BODY
The body of the wagon consists of two side-members joined at each end and in
the middle by three transverse members. The sides, head and floor of the wagon
is then constructed upon this framework. A number of uprights with horizontal
rails are then placed on either side of the wagon.
WHEEL
If the vehicle was designed to be used on a road, then a large rear wheel made
it roll easier, but at the same time made it more difficult to load. Having
too large a wheel at the front created difficulties in turning or manoeuvreing
the vehicle.
NAVE
The nave of the wheel was made from a single piece of elm. Elm has the ability
to withstand splitting or splintering due to its twisting grain which was an
important feature, as ten to fourteen holes has to be made for the spokes as
well as the centre hole for the axle.
SPOKE
The spokes of the wheel were more often made of oak but were occasionally made
from elm. The number of spokes used by the wheelwright may have varied by region,
with between ten and fourteen spokes being the preferred number. As efforts
were made to provide a stronger wheel the design and setting of the spokes underwent
some change, however, the practice of staggering the spokes did not become common-place
till the close of the nineteenth century.
RIM
The rim of the wheel was made from a number of sections called 'felloes', with
two spokes per fellow. The rim varied in width (termed tread), with those vehicles
with a tread wider than four inches being termed 'broad wheeled' while those
under four inches were referred to as 'narrow wheeled'.