Woman Wheelwright
From the collection of
From the collection of
Wheelwright shows us how it's done.
Katrina Atkinson uses traditional tools and skills in her work as a wheelwright. She works closely with a blacksmith to ensure a proper fit for the two components of the wheel they are working on. The iron tyre is made slightly smaller than the wheel in circumference, expanded by heating in a fire, it is then hammered and pulled onto the rim of the wheel whilst still hot. The hot tyre is then cooled by pouring water on to it, which shrinks the metal onto the wooden wheel snugly. Here we see this in action.