Building 1,080 lb Wood Wheels for the Borax Wagons | Massive Wheelwright Work
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 เม.ย. 2017
- This is how we built the heavy wheels for the Borax wagons, from turning 300 lb. hubs to setting 600 lb. tires. The complete wagon building is in the Borax Wagon playlist. Thanks for watching.
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#engelscoachshop#wheelwright#borax
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I'm on my 1st cup of coffee, is it me or is this just pure therapy? I cannot express the amount of quality of workmanship that this takes and displays... Thank You for making my morning..
His voice is so smooth that adds to it
After 44 years on this earth of not really knowing how wagon wheels were put together other than it seemingly looked like a simple assembly. Much more difficult than I thought with great attention to detail. You have showed a wonderful illustration of how this world really works even if it was for a time in history. Great job, and so glad I saw this. Much appreciated, truly.
Undoubtedly, marvelous masterpiece. This a heritage art . It’s about human civilization. Thanks
I’m a framer of 22 years, I build custom homes in Los Angeles. I’ve watched a dozen or so of your videos, your a one in a billion human being. Amazing, thank you for teaching me. I will watch and learn from you as long as you upload videos.
My grandfather (born 1886 in San Luis Obispo, Ca.) drove the 20 mule team wagons as a young man. Loved listening to his stories about his his time as a mule driver of these wagons. Wish the internet was here when he was still alive. He would have gotten a big kick to have seen your videos as I . Thank you for your work and posting this.
An amazing demonstration of how good our ancestors were, and how well some of us can duplicate their work. Kudos.
Fantastic
Imagine doing this with no modern tools! Would've taken years, even with an army of men.
Man's work! All honor and praise to the men who still do this.
I generally don't say much, but I did find your TH-cam channel because of these wheels. I worked for the grading contractor in 1987 who graded the first solar panel segment in Boron, CA. That's where the Borax mine is, so that's what caught my eye. I was fascinated watching you build those wheels and then watching you build the trailers. It was fun watching you going to Bishop, CA to watch the 20 mule team work them. Over the years it has been a so interesting seeing you fix all of the broken wheels and coaches, them building the pretty black buggy. Today I re visited this video and was amazed at the size of those wheels, the size of the spokes, felloes, compared to all of the other spokes you've been working on. Totally amazing!!
Thank you I was born In the Azores came to this beautiful country when i was 3 years .always heard my dad telling his stories of how was a aprantace for a wheelwright. You have just showed me the things he said. My dad has passed away and I want to thank you for sharing this you brought my dad back to me in this 30 minute video .with tear in my eye I thank you may God bless you and your family
My Grandfather Aage Thorsen was a blacksmith in Davenport IA. Just after WWII my grandfather was commissioned by BJ Palmer, the pioneer of Chiropractic, to help restore Barnum and Bailey's Two Hemisphere Bandwagon, the largest ever built. Grandpa was hired to put the steel rims on the wheels. Grandpa couldn't do it in his shop. He got permission from the city to build a fire by the river to heat the rim, install it then into the river to cool the rim. Today his work is still in the museum in Barabo WI.
That’s great to know. Don’t let the old skills die.
Great story. Thanks for the info.
very interesting. My father probably knew Aage. He talked a lot about Barnum and Bailey after wwII
My father was a resident of Davenport
who friggin cares ! This is here and now. Get a life
Fantastic video presentation! No loud, thumping, ear raping music. Great narration. Thoroughly enjoyed watching!
BEAUTIFUL!! Back in about 1970, I was in a conversation with a friend at Camp LeJeune, NC. ... talking about "old stuff." Subject of wagon wheels came up and my friend said he'd get me one. When he returned, from a leave down in Alabama, he brought me a 14-spoke, three-foot-eight-incher. Just took it off an old farm wagon that had been sitting for years out on his dad's property. The wheel is built just like those you are showing ... and is still with me. I've always kept it indoors. Now that I've seen your video, I appreciate the relic all the more ... time to dust it off and hit with some good doses of linseed oil. Thanks a million! More power to you fellows.
Wow... I can tell you I was more than happy to spend 30 minutes watching this process. Incredible. I had no idea there was anybody doing such work anymore. One can imagine all the labor that went into such things 100 years ago without the aid of forklifts and all the other modern tools. Still a big labor of love and I was glad to see it.
I can't really tell you why I spent half an hour watching a video on making coach wagon wheels, but I'm kinda glad I did.
I don't own a wagon, or live on a farm...but I like Hern Iron works for their cannons. Of course, you would need wheels for your field artillery piece, and while the scale here is larger than the cannon I could afford, a smaller version of their wheel would be a fine addition. Pleasing to watch craftsmen at their craft.
It seems like a completely pointless waste of good wood. What is the point of making these 1000 lb wheels? What is the point of making them using modern tools?
The point of making them, is to fit them to a 20 mule team wagon.
After a bit more checking out, they seem to specialize in restoration of coaches and coach making. Excellent workmanship though.
They sure do. If you need something made special that is period accurate...these are the folks to go speak with.
I'm glad there is still people out there such as yourself. May a horse never step on you.
Hats off and a deep bow to the old timers that did this without any power tools!
There is nothing like watching true craftsmen working together to produce a beautiful product. How could anyone not like it? It would take half of the 20 mule team to move the empty wagon.
An absolute joy to watch. Never thought I'd spend half an hour watching how a wagon wheel is made but here we are
There are NO limitations when you are talented. Thanks
AS A MANUFACTURING ENGINEER I WAS FASCINATED BY THE HISTORIC TECHNOLOGY AND THE APPLICATION OF SKILLS THANKS FOR HELPING US SEE THIS HISTORY APPLIED - PETE
This video contributes to sound mental health. As I watch all the steps I feel my blood pressure drop, my anxieties ease and my mood lighten.
Thanks
What an amazing project and amazing video,this video really deserves stronger promotion out there ! This project should of been a National Geographic or History channel documentary.
I came here from the Essential Craftsman channel. This is absolutely fascinating!
Wow, you people are not only craftsmen, you're artists!
I thought we lost these skills, you put a smile on my face, great teamwork
Great work love this kind of work great skill great finish one time this was done without the help of Electricty
Great work love this kind of work great skill great finish one time this was done without the help of Electricty
How interesting is that, I never realized how big and heavy those wheels were. There is quite a bit of engineering and labor to build one. It’s amazing that that type of wheels were made over 100 years ago. It really gives you something to think about big those mule teams were back then. An enormous amount of work.
I’m from Puerto Rico I watched some of you show when you was making the clock so I like what you do, It’s good to have some body like you doing all this jet,blessings to you and your family
Awesome like a thunderstorm, and mesmerizing like a fairy tale, all at the same time. Very much impressed!!!
Excellent job and craftsmanship. Can you imagine doing this in the day without power tools, wow? My dad if he was alive would be 103 and grew up on a ranch in s. Colo. I asked him as a kid once what was the most valuable thing on the ranch growing up, his answer was wagon wheels. Because of the intense effort and material needed. Thank you!
Huge respect to you all for the craftsmanship... and at least as much for the people who figured this out initially with 1800s technology!
THAT is quite the process. It would have been something to see them building the first wheels for these wagons. It truly is a joy to watch craftsmanship at its best.
I had no idea that much labor went into it. A tribute to you and our industrial ancestors!
In 1999 I was tasked with the production and assembly of the wheels for the cannons in the movie the Patriot,due to the conditions and different capabilities of the equipment and differences in a cannon wheel and a wagon wheel as the cannon wheel required a streak(multiple tire plates=6) rather than a wheel rim band(tire) ,this is quite and interesting display of how it's done.Well done and presented.
You won the internet this millennia.. awesome & best U tube video I've ever watched.
I did not look at the run time but was so interested in it as it ended, I then saw the time. Was about the best time that I have ever spent on You Tube to watch something of pure knowledge that was gained by watching and listening. You have one hell of a good crew there and hope they are still with you all. Thank you for sharing a making of old fashion history. I will be sending this out to some friends as they love items like this. Your explanation of how and why the tires were built was by far the most excellent for something like this that I have ever listened too.
I'm so glad I stumbled over this video. To watch such craftsmen create these enormous wheels by hand, using technology from a long-gone era, brought a welcome bit of pleasure - just knowing that such detail and skill still remains in this world! You folks there at Engel's certainly have earned our highest regard and respect!
Beautiful art kept alive by these men.
These wheels are some of the most beautiful craftsmanship I've ever seen. Thank you for posting this video.
As a cabinetmaker and a welder I can see and appreciate the workmanship and knowledge these guys have. Great work fellows!
This is the 3rd time I've watched this and each time was as rewarding as the last to watch skilled craftsmen do the job they love. its obvious it is a labor of love as much as economic need/value. thank you for producing the video and sharing it with the public/me! It is greatly appreciated.
A wheelwright shop of 1850 and later must have been a real central hub (pun intended there!) of a town on the way to the gold fields. The labor would have been intensive and the product expensive. The poor miners should have just given up on seeking gold, as the real money would have been made in the wheel shops. I looks like it took stout men and strong boys to do the work -- amazing. The technology would have been primative by today's standards, but it must have been an awesome sight to see from the 19th century operations. Iron and wood -- a lost craft from the by gone days. Thanks and cheers to all involved. Bob in Montana
Just watched this with my 4 years old grandson. He found your video more entertaining than his Transformers toy!! There is hope for humanity still!!!
Brian Garrow - a seed is sown? It just may be your grandson will be one to carry on a tradition that is important to Grampa. Who knows?
this presentation was one of the most entertaining and enjoyable program we have ever viewed
I am glad that you have younger guys this craft, if I had started following you sooner I would have known this. Great job, I had a motorcycle wreck back in January 15 2012. That due to having great insurance, the doctors have been more interested in making money instead of helping me recover. So after 23 operations I still have to use a wheelchair to get around. So since I cannot work. I spend a lot of time on my computer watching people rebuilding things because I am a craftsman on several different things so I watch things like what you do. So thank you for giving me something wholesome to watch! Because there is so much garbage on the internet! Keep it up, I enjoy watching someone with a great skill! Thank you once more for giving me something great to pass the time!
This was history in the making! Glad you had so many guys to help you and they got to learn in the process. Outstanding that the trade won't be lost and forgotten.
Cooperative work at it’s best. How organized these men are working to achieve one end.
When I was ten years old, my father bought a farm, and on that farm there was an old seed drill, that had spoked wheels,even then I was mesmerized as to how these wheels where made,..you guys are true wheel wright's... thank you from Harby, Leicestershire England.
Amazing - Real men like my Father who passed in 1979 at 72. He made sure my brother and I spent time in his best friends black smith in Wolf City Texas. This all brings back those memories and I can even smell the coal and steam just watching. Engels family, thank you. This is a beautiful trip back and two wonderful machines from a time when our country really was strong, vibrant and reality was lived out in the heart, not the fantasy our next generation faces now. Don’t ever stop. John in Salem, Oregon
My wife and I lived in Joliet when we were first married, my Aunt and Uncle ran the laundromat, (Ernie and Nona McClure), My other Uncle and Aunt had a farm close to town, and my aunt sold real estate out of an office on the east end of town, (Ronald 'Dode' Macy and his wife Ruth.) It is a joy to watch this channel, both for the quality and beauty of the work you do, and the occasional glimpse of Joliet. Thanks for taking us along for the journey as the wheels are built, and for some memories along the way.
Real work done by real people, what a concept! Thumbs up!
Hi! I'm Steve Weaver, and I was the last wagon wright at Dollywood along with the shop lead Steve Edwards! Steve and I built many wheels, but nothing like this! These videos are fabulous! BTW, you may know a mutual acquaintance, Don Cornett of Cartersville, GA. Don is a good friend, and we are proud to know him! Thank you for posting these videos! This is the kind of activities that really mean something! God Bless!
I have helped build a Violin w/ old school tools ... I can't even imagine how they made those wheels back in the 1700 and 1800
much learning, much time, much effort, much skill!, not much pay! that's how.
TheSmreeder r
Why were the "belly" sections (I think that's what you called them) of the wheel made with 2 pieces of wood glued and bolted together? And not just 1 solid piece of wood with no bolts?
That was really great, thanks for sharing the process!
My grandfather was a Cavalryman, and a stable sergeant in the old Army. The Cavalry was not only troopers who charged against the enemy on horseback, a large number of wagons were required to haul the tents, ropes, food, feed, kitchen, and everything else a troop needed when it was out-and-about. As stable sergeant, my grandfather had to qualify as a teamster (wagon driver), have a fair amount of veterinary knowledge, he had to know how to make horse shoes and shoe a horse, not to mention being able to oversee the repairs on the wagons. He left the Army in 1946 after serving in the Pacific, being one of only two members of his old troop to service the war. The horses were taken away in the 1930's, and replaced with motor vehicles. But it was amazing what skills my grandfather learned in the Army. He built is own house, there was nothing he could not make or repair. It is nice to see that there are those who still practice what were once very common and necessary trades.
I never knew how much work was involved in making just one wagon wheel. From the blacksmith pounding and bending the iron to the craftsman cutting and shaping the wooden spokes and wheels. Without power tools this must have taken the old timers many days or weeks to complete. I really appreciate the work involved. Thanks for making this video.
They did have water or steam driven tools. Lathes, drills etc in the factories.The people building Red River carts to haul buffalo hides and meat did the building and en-route repairs with hand tools.
Thanks you so much for taking the time and trouble to both do the job initially, and take care whilst doing it, also for filming it and explaining it all so well, I have enjoyed watching it from beginning to end.
Take a bow.
Fantastic video, your voice is so easy listening, and your explanation of the process is excellent.
Thanks for showing your work. It was great to watch.
Regards Shayne......Australia
Rusty Panels
His voice isn't just easy to listen to. It's like even the end of the world wouldn't be able to get his blood pressure rise.
You only REALLY can.
When. And if. You TRULY can.
Well done gents.
Very Well!!
I am so impressed with you folks craftsmanship that I have watched this video three times in the past year. I would enjoy your comments or stories regarding how it was done when the wagons were first crafted. No electrical tools, forklifts, lathes, etc. Just hand tools, inventiveness, skilled craftsmen and methods of the day. Steel tires shipped by rail from some steel mill in what is now known as the rust belt, no internet to order them, a wagon and mules to freight them in from the rail head, so that was fantastic in itself, crafted in a mill, precisely enough to arrive in a shop like yours to fit hand crafted oak wheels. If your viewers have never worked with oak, be warned. It is a very tough wood to craft. Hammers, chisels, hoists and sand paper, western heat, weather and brute strength of the day. Feeding those men to keep them strong, work Injuries, delivery time lines, financing, invoicing. 4 wheels per wagon, hundreds of wagons. Hundreds of mules. Raise, feed and care for them. Our forefathers were simply amazing. I am proud that your folks keep the skill alive. Thanks for showing us lazy, fat, couch potato Americans.
My Grandfather thought us children about a time when men and women were very proud of the work they did to build anything..but not so much today.....Thank you for making this beautiful video.. something I can show my children.
Sir, Bouvier Fitzgerald l
I love watching true craftsmen create works of useful art. Thanks for sharing this!
Atouk Hey!!! My arts useful . . . . . . I think.
Is there such a thing as a fake craftsman, or a failed craftsman ?
I think not.
PLS USE YOUR MIND AND TONGUE WITH SOME MEASURE OF ACCURACY.
I often wondered how these wheels were crafted and I watching this video answer this question this was great workmanship by real men who knew what they were doing those who put a thumbs down on here have no clue about anything else they probably think the world is square
It's very gratifying to see these skills alive in America.
It’s amazing to think of the years of wheel manufacturing and design that got us here.
Man I got to say I love watching these fellas work . And the wagons and wheels . Wow .
I found you trying to understand wood bending better, but have been drawn in by your amazing craftsmanship...and hey is there a tool you dont own, or a building skill you dont have 😂👍🏻 AWESOME work! Incredible! I am literally in awe, cause I understand the work required 👏
Definitely one of the best videos on TH-cam.
Fantastic video, incredible skills. A stunning finished product. The guy doing all the machining, Calvin, is a very brave man not wearing any eye protection, but what an incredible craftsman.
Most impressive craftwork if not fine art. Thanks for sharing.
As another gentleman wrote, this should be on National Geographic!
We can truly appreciate just how talented the first wheel builders were and how strong they had to have been. Beautiful wheels. Great job.
Fantastic!
I was so engrossed in this that I did not realize until the part where they built the fires outside that I had seen this same video a year two ago.
Not only fascinating but deserving of applause.
I would love to get involved in such a project, but not having the skills and living in the land of the rising sun kind of puts an immediate end to that idea.
Thanks a lot for this.
Would love to see more.
EDIT.
Oh! Subscribed for more....
Very cool video. I'm a Tool & Die Maker by trade and really appreciate the work and skill involved in making these wheels. Thank you for sharing the methodology in making wood wheels with steel tires.
Outstanding! I am amazed and impressed to see that these skills still exist.
I am watching you putting steel tires onto those canon wheels on a large screen where I cannot comment.
I am using this show for commenting by my iPhone. Terrific job, sir. Every movement is predetermined and planned for a single man doing it. I know that you are 29 years younger than I am, but still, at your age this is fantastic. Pleasure to watch. Thanks.
That Old Bob
The benefits of completing the process in a small town; no bureaucracy or ordinances complicating the execution of the task. Looks like a well assembled, skilled and coordinated team with impressive results.
There was just something that compelled me to watch through to the end........what wonderful traditional skills!
with fancy machines....
After watching this video and the humongous effort to make a wagon wheel I think back to the past. In the past they did not have all this machinery and supplies. How did they manage? Wow!
They managed it really easily, using saws, hammers, planes, lathes and all the other EXACT SAME machines that were used in this video.
Wagon wheels weren't made by neanderthal cave men, you know?
The 20 Mule Team episode was just amazing and a trip to Death Valley is well worth it just for the whole Borax story! Great work guys!!
I'm not sure I've ever witnessed a craftsman who is at the top of so many different trades; welding, metallurgy, woodworking, leather, upholstery, tool&die...etc...the list goes on. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed watching you work. Add making excellent video's to your list of accomplishments.
I worked at The George Ranch (Richmond/Rosenberg Texas) who had many show wagons and 8 hitches. I wonder if you ever did work for them.
I would love to come work with you sometime.
Imagine all this being done in the 1700s and 1800s all by hand with no machines. Amazing craftsmanship.
thats why there are lots of coopers ,smiths and millers in the phonebook. it took a lot of people .
Awesome
Your country was industrialized long before: th-cam.com/video/rt6zYhiPrTU/w-d-xo.html
@@organicdudranch Did not know that about Cooper
Kanari fluiten
This is called craftsmanship of the highest level. And it's an entertaining video, too. Thanks for posting it.
It helps those who are not trade oriented to appreciate ALL the labor, at times intense, to do those things that go relatively unnoticed. I was just a framing carpenter and I sure enjoyed this. Sure would like to come and help you fellas for a couple days!
I formerly lived in Mojave California near where the Borax mines were located. I was able to read and learn much on how the process was done. With seeing how the wagons and wheels were restored makes the history all the more valuable.
كيف حالك
What can I say?-Simply fabulous and enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you for making this video and sharing it.
Great video, Teamwork, project management, persistence, understandable commentary all great. Thanks for this.
Thank you for posting. I admire folks who make things with their hands.
Since I was a kid, I was fascinated with wheels. I'm pushing 70 now, and have drawers full of wheels of all sizes, awaiting attachment... to something...
I am a craftsman/artist. I felt like I was right there, helping out... wonderful video.
This certainly gives me an appreciation for the skills, craftsmanship and hard work of the wheelwrights and carpenters of the old west. You can see how much work goes into making these wheels even with modern day power tools. It's hard to imagine how much time and effort it took the old masters 200 years ago doing everything by hand. Great video!
Surprisingly, not that terribly much longer although they tended to have more man power for lifting etc when needed. Have a read of my answer above for more information.
search "OK lads - it's hammer time - Chinese Heavy Flange Forging" liveleak
is the website you're searching for.
When you watch the news today... you begin to loose faith in humans, but when you watch the build of these mammoth wheels... you see what humanity is capable of achieving, and have achieved.
inspiring to say the least.
That was the most pleasant video I've watched in ages.
Amazing craftsmanship in a seemingly lost art. Glad to see someone carrying on old traditions and work.
True pieces of art.
Made an incredibly difficult job look easy, particularly the fitting of the steel tyres
Why am I not surprised that these guys are from Montana? Well done, gentlemen.
I built a 30” wagon wheel (8 spokes) from watching u tube videos. It was a rewarding experience, my wife said “ What you gonna do with that?” I said “ why, I’m gonna set her out front on the porch” she said “ no way, it don’t fit our decor.” So I gave it to my girlfriend. She made it into a lamp. She’s very creative that way, I like that in a woman.
I might make another one now, after watching this fantastic video.
Wow. Just incredible craftsmanship, a very talented team working as a team. For once I will not comment on Health and safety.
I really like the problem solving and building of jigs, burning the offcuts for heating the tires etc. I am an engineer who enjoys watching others achieve.
Very nice video, very enjoyable, long may you prosper.
actually it's way better than my craftsmanship
This is why i like you tube. Fascinating video on wheel making. Thanks for showing.
My grandfather had a blacksmith shop in 84 Pennsylvania, the home of 84 Lumber Company. When I was a kid I was at his shop with my dad and I got to see him put a tire on a wagon wheel and was impressed of the heat shrink process. The one he did was much smaller and a lot lighter duty than yours but it brings back memories of my grandfather.
That is what you call teamwork! Awesome job !
Amazing craftsmanship - a wheelwright is mastery on it's own, at this scale, it is downright awesome! - thank you for sharing this
Nick Ferry ft.
The art goes back to the Romans. How much before them? I should be looking it up!
SOMEDAY, I believe, this craft will be greatly needed once more. That will be not long as we blow the "civilized" world to the sky. Important to know that these skills are NOT obsolete.
@@zelphx amen. Unfortunately.😢
Searb reath unlikely to be that cheap.
Impressive craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing the whole process with the rest of the world.
Every now and again I revisit this video one more time! Apologies in advance, but I can't help watching it again, as it give me an uplift every time I watch this and the rest of the Borax wagon series. Cheers to Mr Engels (Dave), as I really enjoy your dulcid tones and the level of understanding / skill when taking us on a journey in these modern day glimpses that reflect the processes of the days gone by.... Great work.
20 mule team borax. Hello folks, I’m the Old Ranger. Brings back great memories.