of your Ranalah working history future museum

[@TalRohan]

There is nothing quite like finding that one elusive tool that has been hiding from you for years. To have a friend be the one to introduce you to it is the icing on the cake. Brilliant find...I couldnt help noticing the anvil on the floor just by the ranalah .......

[@neilknight7626]

Hi Dom,a friend of mine who has sadly passed away worked at the ranalah factory during the sww described how there was twenty wheels in a row fixed to the floor and ceiling. During the day the constant pressure of all the wheels lifted the ceiling which was also the floor above so when they finished they had to slacken all the wheels off to stop them damaging the wheels.

[@rayfk4]

At 1:16 seconds there is a black carved box which has Pacific Northwest Indian coast design on it. As a Tlingit and Tsimsian tribal member (Alaska Native), I immediately noticed it and was shocked to see it in a Repair Shop-related video in England. I will wonder forever if the box was just a tourist-type object or an authentic box! LOL BTW, Love Steve, Dom and all on the Repair Shop!

[@govsquid]

I have to imagine that when one gets a text from Fletcher saying "get over here!" that there isn't a moment's hesitation.

[@digitaIgorilla]

I think you met the stunt Steve, today, as this one only has the one pair of glasses on his head. The 'hero' version wears many more 😂

[@jameshurst3279]

Amazing what you’ve achieved in two years. Not letting life pass you by Dom. Thanks for the inspiration

[@besenzon1]

What an amazing twist of fate. You were obviously meant to have that Ranalah ❤️

[@shirleypugh4177]

Two of my absolute favourites from the Repair Shop. Their enthusiasm is so hearttwarming, even though I haven't a clue what the thing could be used for!

[@jonathangreenwood793]

Two of the best guys on the planet saving a piece of history. Whats not to love? Make sure it's put to work so that the history can continue in your name. Similarly, I like to buy old tools, restore them and use them. When I pick them up I always wonder what the previous owner may have created with them. I look forward to using them, creating and then passing them on and teaching my children how to use them. I could totally feel what you felt when you took that apart to be the new custodian. Just brilliant.

[@lesleysmith5623]

What an amazing find and what an amazing video. As a retired engineer I could spend days in there just finding gems, soaking up the atmosphere and ghosts of the past.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Fantastic. No doubt the knowledge of even the existence of Ranalah has increased by leaps and bounds due to your efforts. Had a chuckle about “Bring your tools,” then you only use a big Crescent wrench and have to borrow a hammer. Congratulations.

[@hilarypower6217]

I'm an over 60's woman and I just love workrooms and tools like this. I looked up Ranalagh straightaway and fell in love. I would be straight in there, stroking everything, and wanting to take it all home. Just love you both x

[@peterhofmann8292]

You can feel the excitement of both Dom and Steve finding these rarities. Glad they were able to save this

[@patrickhostler5939]

I had seen the bike shop was closing down a while back, but I’m so pleased you’ve managed to rescue that great tool. Astounding discovery by Steve!!!❤

[@suem7515]

My father-in-law (who has just turned 90) has always loved and collected old tools. Running a farm here in Victoria 🇦🇺, he became a jack of all trades and found his way to repair almost anything. To this day he still spends hours in his workshop. He loves The Repair Shop but I’ll send him now to your channel as I know he’ll love this too.

[@bobt3374]

Well done Steve & Dom for finding a piece of history it will be good to see what you do next Dom.

[@neilkennykenny4113]

I'm delighted for you finding this piece, if anyone deserves it you do, good look with the wall mounted version.

[@MrMattDat]

As I watch this video, I can't help but wonder what original Ranalah parts might be sitting in boxes on the shelves! Very cool!

[@DominicChineas]

I did have a good look and found 3 lower wheels that’s all

[@highpath4776]

@@DominicChineas The lathe looked tasty too.

[@Praise___YaH]

Guys, here is The Savior HalleluYAH translates “Praise ye YaH” YaH is The Heavenly Father YaH arrives via the TENT OF MEETING YaH was Who they Crucified for our sins YaH was Crucified on an Almond TREE - Ancient Semitic Cuneiform of Moshe (Moses) - Isa Scroll (The Original Isaiah) Isaiah 42:8 "I am YaH; that is my Name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 43:11 I, I am YAH, and there is no other Savior but Me. Isaiah 45:5 I am YaH, and there is none else.

[@helenj8471]

You should definitely do a workshop tour at Steve's one day.

[@terrytopliss9506]

So pleased for you Dom and thank you Steve.👍👍

[@nigelparker5886]

Heritage fever is a great condition! To find, buy and become a custodian for a while of such objects, is to know not just about its manufactured origins, but of the man- hours of skilled work and product output that came from such pieces of old gear! Brilliant find, great little video of you both! Thanks and Cheers!

[@stephenrice4554]

What a great video with those two people . I get absolutely when they were holding that bolt , appreciating the work that went into something 70 odd years ago that's still doing it's job now . There's nothing much made today that'll live up to that , though I'd be happy to be proved wrong

[@chrisjackson9978]

What a great video. Thank you Steve Fletcher for finding it and for letting Dom know. Brilliant.

[@grandaded]

What a find. Great to see the excitement (both of you) ...

[@RedHotChilliMe]

Interesting 🤔 Love old historical tools and workshops 🇬🇧

[@davidberlanny3308]

What a great find, I'm sure one day you will unearth a wall mounted one as well. Good luck from Spain!!

[@oneperspective]

I love the enthusiasm between Steve and Dom when talking about the family through the generations. My great grandfather had a motorcycle dealership and workshop in the north of England in the 20’s and I seem to naturally gravitate to anything involving wheels and oil :-) thanks for this video.

[@edenhoop2096]

How truly reassuring for those of us blessed with a spiritual bent to see good intentions .. beautiful passion .. a willingness to better the world for all being rewarded like this .. Steve & Dom perhaps way back during difficult times now being the shining lights they really are. Watch & learn from them good people ❤

[@VTX1800MC]

Great find, that beam is ash like to see it clean and going.

[@jozsefizsak]

That's so great. It's wonderful to be able to share the thrill of finding this grand old device. Isn't it special that it's no less useful all these years later!

[@neilthompson7723]

What a find. Wonderful how fate worked to connect the right people to save it.

[@westaussiejeff1547]

What a wonderful find.... Very special Steve and how serendipitous that you two know each other......

[@Larry-325]

Just found this video! You guys are great, finding and preserving the past! Love it!!👍👍👍👍

[@adamschorn4258]

Thier joy brings me so much joy! So nice to see. Love all your videos Dom. Thanks for sharing!

[@cynthiaforward1296]

We are so lucky to have people on this show that are so down to earth so loving to people. Thank you

[@rogerfairhurst8705]

Absolutely loved this. You can feel the excitement in the air!

[@timstradling7764]

The excitement, that the normally very placid Steve, engendered in you Dom, transmitted through to me. Fantastic ‘barn find’ magic - love it !!

[@twcmaker]

Hi Dom. I'm thinking the timber part is more likely to be Elm. Seeing the small split in it, going off at a angle makes me think it's Elm. Ash is usually far more straight grained. Elm has been used for hundreds of 'engineered' parts. Think of holding bells in church spires, blocks around propeller shafts etc. Hope this helps Jamie

[@WarHogz]

Hi Dom, there was a BBC 2 programme on last night about tailoring the uniforms and making the equipment for the coronation. There was a lovely old chap who was using a Ranalah to make the helmets for the Horseguards Regiment. One of only two people in the world who can do that particular design. Thought you’d find it interesting.

[@lloydsmith6856]

Absolutely amazing, these guys are the modern day Fred Dinah’s and I love watching them. Thank you so much for sharing this, your such an inspiration for us older folk

[@hughtempleton8640]

Fantastic video and amazing tool . Thanks for sharing ❤️

[@The-RA-Guy]

Hitting it with an adjustable?! My Dad would have gone mental at me! lol Fabulous bolts, different sizes but still doing the job many, many years later. Love it, saving money and proper recycling. Thanks for this Steve and Dom. I share your passion👌😍

[@DominicChineas]

Haha Steve did tell me off! I was just too excited

[@philipgray9155]

Serendipity, fate or whatever - a great intersection of events and two fantastic people. Just wonderful and all so interesting - love it!

[@markm7874]

Wow, what a great find. Old workshops are the best. I'm sure there were a few things in there you'd have loved to put in the back of the van.

[@garrymatthews4430]

Dom that must have been a great day and to have Steve find and help recover it such a plus, keep them coming

[@andyc972]

Excellent stuff Dom, that's what friends are for ! Your enthusiasm for the Ranalah and Steve's reminiscences of his family are infectious, what a great and unexpected link-up and what a great workshop, hoping it doesn't get developed !

[@andyc972]

BTW Dom, can you see if you can get Steve to give us an overview of his tool Carousel that sits on his bench - we only get glimpses during Repair shop and I'm interested to see how its made and it's contents, I'm sure there's would too - I intend to make one for myself !

[@nancyharel9728]

You are wonderful and thank you both for sharing your love for old stunning equipment holding so many memories! 🥰

[@DominicChineas]

Thank you for the support!

[@brian.7966]

the best program ever made, keep it up, the presenters are truly stars.

[@GARDENER42]

What I remember about Whitney is from the mid 70s, when there were 29 pubs along the main road. We tried the half pint pub crawl but never made it half way (was training at Leafield radio station at the time). Guaranteed that Ranalah was used in the production of aircraft during WW2

[@markparry5722]

What a great find and story! The many many mudguards and tanks that have been made on that and headlamps😄 great stuff dom! What's appening with the Bessa!!

[@robingray1302]

Next project, a one piece alloy outer shell for the 356 ?

[@markbonham]

Fantastic find and really enjoying your voyage of discovery. 👍👏

[@donaldprice9569]

Love Steve and Love Dom--the joy that they bring to every project is infectious. Your skill is beyond reproach--long may you both wave.....

[@marieeaton-smith5168]

What a find by Steve, and to share it with you - fabulous.

[@michaelmiller641]

Wow! That was absolutely fascinating! Thanks Dom and company

[@hoperp1951]

Awesome, so much of our social, cultural and industrial history is being lost. So glad little snippets here and there are being discovered and saved by a few dedicated few.

[@tricial4330]

Artisans, gentlemen, so passionate about craft and their world. I had no idea you had a channel, Dominic! Can't wait to see more!

[@donjohnson24]

Great find - but I must admit I was shouting at my screen about the danger of the top part suddenly dropping! Good to see that no damage seemed to have occurred.

[@lynnhaswell1690]

What an exciting find in Witney with Steve 👌😊

[@ronaldkent1971]

Fantastic thanks Dominic & Steve

[@paulgarbarini]

I share your excitement at the discovery. Love it!

[@more.power.]

Hey there! loved your video about the discovery of the Ranalah English wheel, and I have to say, it was absolutely fascinating! I loved seeing how excited both you and Steve were about the find. The information you shared about the potential use of the English wheel in aircraft part production during World War II was really interesting, and it got me thinking about the history behind the tool. It was also cool to hear about your personal associations with the area where the discovery was made. I'm a big fan of the Repair Shop program, and I always enjoy watching the skilled team in action. Congratulations to you and Steve for preserving a piece of history and continuing its legacy by using the tool. Thanks for sharing your excitement and knowledge with us!

[@darinareyacrazyman1505]

Good job saving another piece of history!

[@threeriversforge1997]

That really is a great thing. And it just goes to show the importance of building positive relationships with fellow craftsmen.

[@geoffhann4109]

What a wonderful find. A true friend.

[@Big.Al.3]

What a find. Steve struck gold for you.

[@norriestewart4333]

What a fantastic find and now it's off to a home that appreciates it. It'll be great to see how you restore it to it's former glory. Have to say I was almost shouting at the screen to tie a rope onto the beam or put a softwood block on the floor before you started to unbolt the top section so that it didn't hit the floor with a thud and do any damage. Thankfully it survived and now onto pastures new.

[@samrodian919]

What a great find! Steve you're a treasure, Dom was sooo excited when he realised what you had found for him! You both were right, had Steve not investigated the premises his great grandfather spent a good deal of his working life in, the frame and the wheeling parts would have been weighed in to the scrap metal yard, and that would have been possibly the last Ranalgh of its type gone for ever. Well it's in its spiritual home now in Kent!

[@bigmuz_pilot]

This is amazing, imagine being the custodian for all of this stuff!

[@johnrushworth360]

Steve Fletcher is the brother i wished i had , so kind and gentle

[@moodilove3743]

This was awesome. I feel the same way about old tools...they are truly works of art. I'm glad someone made a comment about the ladder as it was love at first sight for me! My mind was racing with ideas to use the ladder creatively.

[@smd1uk]

Wow. Great find. You two have got me really excited and I’m only watching the video! Looks like yet another project for you Dom 😂.

[@DominicChineas]

Like I need another project! Haha

[@samdalby7271]

What are the chances, eh? And another piece of Ranalah history is preserved..

[@rayhitchman4741]

Like a kid in a sweet shop. Only saying. Damn good find

[@simplysimon9868]

So lucky Steve found this was still in the old family business Dom. What a great video and thanks for letting us see mate.

[@kentmckean6795]

Fabulous find!

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Fabulous, I’m am as excited as you and Steve,I’m love a hunt for old tools and anything of quality like this. Can’t wait to see you renovate it. Two of my favourite people, I’m sure I cajoled have a long conversation with you about all sorts. I too get excited seeing well engineered nuts and bolts….😂. Andy UK

[@DominicChineas]

I can’t wait to get it back to the workshop clean it up and figure out how they made it!

[@rowleyrosie]

@@DominicChineas my ancestors came from Rowley Regis in the Black Country where they made wrought iron nails, rivets, nuts and bolts, later boiler making, tube making, they turned their hands to all sorts of metal working. The first tanks in WW1 were made just down the road. The engineering skills of those people always thrills me, I see the occupation given in a census as a 'nut and bolt maker' or a boilermaker and wonder how much skill and experience was in those hands. So while you and Steve were admiring that bolt, I was wondering where it was made! Delighted that Steve was able to recognise the importance of this tool and direct it into your hands. Wonderful stuff!

[@willgrime]

Really pleased for you, Dom. What an exciting find! Thanks for sharing. Will

[@MusicFan0001]

Very nice find Dominic! For removing all the rust and dirt, I would suggest trying a laser cleaner (-service) for this historical Ranalah! Would make a nice vlog too! Greetings from Holland!

[@yellowgas66]

Congratulations Dom on the find . And I’m still waiting on my mini Ranalah Ha Ha. God Speed Dom keep them coming.

[@DominicChineas]

It’s on the way!!

[@carlhobson1578]

Great find Steve! What a coincidence and what great history!

[@mattWallJsy]

Fantastic stuff! Great save from the scrapyard, and back to who should own it. Grab the steels when they demolish the building perhaps?

[@HarleyGeezer1954]

I just found your channel. I have been watching he Repair Shop for years now. Thanks for keeping history alive.

[@DominicChineas]

Glad you have found us! I hope you’ll stick around

[@HarleyGeezer1954]

@@DominicChineas Indeed I will.

[@RedHunter500]

Sad to see Mike Wheeler closing - great character. But so good to see the old tools appreciated.

[@DominicChineas]

It is sad, but it’s good all of the tools in there are being saved

[@daveflatters4981]

Well done Steve. What a find