HUGE Ranalah Discovery! | With Steve Fletcher
2023 ж. 22 Сәу.
287 466 Рет қаралды
I received an exciting message from The Repair Shop's resident horologist, Steve Fletcher, enticing me to his hometown of Witney, Oxfordshire, where he said there was something I would be very interested in, hidden inside a beautiful old historic motorbike workshop.
Thanks to Steve for the find! / stevefletcher.clocks
Thanks for watching! If you're enjoying my journey, please subscribe for free! You'll receive notifications when I upload a new video - every Sunday at 5pm (GMT)!
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LINKS:
www.dominicchinea.com
Dom's Instagram: / dominicchinea
Ranalah Ltd's Instagram: / ranalahltd
Edited by Dan Cross: / djcross87
It is so heartwarming to see people excited about their work. Then I find Dom's channel, then there's Steve, who is just as excited. Two beautiful people who make me happy to know they're in the world.
This is my favorite. I love everyone from the repair shop, but if I'm honest this is 1A and 1B and to see them so excited together about this is so fun. I love how excited Steve is to show you something he knows you'll get enjoyment from is equally as fun as your excitement. It reminds me of my buddies and I when we were younger and just having so much fun doing this kind of thing. Well done guys.
Was just thinking what to comment & you've said it all sir, couldn't agree more.
What a joy to see two craftsmen so happy and excited about tools! I love how you took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of the bolt and nut! What a wonderful video
I live in Canada and the Repair Shop is my favorite British TV show. So to find you on you tube was amazing and then Steve pops in it really made my day. Thank you both for a very enjoyable video.
I absolutely love the Repair Shop programmes and am left in awe at the amazing skills that the team exhibit. I was born and brought up in Witney and I well remember Steve Fletcher's dad, John. My mum used to take her watch to his shop in Corn Street for repair. In the 1950s/60s, my dad had an engineering works at the back of the Blanket Hall, just a few doors away from Mike Wheeler's, which also had back doors just a short length from the river Windrush. When I was a kid, Wheeler's was Rudge's motor bike shop. So all this has personal associations and is so fascinating. I'd heard that Wheeler's was closing, but had no idea that this old workshop was still there at the back.
My father-in-law (who has just turned 90) has always loved and collected old tools. Running a farm here in Victoria 🇦🇺, he became a jack of all trades and found his way to repair almost anything. To this day he still spends hours in his workshop. He loves The Repair Shop but I’ll send him now to your channel as I know he’ll love this too.
Just love watching Steve repair clocks and the other things he turns his hands to amazing
Great to see two very genuine guys who love their work completely in their element. I started life as an engineer and followed my dad into that world. It was only when I became an engineer that I appreciated how he was feeling when he could not find a tool that I had borrowed and not put back..... now I too treasure tools........ This kind of passion is just what we need, keep up the good work guys, always facinating to watch 🙂
We are so lucky to have people on this show that are so down to earth so loving to people. Thank you
Good old Steve Fletcher for knowing that it was a rare and precious object. Nice to see you working together to achieve something too.
Great find Dom. I ex army and a bit of a ww2 history geek. Steve mentioning De Haviland is interesting. The war department tasked small workshops just as this to make aircraft parts during the war. This idea was to spread out production ,so that it would be impossible for the Germans to bomb just one factory and halt production. If it was used for De Haviland parts it would have almost certainly have been for the Mosquito. A primarily wooden plane but incorporating some metal panels. The other alternative could be that the wheel was at the nearby De Haviland factory and sold of after the war. The fact you found it so close to an old aircraft factory makes it almost certainly to have come from there. If so a real piece of british history . Credit too you and Steve for saving it ,to keep the history alive.
If not in situ from new could equally have come from any post WW2 sell off
@@highpath4776 yes maybe, but what the hell would they have wanted such a large machine with which to wheel? My money is what Ian Lane said, small workshops ordered to produce parts for the WW2 aircraft industry. Which is far more likely.
@@samrodian919 I'd guess that after the DH factory closed, the fittings were sold off very cheaply and the bike shop saw an opportunity to obtain a useful tool.
Thank you for the info, very educational!
I was raised in a tool manufacturing town in the northeast. My dad was the guy you went to when your gizmo wouldn’t work, or wobbled. He knew a guy who knew.,.so I love watching these guys..,
I think you met the stunt Steve, today, as this one only has the one pair of glasses on his head. The 'hero' version wears many more 😂
How lucky that Steve found that and knew the exact person who would love and appreciate it. It was fun to watch the two of you geeking out about history and old tools.
Dom's had a haircut and looks 20 years younger! I've just been round an old bicycle repair shop that was set up in the 1920's and left in the 1980's and not touched since, it had a very similar vibe to that place. The bit where the wood dropped was pure 'Only Fools and Horses' - nice to see 2 guys working with no safety equipment and not a risk assessment in sight!
Steve shakes with joy watching Dom frozen absolutely solid with happiness. Priceless 😅
Artisans, gentlemen, so passionate about craft and their world. I had no idea you had a channel, Dominic! Can't wait to see more!
Awesome find. Steve is a legend .this will be another part of your Ranalah working history future museum
Hi Dom,a friend of mine who has sadly passed away worked at the ranalah factory during the sww described how there was twenty wheels in a row fixed to the floor and ceiling. During the day the constant pressure of all the wheels lifted the ceiling which was also the floor above so when they finished they had to slacken all the wheels off to stop them damaging the wheels.
There is nothing quite like finding that one elusive tool that has been hiding from you for years. To have a friend be the one to introduce you to it is the icing on the cake. Brilliant find...I couldnt help noticing the anvil on the floor just by the ranalah .......
I have to imagine that when one gets a text from Fletcher saying "get over here!" that there isn't a moment's hesitation.
Amazing what you’ve achieved in two years. Not letting life pass you by Dom. Thanks for the inspiration
Fantastic. No doubt the knowledge of even the existence of Ranalah has increased by leaps and bounds due to your efforts. Had a chuckle about “Bring your tools,” then you only use a big Crescent wrench and have to borrow a hammer. Congratulations.
You should definitely do a workshop tour at Steve's one day.
Two of the best guys on the planet saving a piece of history. Whats not to love? Make sure it's put to work so that the history can continue in your name. Similarly, I like to buy old tools, restore them and use them. When I pick them up I always wonder what the previous owner may have created with them. I look forward to using them, creating and then passing them on and teaching my children how to use them. I could totally feel what you felt when you took that apart to be the new custodian. Just brilliant.
What an amazing find and what an amazing video. As a retired engineer I could spend days in there just finding gems, soaking up the atmosphere and ghosts of the past.
Two of my absolute favourites from the Repair Shop. Their enthusiasm is so hearttwarming, even though I haven't a clue what the thing could be used for!
What an amazing twist of fate. You were obviously meant to have that Ranalah ❤️
So pleased for you Dom and thank you Steve.👍👍
I had seen the bike shop was closing down a while back, but I’m so pleased you’ve managed to rescue that great tool. Astounding discovery by Steve!!!❤
What I remember about Whitney is from the mid 70s, when there were 29 pubs along the main road. We tried the half pint pub crawl but never made it half way (was training at Leafield radio station at the time). Guaranteed that Ranalah was used in the production of aircraft during WW2
Great find, that beam is ash like to see it clean and going.
Epic. This really is. Steve & Dom, no repair shop production team... just pure proper heritage stuff. Fantastic. Ty
As I watch this video, I can't help but wonder what original Ranalah parts might be sitting in boxes on the shelves! Very cool!
I did have a good look and found 3 lower wheels that’s all
@@DominicChineas The lathe looked tasty too.
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I love the enthusiasm between Steve and Dom when talking about the family through the generations. My great grandfather had a motorcycle dealership and workshop in the north of England in the 20’s and I seem to naturally gravitate to anything involving wheels and oil :-) thanks for this video.
Just found this video! You guys are great, finding and preserving the past! Love it!!👍👍👍👍
I love your excitement. What an amazing find.
Interesting 🤔 Love old historical tools and workshops 🇬🇧
What a great video. Thank you Steve Fletcher for finding it and for letting Dom know. Brilliant.
Beautiful!
What a great video with those two people . I get absolutely when they were holding that bolt , appreciating the work that went into something 70 odd years ago that's still doing it's job now . There's nothing much made today that'll live up to that , though I'd be happy to be proved wrong
What a great find, I'm sure one day you will unearth a wall mounted one as well. Good luck from Spain!!
Great find, beautiful old workshop.😀
Fabulous find!
I'm delighted for you finding this piece, if anyone deserves it you do, good look with the wall mounted version.
Wow! That was absolutely fascinating! Thanks Dom and company
Well done Steve. What a find
What a wonderful find. A true friend.
Great find Steve! What a coincidence and what great history!
Well done Steve & Dom for finding a piece of history it will be good to see what you do next Dom.
What a find. Great to see the excitement (both of you) ...
Love Steve and Love Dom--the joy that they bring to every project is infectious. Your skill is beyond reproach--long may you both wave.....
Really pleased for you, Dom. What an exciting find! Thanks for sharing. Will
Fantastic. What a day that must have been for you!
Heritage fever is a great condition! To find, buy and become a custodian for a while of such objects, is to know not just about its manufactured origins, but of the man- hours of skilled work and product output that came from such pieces of old gear! Brilliant find, great little video of you both! Thanks and Cheers!
What a find by Steve, and to share it with you - fabulous.
Fantastic find and really enjoying your voyage of discovery. 👍👏
Love stories like that Dom , Good find
Wow, that’s an eye opener!!
What an exciting find in Witney with Steve 👌😊
Absolutely loved this. You can feel the excitement in the air!
Fantastic thanks Dominic & Steve
How truly reassuring for those of us blessed with a spiritual bent to see good intentions .. beautiful passion .. a willingness to better the world for all being rewarded like this .. Steve & Dom perhaps way back during difficult times now being the shining lights they really are. Watch & learn from them good people ❤
I'm an over 60's woman and I just love workrooms and tools like this. I looked up Ranalagh straightaway and fell in love. I would be straight in there, stroking everything, and wanting to take it all home. Just love you both x
Your work is amazing.....thank you for your amazing work.
Yay very excited for you 👍
Always Fun to watch you doing Stuff ! Cheers From California 😊
Wow! What a find!
Brilliant stuff. And what history too!
Good to see an engineer using an adjustable hammer!
Haha Steve did tell me not to, but I was just too excited
@@DominicChineas did get the ranalah in to a van
When Archimedes said "Give me a lever and a place to stand, and I'll move the world", he forgot to mention a Monday hammer and an "F" off shifter.
What a wonderful find.... Very special Steve and how serendipitous that you two know each other......
And the journey goes on 👍👍.
Has it really been nearly two years! Cant believe it. Great find.
What a find! 👏 But I also enjoyed the "to me, to you" moments. Thank you for sharing.
A great find 👏
Good job saving another piece of history!
I share your excitement at the discovery. Love it!
What are the chances, eh? And another piece of Ranalah history is preserved..
what a find and so nice to see your enthusiasm ,as an aside that unicycle hanging next to it was interesting
Just found your channel mate ! Great content - thanks 👍
Fantastic video and amazing tool . Thanks for sharing ❤️
You are both Awesome, thank you for so much information I can tell how excited you both are. Love you guys.
What a find. Steve struck gold for you.
Good going Steve!
That's so great. It's wonderful to be able to share the thrill of finding this grand old device. Isn't it special that it's no less useful all these years later!
I absolutely love that place! amazing!
What a find, great history too
Hi Dom, there was a BBC 2 programme on last night about tailoring the uniforms and making the equipment for the coronation. There was a lovely old chap who was using a Ranalah to make the helmets for the Horseguards Regiment. One of only two people in the world who can do that particular design. Thought you’d find it interesting.
Hi Dom, Fantastic news ,was over the moon for you, always on the lookout for the wall mounted one, stay safe All the best Brian 😃
What a great find, 👏👏👏👏👍🏻😊😊
Brilliant & Your Ranalah!
Serendipity, fate or whatever - a great intersection of events and two fantastic people. Just wonderful and all so interesting - love it!
Great video Dom 👍👏👏
So lucky Steve found this was still in the old family business Dom. What a great video and thanks for letting us see mate.
That's awesome!!
What a find Dom.
The excitement, that the normally very placid Steve, engendered in you Dom, transmitted through to me. Fantastic ‘barn find’ magic - love it !!
What a great find and story! The many many mudguards and tanks that have been made on that and headlamps😄 great stuff dom! What's appening with the Bessa!!
Wow, what a great find. Old workshops are the best. I'm sure there were a few things in there you'd have loved to put in the back of the van.
Wow what a find, the boy Steve did good. It's going to make a brilliant addition to your workshop, putt a frame on it and wheels and your be able to move it anywhere. 👍🤗
This was awesome. I feel the same way about old tools...they are truly works of art. I'm glad someone made a comment about the ladder as it was love at first sight for me! My mind was racing with ideas to use the ladder creatively.