Old wheelwright's shop in Biesfeld

The former wheelwright's house was bought by Robert Braun and his wife Christine, née Enkler, in 1903. The original house was single-storey and only had a first floor. Before 1903, it was probably used as a restaurant. The house was extended in 1924 in the Bergisch half-timbered style. Above the first floor, the two upper storeys have sloping sides with different inclinations.

Robert Braun ran a wheelwright's workshop. The small workshop was located next to the house to the east, as can still be seen today. This building was also partially built in the Bergisch half-timbered style. The cross on the front of the house was already there in the same place in 1903. Josef Braun, Robert's son, took over the wheelwright's workshop in 1923. Josef was married to Maria, born Kraus. The wheelwright's workshop produced wooden wagon wheels for various carts, hay carts, a variety of cart types and also adjustable wooden barriers for cows in farm stables until around 1955. Apprentices were also trained in the cartwright's workshop. Hannes Braun, a brother of Josef, had built a forge opposite the wheelwright's house in the 1920s. Here, steel (wrought iron) components such as tires for wagon wheels, axles and accessories were manufactured. Hubert Braun, another brother, ran a shoemaker's shop in the wheelwright's house. All three brothers practiced their trade and had corresponding master craftsman's certificates. The wheelwright's house remained in family ownership and today serves as a home.

The wheelwright craft

In rural areas, the wheelwright was not only responsible for the manufacture of farm and transportation equipment, but also for the production and maintenance of many wooden tools and devices that were indispensable for work. The wheelwright was one of the oldest village craftsmen and was indispensable in rural areas. The only material the wheelwright had to work with was wood.

Wheelwrighting used to play an important role in transportation. Here is a brief description of how wagon wheels were made. It was the specific job of the wheelwright. This work required special experience and skill.

The spokes were made in stock, just like the rim pieces, and had to be stored for at least three years. The wheel hubs were usually turned on a lathe. Before being driven into the hub, the spokes were heated (boiled) in a kettle. The wheel hub was drilled by hand using special drilling tools. The conical hub bore was fitted with a steel bushing by the blacksmith. The finished wheel with its rim was finally shod with a steel tire. To do this, the wheel had to be transported to the forge. The heated and red-hot steel tire was mounted on the wooden wheel. After the tire was mounted, the wheel had to be immersed in a water bath. Of course, the axles were also made of steel and were prepared in the forge. Here is an example of the interaction between wheelwright and blacksmith, as it must have been with the Braun brothers.