Cartwheels were made here in the 19th and 20th century by successions of Mr “Will the Mill”. From this workshop complete carts and wagons were made right up until the 1960s.
In the room you can see the waterwheel from above, and get a clearer view of how the water from the leat enters through the Launder valve and into the waterwheel – can you remember how many buckets it has?
Wood Turning Lathe
At the back of the room can you see the large lathe that was built here nearly 250 years ago? Originally powered by the waterwheel, it was converted to electricity in the 1950’s when water was diverted away from the mill to a reservoir at Cefn Bryn. We were awarded a Heritage Lottery Grant to convert the lathe back into water power – driven by a belt and pulley from the waterwheel axle downstairs – and is still used by our resident woodturners today.
The two cart wheels are some of the last wheels made by Will the Mill. The wheels would be made in the workshop and then taken to the Smithy to have the iron rims fitted. Outside the complex next to the forge you will see the tyre ring, where the wheels would be placed and doused with water to tighten the rims. Also on display is a colour film from the 1930s showing the Davies family at work in the Smithy constructing a pair of wheels.
Directions to the Woodturner’s Room
As you leave the grinding room and turn to your lett you will see the Coracle Display within the mill leat (the water supply for the waterwheel).
