Wheelwright

A wheelwright is a craftsman who builds and repairs wooden wheels for carts, wagons, carriages, and other vehicles. They select durable hardwoods such as ash, elm, or white oak, and craft hubs, spokes, and rims. They may also fit and repair iron tires that encircle the wheel.

Construction begins with forming a hub that fits the axle, then lacing or pegging spokes to the hub and to felloes—sections that form the wheel's rim. The felloes are joined around the circumference, the rim is mounted, and the iron tire is driven on. The wheel is then trued and stress-tested for load and alignment.

In repair work, wheelwrights replace broken spokes, re-spoke wheels, re-torque rims, and re-seat or replace hubs, rims, or tires. They must ensure roundness, true perpendicularity of the axle, and proper spoke tension. Restoration often involves choosing period-appropriate woods and hardware.

Historically, wheelwrights were essential in rural and urban economies and often belonged to crafts guilds; they typically worked with blacksmiths for iron tires and fittings. In modern times, the vocation persists in heritage wagon restoration, custom wooden wheels for carriages, and artisanal projects.