Repairing A Carriage Wheel Without Dismantling It

Wooden wheels are complicated to repair because the steel rim needs to be put on hot (it shrinks as it cools and tightens up all the joints). If the wheel has a rubber tyre as well, then the job becomes even more difficult because of the way those are fitted (the wire that runs through the tyre has to be hot-soldered together without melting the rubber). SO, if it is possible to make a repair to a spoke or a felloe without dismantling the wheel, then it has to be worth a try. This is how I did it, because only one felloe was rotten. The repair seems to be fine and practically invisible now that it is painted.
(I forgot to put this up earlier(!) - so it hasn't been posted in sequence. Obviously this should have gone up before the finished hearse video. Oops!)
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[@mikep2246]

Ok, so you inspired me. One of the wooden wheels to my vardo was rotten and needed repair. Everyone pointed me to the Jack Hargreaves videos (out of town) and told me that I had to completely dismantle it, but I remember watching your video a while back and said it could be done otherwise. So, with a bit of work, I finally have my wheel back on the vardo and am ready to roll (once I finish the rebuild). It's not beautiful, but it's functional, and, providing it doesn't fall apart in the first 100 km, then I am more than happy :) Thanks for sharing your work and thanks for giving me the confidence to do it myself!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Well done! I can't remember when I made that video but the wheel is still going strong. It's on a hearse, and doesn't get a lot of work, but I check it carefully everytime, just in case.

[@mikep2246]

Well, I'm thinking the last thing you want to happen is for it to fail when on the job!!! :)

[@Scranny]

Tim, I don't know anything about woodworking, but all of your creative solutions such as measuring the wheel circumference with a pizza cutter (0:11) and cutting out a rounded groove by first cutting teeth into it and then hammering them out easily (1:11) have me convinced that you are a genius. It's beautiful to see.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thank you, Scranny. But really I'm just enjoying experimenting : - )

[@dangarrity7449]

In 2006 I traveled to the Erin isles there was a gentleman there by the name of Connely who could use your expert service on one of his wheels, thank you I will attempt to repair my goatcart here in New Hampshire

[@777daf]

Tim I have been round a lot of corners around the world I am an artist with paint but you are a real artist with any material I have learnt so much from you the only problem is I can't get no work done looking at your videos you are an inspiration thank you my friend from n Ireland

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thank you, Kenneth. (Now go back to work!)

[@workwithnature]

Wicked cool. Looks brand new. You would not know after that it was a repair. Nice work.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks David : - )

[@kenrubo]

When u showed the smooth, sanded felloe, new with old, strong, arched, ready to roll ... it was lemony sweet goodness. Thanks for the treat.

[@ronmartinmhg2804]

Nice job. I have two old Thai cartwheels in my garden. One of which has a bit of rot. I'm not sure if I'm able to do the great job you have done. Or even to track down a piece of the right timber. Thanks for the video. Interesting to watch.

[@aalove2010]

Beautifully done Tim, thanks for sharing.

[@a45graus]

Thanks a lot for this video! I'm in Catalonia, I've to repair a pair of those, this has been very useful! Good job, well done, very instructive! Cheers!

[@ThePara7]

Beautiful work I really enjoy y'all's work ! Thanks

[@battle177]

Thanks for posting this, very informative. I've got about ten wheels that will need this. What type of wood did you use?

[@DigiWongaDude]

Helped a LOT. Many thanks!

[@jonnno100]

Great job, very ingenious!!

[@sjscreations2608]

Well done Tim you are very creative and you use what god gave you, buggered if I know what that is??! Well done. Cheers

[@HHeirloomIA]

I really do enjoy watching you (both of you) work. I learn something new each video. :)

[@WayOutWestx2]

funny - we always learn something new too : - )

[@markbiteler]

Outstanding! Very nice indeed.

[@jeffdakin4307]

Amazing! I have the exact same problem and wonderd how to get round it. Is there a specific wood you use or recommend?

[@rs2143]

Nice repair

[@dlc54]

Nice job I have a similar wheel that has about a 30 in section all rotted, thanks for some tips.

[@WayOutWestx2]

dlc54 Thanks, dic54 - good luck with yours.

[@c.matusevich1881]

very impressive!!

[@berkmanyt]

Are the screws between the spokes just to add some additional strength ? Would screws from side to side ( and then plug the holes) have been worthwhile ? With an opaque paint they would not be visible. Thank you…great job . walt

[@WayOutWestx2]

+berkmanyt Thanks Walt. The screws through the rim are important because they stop the rim working off the felloes. I relied on the glue for joining the two halves and so far, so good!

[@양용수-o2y]

berkmanyt

[@tutnallman]

thank you most informative.

[@youenn2180]

Finest work ! Those who think only the hands are at work are wrong..

[@wefixrimshouston7124]

Great Video

[@joaomorais6572]

Muito bem feito! Ficaria bem se não fosse pintado para se ver ...o arranjo!

[@mikep2246]

So glad I came across this! I took delivery of my trailer that will be used as the running gear of the vardo that I am planning. And, a couple of the wheels have rot. uBuying new is out of the budget, and, I guess I could search around for replacements (they often pop up on the classifieds here) but, I want to try to keep costs down due to my circumstances (I no longer work and I plan on going nomad and touring Europe - I'm a Brit that lives in Latvia at present). I did have a semi Eureka moment last night when I thought of using wood hardener and epoxy, but not sure if it will hold up to the job. Any thoughts? Anyway, another option presents itself after watching this! Thanks!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Yes, I think epoxy might work fine - but it really depends on the stresses it will meet. Heavy loads? Rough roads? I wonder whether you might be better doing the real job so you won't be worrying the whole trip?

[@mikep2246]

Yeah, I agree, although if they can last long enough till I can get replacements then,,,, :) We'll see what transpires (thanks for getting back to me )

[@Darwinator]

I'm gonna show this to my students in math class!

[@johnhiggins9543]

Very good

[@mcransley]

Many thanks for sharing this. Please could you look up, La Trepigneuse, l think you’ll like the idea when you see it, make one and a film about it, (of course), so l can make one too for my horse, using your clever ideas. Michael

[@tropifiori]

Brilliant

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Is *_"felloes"_* an alternate name for *_"spokes"?_* *EDIT→* I posted this comment early in the video. I noticed later you used the word *_"spokes."_*

[@lilomalu5157]

φοβερός

[@qzorn4440]

sweet, something not made in china. thanks.

[@olejake1932]

I'm sure that glue and pine will be there for at least a year. good grief!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Ha! Still going strong all these years later...

[@RattiDave]

Tim, you are a Jack of all Trades, and a Master of Most. How did you ever learn so MANY different crafts, and so well? I have nothing but admiration for your many talents.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Aw, shucks, David. I'm still learning as fast as I can - there are so many interesting things to do!

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

​​@@WayOutWestx2>>> I would say *_"Necessity is the mother of invention."_* Or as I like to say... *_"Necessity is a mother."_* 🤭🤭🤭

[@garden2art262]

I love hove how you just go and do what needs to be done. There are few shining souls out there who are willing to step up and take care of what they have, you are one of those shining souls! I respect your willingness and ingenuity. I enjoy watching how you work out the details of a project. Cheers!! Chris

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks Chris! Actually it's simply that we never have any spare cash at all so we just can't go and buy stuff : - )

[@garden2art262]

Same here, but I like that you actually take care/improve/improvise what you have/need. Too many folks don't take care of what they have and end up with a junk yard and do a lot of whining. I appreciate those who are appreciative of their existence...not wasteful.

[@clivensstuff3289]

now I know one guys way of a repair. 2240 more to go. never stop learning.

[@alopexius]

Cicero could have used this back in tamriel.

[@rchrdgrn]

I would be interested to know if you had any trouble with the tire falling off? Innovative approach to a problem

[@WayOutWestx2]

Tyre still perfect : - )

[@BG-jm9go]

Ye

[@Watch.Write.Ramble]

Neat video! Helped me with writing a short story of mine - - thank you for sharing your skills/knowledge!

[@thundercloud47]

Meticulous workmanship there. You wield the spoke shave as if you've used it a time or two :). Mrs. Tc

[@fynbo1007]

I just enjoyed following your work, thank you for sharing your amazing video. God bless you and your family

[@PRNadh]

Excellent work done, very very interesting the way of doing work to watch.

[@antonioortiz4544]

That's a jolly good felloe!

[@jimmymolo]

You made a great job of that

[@ursulaciller7123]

This is a great help and the solution I have been searching for! Thanks :)

[@WayOutWestx2]

Ursula Ciller Thank you Ursula - glad to help!

[@raffaeleandresano5977]

WayOutWest Blowinblog

[@meehan302]

A skillful job well done. Its easy when you know how!

[@Finolafinlay]

Bloody brilliant!

[@rafaelmedina7473]

question : when the wood spokes bend how can they be Fix ?? I have a wheel that 2 wood spokes are bended and make the wheel wiggle a lot

[@WayOutWestx2]

I don't really know, Rafael - sorry. Perhaps they can be straightened with steam?

[@poco1990]

Great job, I was wondering what u did about that wheel.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Cheers Dan - yep, I was hoping it would cure itself but it didn't happen, so I had to perform the surgery myself.