wheelwrights

Wheelwrights are craftsmen who make and repair wooden wheels for horse-drawn vehicles, such as carts, wagons, and carriages. Historically an essential trade in many communities, wheelwrights worked alongside blacksmiths, carpenters, and wagoners to keep transport moving.

A wooden wheel consists of a hub, spokes, and felloes forming the wheel's sides, plus an iron or steel tire that fits around the rim. Traditional wheelwright work begins with selecting and preparing timber (commonly ash or oak) and turning the hub, then shaping and fitting the spokes, assembling the felloes, and finally applying and seating the tire. The wheel is trued for roundness and alignment before it is finished and fit to an axle.

Construction and repair involve specific methods: shaping spokes to fit the hub and rim, bending and fitting the felloes, and driving on a tight iron tire, often by heating it and drawing it over the wheel. Repairs include replacing cracked or warped spokes, re-shaping the rim, and retying with iron tires. Tools include saws, drawknives, spoke shaves, chisels, mallets, and a wheel jig.

History and modern context: In medieval and early modern Europe, wheelwrights formed guilds and were closely linked to wagoners and blacksmiths. With the rise of automobiles in the 20th century the trade declined, but traditional wheelwrighting persists in restoration workshops and specialty carriage makers. Contemporary wheelwrights may construct new wheels for historic vehicles, or offer repair and wheel truing services; some work with modern materials, but most emphasize hand-built wooden wheels.

Wheelwrighting remains a niche craft in areas with carriage restoration and historical vehicle hobbyists.