Wheelturning

Wheelturning is the practice of shaping wheels by removing material on a lathe or other turning machine. It covers traditional wheelwright techniques used to craft wooden wheels for carts and wagons, as well as the turning of metal or composite components in modern wheel manufacture and hobbyist production. In historic contexts, wheelturning combined carpentry, joinery, and metalworking skills to produce a wheel consisting of a hub, spokes, and a rim bound by felloes. The tire or band, if used, was fitted after turning.

Techniques typically begin with mounting a blank on a lathe, followed by rough turning to establish the wheel’s overall diameter and basic profile, then precision turning to form the rim, hub surface, and any spoke holes. For wooden wheels the process may include hollowing, rounding, and fitting of felloes, while metal wheels emphasize concentricity, surface finish, and bore features. Finishing steps include sanding, sealing, and lubrication where appropriate for moving parts.

Tools and equipment include lathes (woodworking or metal), faceplates, centers, steady rests, and a range of cutting tools such as gouges and chisels; measuring devices (calipers, micrometers) to check tolerances; and, for wooden wheels, clamps and mallets used during assembly.

Applications range from historical transport and agriculture to contemporary prototyping and specialized wheel components. In hobby woodturning, makers often produce decorative or period-accurate wheels. While not a mainstream term in modern mass production, wheelturning remains a recognized skill in traditional craft and precision turning.