WAGONS, BUGGIES, AND SLEDS 245 



take in all the wood possible, since this is the weakest 

 point in the axle. They should gradually taper towards 

 the nut so they can be forced on perfectly tight and not 

 have to be bolted, as this weakens the axle. 



346. Gather. In setting the skeins the under side 

 should be nearly parallel with the ground and the center 

 of the nut end should be a trifle farther forward than the 

 shoulder. The former is called bottom gather and the 

 latter front gather. This is so that the wheel will not 

 have a tendency to run towards the nut, to overcome the 

 inclination of the dish of the wheel and keep the box rub- 

 bing against the collar of the skein. If the front edges 

 of the felloes are }/ 2 inch closer together than the back, 

 it is sufficient. 



347. Tire setting is possibly the most important part of 

 wagon making, since the wheels invariably give out long 

 before any other part. In purchasing a new wagon, it is 

 difficult to tell whether the tires are properly set. How- 

 ever, always avoid buying wheels that have more or less 

 dish than stated above. When having tires reset, see 

 that the smith cuts enough out of the felloe to allow it 

 to draw up snugly on to the spokes and force the spokes 

 into the hub perfectly. Do not allow him to cut out so 

 much that when the felloe is drawn together the wheel is 

 dished more than stated above. Should he not cut out 

 enough of the felloe to accomplish the tightness just 

 stated the wheel will be known as felloe bound and it 

 will be only a short time until the spokes will rattle in 

 the rim or squeak at the hub. 



348. The reach in itself is not such an important part, 

 as any person can soon supply a new one. However, the 

 way it is connected to the front axle and passes through 

 the rear is very vital, since it will soon chafe in these 

 places and eventually ruin the gears. See that there is 



