Also in my garage: Ranalah wheeling machines

By Ryan Standen

| 14 Aug 2024

Classic & Sports Car – Also in my garage: Ranalah wheeling machines

Starting as an apprentice with an air-cooled Porsche specialist, Dominic Chinea moved into graphic design and photography before establishing his set-design business in Hackney Wick, which led to his current role as the trusted metalworker on BBC TV show The Repair Shop.

The hodgepodge of objects in Dom’s workshop reflects his wriggly career path: beyond the Porsche 356A shell that’s secured to a fixture table are a couple of classic ’bikes, a collection of old tools and a 10ft-tall spanner.

The shelves are filled with everything from hand-painted vintage signs to a model of a zebra’s head.

Dom Chinea’s interests and skills are diverse, but his recent focus has been on reviving the Ranalah brand

In the middle of the workshop is a brand-new Ranalah wheeling machine, Dom’s latest project.

“This is number five of the continuation models,” he says. “I painted it like this for the Goodwood Revival.”

Ranalah wheeling machines were popular among coachbuilders for shaping metal and used to produce aircraft panels during WW2, when they became known as Spitfire Wheels.

Ranalah went out of business not long after the war, so original machines are now rare.

Ranalah wheeling machines are used for shaping metal

Dom became interested in the craft after learning how to use a wheeling machine on a course with Geoff Moss at MPH Motor Panels in Cornwall, then he spent nearly two years looking for a Ranalah to buy for himself: “Then I thought, ‘Sod it, I’ll just make my own.’”

He now owns the Ranalah trademark and has spent the past few years collecting original machines: “Ranalah was renowned for being the Rolls-Royce of wheeling machines, so by putting that name on them, I’ve now got the responsibility of living up to that reputation.”

After putting the word out on social media, Dom was sent on a wild goose chase through Sussex woodland after he was mailed a photo of an original Ranalah machine covered in ivy.

Dom has a love for old tools (left); the Austin J40 might be his next project

“This was the first one I found,” recalls Dom. “I spent all day in the pouring rain trying to unearth this forgotten Ranalah.”

He eventually stumbled on a flattened patch of leaves with four metal rods sticking out of the ground, but no Ranalah.

“I could have cried,” he says. Thankfully, the machine hadn’t been scrapped and Dom finally discovered it on a pallet in a nearby drive: “After years of trying to find one, I ended up having to dismantle it to analyse all the components.

“Now they keep coming out of the woodwork: people get in touch to say their grandparent has a Ranalah and they’ll ask if I want it. I can’t say no.”

“I’m trying to do what I can to promote the craft of wheeling while there’s still time”

Dom now has three original machines, which he uses to ensure his continuation models are up to scratch.

“We’re at a critical point now, where we need the next generation to come through and pick up this skill,” he says.

“I’m trying to do what I can to promote the craft of wheeling while there’s still time.”

Aside from the Ranalah project, and when he’s not away filming, Dom keeps busy learning new skills.

Dom’s Porsche 356 is a work in progress

“As soon as one thing’s finished, I turn around and pick something else.

“I get a lot of grief online for not doing the Porsche, but I’m desperate to do the Austin J40.

“It’s been hanging up there for years,” he says, looking up at the pedal car on the wall.

The Porsche came from Pennsylvania, on the US East Coast.

“I should’ve known better,” admits Dom, pointing through a hole in the car’s frame.

“Maybe my kids or grandchildren will take it on The Repair Shop and say: ‘It was his dream car but he never got to drive it – he kept saying he was going to finish it.’”

Images: Malcolm Griffiths

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