The hub is the central part of the wheel, cylindrical or conical in shape and generally made of elm or walnut wood.
The hub served as a central connector for the wheel's spokes and was therefore equipped with holes for inserting them (made by the cartwright using a chisel). In addition to these holes, it had a central hole that passed through it (made using a drill), into which a generally hollow metal cylinder (called bushing) was inserted. This allowed the wheel to be connected to the cart’s axle and enabled it to rotate.
In order to provide stability and protect it from the stress and impacts experienced by the wheel, the hub was reinforced with the addition of metal rings (called bands).