Part 1 of 3 of this "Trip To Yesterday" blog covered the introduction to the recent Council Grove wagon event as well as a few photos focused on the blacksmithing demonstrations with Jeff McManus. Not only is Jeff an accomplished blacksmith but he is also President of the National Stagecoach and Freight Wagon Association. This Part 2 segment will cover the wheelwrighting and wagon information presentations of Don Werner and myself...
Ricky Day sporting his National Stagecoach & Freight Wagon Association western vest.
Toolbox containing assorted sundries used by Don Werner in his wheelwrighting and wagon-making presentations.
Don Werner is shown preparing to lift the heated wagon tire (metal ring that encircles the wagon wheel) out of the fire. The heat from the fire expands the shrunken metal enough to allow it to be placed over the wheel felloes (rims). Once the metal cools, it contracts tight around the wheel, allowing the entire structure to be sound and solid.
After the heated metal ring (tire) has been placed on the wooden wheel, it's cooled with water, allowing it to shrink tightly on the wheel and helping prevent the hot metal from seriously burning the wood.
After the metal tire has been positioned on the wheel and begun cooling down, Don taps the entire circumference to ensure the tire has shrunk completely and the entire tire has a solid 'ring' to it. All images in this post are Copyright © David E. Sneed, All Rights Reserved.
I was privilged to spend 2 days making presentations and sharing one-on-one discussions related to wagons and western vehicles. The topics covered included countless questions as well as things collectors should consider. Additionally, we reviewed the correct names of wagon parts and accessories, identification of wagon brands once obvious markers are no longer apparent, determining manufacturing dates, unique construction elements, patented features, and more.
Thanks to all of the attendees and the interest shown in learning more about antique wagons, stagecoaches, and western vehicles. Every early vehicle has a language all its own and understanding what happened, when, where, how, and by whom can not only increase appreciation for a set of wheels but may also help raise its resale value. With that said, no two vehicles are exactly alike and it takes an authoritative assessment to distinguish values and unseen differences between many of these rolling works of art.
One piece of advice I consistently gave at the conference was to be wary of accepting unvetted and unsupported information at face value. Social media, in particular, can be full of well-meaning but consistently inaccurate details. Likewise, many pieces have been irreparably harmed by a lack of knowledge related to the vehicle or the treatment thereof. These words are not meant as discouragement but friendly advice to proceed with caution anytime you're working with irreplaceable history.
Part 3 of 3 should be posted soon and it will include highlights of the wagons and winners at the Council Grove show.
Have a great week!
David
Psalm 20:7