Bushcraft Shelter - The Tinkers Tent

Here is a video about how to build a quick bushcraft shelter. This type of shelter has several names, one such name is Bender, which I'm sure that I will get some stick for on KZbin but it's ok, it's all good fun. The shelter uses interwoven hazel sticks to create a frame that skins, canvas or a simple tarp can be thrown over to create a simple shelter. For more free bushcraft info please visit our website at www.northwestbushcraft.co.uk

[@TheWildsourdough]

Way back in time- I think it was 2014, a man resurrected a very old design for an overnight shelter- it was called a bender. Thank you for creating this video-it is a great idea and a tried and true design. Simple, easy and doesn't use a lot of natural resources to create what for most people is a temporary camp. Well Done !

[@kan-zee]

Well done!! Gr8-Grandpa says when making this shelter frame..always use the bark off your saplings/ cut in strips, soak for flexibliltiy and use for cordage. That is how he remembers the ole timers doing it back in 1930's when he was a younging. Loving all the old time Photos&prints !! Cheers ;-)) Great stuff

[@johndoogan3712]

This has to be one of the best informative videos I have watched. These shelters resemble the type used by nomadic peoples in the Arctic and by Russian troops with their Plash palatka poncho capes in the forests even during their harsh winters.

[@fog360]

I use to make shelters like this when i was younger its good to see it coming back lol

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Hi Foggy, yes pal, it's a really important skill to keep alive and a lot more functional than a lean to/debris shelter. All the best Ade

[@Marialla.]

This was great information! Loved the photos especially. My son (14) and I went out to the forest near our apartments today (we've never been camping) and began building one of these. We got the frame up, but not covered yet. Ours is closer to a 3/4 dome, though. We don't want to use a tarp to cover it, because we want it as invisible as possible (because it's probably against somebody's rules for us to build/leave any kind of structure behind). So we'll be weaving in some pine branches as our walls/roof next time we go out there. We're excited to have a little place to go "get away" and relax in the forest, yet still be close enough to home to go back whenever we feel hungry.

[@robinconkel-hannan6629]

Marialla ..... You can add naturals over th tarp to break up th outline.. 3/4 of a dome will give more protection..

[@milesconklin534]

This is a great simple shelter that is structurally strong and efficient in construction, materials and time. One of the iconic structures used in antiquity and thank you for keeping the traditions alive. This is my go to structure for shade in the south west desert regions as well as reflective warmth from a fire in the north west forest regions of the USA, just the best shelter one can make.

[@jeredsyn1964]

I guess I knew you could build a structure in this way but never gave it any further thought. Seeing the pictures you showed gives you the sense that's it's a successful method. Job well done. Mike

[@bushcampcrafter2165]

WOW, very simple, effective shelter. Will definitely be putting this to use. Last debri shelter I built, took roughly 4 hours and had had just enough room for me and my pack. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed with all notifications.

[@jamesallbee7926]

ive done a lot of camping and study on bushcraft but this is the easiest and smartest system I've ever seen friend!!! keep up the good work!!! this will be the next project I will teach my 11&12 year old students!!! thank you and look forward to more of your bushcraft wisdom! James in central Michigan USA

[@Sheepsville]

I Typed "How to build a Bender?" in the search and your film was top of the list. I know how to build them but I wandered if anyone had made a video about it. and here you are :)

[@bushcraftnl86]

One of the best for shorttime bushcrafting, very easy to build, very primitave. I like this.

[@LarryVickery]

Excellent, and love the slideshow of vintage pictures. It gives me an idea. You could one of these just for your campfire, cover with a mylar survival sheet...the cheap kind, and build your fire in the opening to reflect heat.

[@maryspeight2840]

Just found this by accident, one of the best most practical videos , that i have watched to date, Cheers.

[@july_wu]

I love these old pictures

[@rockfish1000]

Hehehe...he said "bender". Ok I got it out of the way. Great video. I don't think I would go out into the woods without a tarp so this video gave me another great option. I can't imagine having to spend so much time gathering debris and wood to spend the next 2-3 hours building.

[@AbbasBugg]

I'm 22, want-to-learn/do ,woman this is great !! a shelter even 10 year old could make thanks

[@wolf1066]

Great video, very informative and useful. And don't worry, I was too busy laughing about "hairy-arsed hunters" to chuckle about "benders".

[@Matitzarichie]

Just came upon this. Well done, sir, much more economical in many ways from the usual leaf strewn, dark place that takes five people three hours. The historical pictures were wonderful, more ideas. Looking at their faces they must have led interesting lives. Hopefully not gone hungry. Now subscribed, ta.

[@tiedemann8225]

Great and quick shelter, especially when you need shelter instantly.. Great video. Thanks for showing.

[@neilandfi]

I've spent many a night in benders back in the day...1980s and 90s, with "New Age travellers" . We usually built them as complete domes covered by old fashioned canvas tarps. I was taught that when you've built the frame, you should be able to hang your body weight from the centre without it breaking. If someone was over-wintering in one, they would often make up a floor of old pallets, and even rugs on the floor, sometimes with a wood burner inside. You're right, the longest part of the build is gathering the poles (hazel or birch). After that it's easy.

[@lawrencemartin1113]

Excellent. I will be teaching RAF cadets this on my next basic shelter building course. Many thanks.

[@survledg]

Thanks for a very informative video and the old photos were just a revelation. Nicely done.

[@JBlackrose]

Love the Video. I built one like this last winter. Mine however was a complete dome structure. I was very comfortable in 32 degree weather and high winds to. We even use this as a sweatlodge too. BINDER love it !

[@wasaflirt]

I LIKE THIS SET UP NEXT TIME I'M OUT IN THE WOODS FOR A WEEK OR SO I'LL HAVE TO GIVE THIS A GO

[@CoyoteWorks01]

Very cool shelter. I've build similar by using saplings that are still rooted in the ground. Just by trimming the branches and bowing the tops together in a very similar fashion. That design that you showed looks great as well. I'll have to give that one a try!

[@louisemissouri4410]

I did enjoy this, thank you so much. There was a "clothed and confident" chapter on Grierwolf channel where they challenged each other to build a shelter off the ground and this made a lot of sense. Let there be closer tree's and a few more branches to make an above ground bed and this would work nicely. More snakes here in the US to be concerned about, and with some mint for flea's and ticks and such under the bed, this is so much easier than gathering leaves and large branches to drag. Very nicely done

[@eny68]

Great video Ade, thanks for sharing with us. Hazel is such a fantastic resource - so many uses and the more you take the more it replaces!

[@Zedoutdoors]

What a brilliant video and demonstration Ade, i've never seen this type of shelter and so found it very educational especially with the historical context to it. This is the type of bushcraft i'm falling in love with, no fluff or gimmicks, rather it's traditional and functional. Thank you for sharing this Ade ~Peace~

[@davegentry606]

Thank you for your knowledge. It is a wonderful thing to share and not allow it to be lost.

[@cavemanNCC1701]

I like this , with a small tarp you could hold up quit well and when you leave , it can stand and still be part of the environment for you to visit again n' again .

[@matlock12c]

Great video! I use willow instead of hazel but the result is the same. Quick n easy shelter.

[@Doobster67]

Really enjoyed your video, I myself being a traveler have used this type of shelter in my younger days. I loved the pictures you showed (may have even been some of my own folk), great choice of music too! thanks for sharing.

[@eipi5173]

some of those longer tinker tents in the pics remind me of the old covered wagon tents used here in the states in the 1800s. Great upload.

[@otspreparedness1953]

Excellent video! Really glad you showed the historical pics of the real deal in use.

[@indaba1960]

That reminds me of some shelters I have seen in Africa. Thanks for sharing.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Your'e right Adrian, from my research these types of shelters have been used on every continent at some or another. It's not hard to imagine the link between this shelter and a Mongolian Yurt or the North American Indian Teepee. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Ade

[@Smedley60]

Great video. I love history and really appreciated the extra photos. Thanks for putting this together.

[@pixiesmate]

You shouldn't fear using the word bender, it is one of the traditional words for that type of structure. It fell into the realms of taboo when in the 80s and early 90s the work shy soap dodger that went by the name of "new age travellers" started putting them up all over the countryside to supplement their untaxed uninsured vans to avoid paying council tax. The tinker tents have to my knowledge always been also known as benders. Nice video, good information to the background of them and loved the slide show obviously done your homework.

[@pauledmonds7316]

Ahh, The Bender... I've mostly known them to be used by [new age] travelers here in the UK, and I once helped a friend build a bender for her to live in. This was in the Mendip district of Somerset. Thanks for this video... I had actually forgotten about the humble bender and how quick and easy they are to put up. A very necessary piece of knowledge in an SHTF situation !

[@48plaster]

Great video mate - a very fresh (although very old) perspective on what is normally thought as being primitive shelter building. regards.

[@TheMendipman]

Ade, Great video. It brought back some old memories. I was in the Scouts 50-something years ago and learned to build one of these. Our two Scout leaders were both school teachers but had the traditional woodcraft skills. Oh - and they both called the shelter a BENDER! In those days the word had no other connotation. Best wishes, Noel

[@KernowekScouser]

Another informative and enjoyable video Ade, I, and I am sure many others, appreciate the thought and detail you put into these videos (I was particularly fascinated by the history and images) and the straight forward, pretension free approach you have developed, delivering these videos makes them a pleasure to watch. Good on you and thanks for sharing. Bushcraft bender bravo

[@SouthWestWildernessScotland]

Good video and some great old photo's, Thank's for sharing. Atb Glenn.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thanks for the kind comment Glenn. All the best - Ade

[@MrMattrix1]

going to be making one of these on my next outing... so much hazel where I am. thanks for sharing.

[@gregpenny4384]

Very nice video, have read about this type of shelter, and seen pics. of them, here in Canada some of our First Nations people used this style of shelter with slabs of Birch Bark that could be rolled up and traveled with. I have read sometimes live trees in small groves would be bent over and used without even being cut to form the frame. it was nice seeing you do it. Thank You

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Great video. I have seen this type of shelter but never made one. In the scouts we learned different types of primitive shelters built a few mostly lean to. Thanks.

[@renegadescout]

Excellent! I am glad to see someone keeping the skills alive.. many of my folki lived in Benders and Vardos before coming here to the USA.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to watch my video. When did your relatives move to the states? I'm always interested to follow the movements of Romany travellers as my own family settled here in England in the 1800's. Ade

[@renegadescout]

+Northwestbushcraft The majority of my ancestors have been here from the early days of the colonies..although I do know a lot of other Romany families immigrated much later. I have found that I still have a good many Romany cousins still living in the UK and Ireland..I found them after I picked up the hobby/addiction if genetic genealogy..lol

[@rodger2b]

very nice video. quick, easy and simple.

[@blackhatbushcraft]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing.

[@jondaniels123]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

[@karlposchner6345]

So simple I will be using this build. Thanks for your time.

[@ProSurvivalCH]

Great Shelter form. Thank you for your presentation.

[@spiritedadventure7662]

Great video, nice and easy to watch and remember for when you are out in the field. Nice tip about the hole making stick. I'll be trying this Soon. Thanks for the video.

[@GeezerDust]

Especially enjoyed the photos at the end. Thanks

[@EffyJnr]

That was for me a very informative video, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thankyou for sharing. Much Appreciated. God Bless

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thank you for taking the time to watch the video and for leaving such a nice comment, it's very much appreciated. All the best Ade

[@halbarnes6089]

excellent video especially liked old photos reminded me of some of my ancestors .also great music leep up good work

[@johnmadden6656]

Really appreciate your showing this. I have passed it on to a friend or two. Agree completely with your point that most survival shelters are way to complex and labor intensive. I have a 12x12 kelty tarp I am going to try it with. This is probably how the dome tent was invented (maybe)

[@tetetel]

I've built a few benders over the years. As you show, they are quick and easy to assemble with the most basic of tools. I tend to just carry a machete and a means of making fire.

[@DinglePrep]

Great vid, I have seen a few similar versions of this but your way of doing it is really easy, I could pitch up quickly almost anywhere and expand on this anyway I felt if I needed to. Thanks Dan

[@TheBazFella]

Excellent. The gypsies in Ireland used to call these 'bough tents', if memory serves. Great vid mate ;)

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thank you for that, it certainly sounds better than "Bender" lol All the best - Ade

[@SpiritofWildWings]

Such great points! Great, amazing!

[@martinaxe6390]

Simple structure and simple video. New subscriber from Colorado! I might try this with willows.

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

im really impressed with this I guess if you can find longer poles you can make a larger more permanent shelter while you built a cabin, thanks for sharing

[@jediknightofthewoods]

Great video Ade! I have never ceased to be amazed at how much promotion there is out there for debris shelters, even though they are time, energy, resource and calorie intensive! This type of shelter that you demonstrated is far more representative of a common sense approach to protecting yourself from the elements. Fantastic job mate! All the best!

[@essexplodder9796]

Hi Ade, the life lone rule of KISS, works, this shelter is perfect for either a long or short stay, as you can migrate anywhere & just set-up in a very short space of time, being able to transport the wood with you means you can quite simply pitch up anywhere, thanks for sharing this great video atb......Barry

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Hi Jed, Thats my point exactly mate. I think some of may be to do with the instructors, they can fill a day easily with getting students to build one, easy money for the instructor. Thank you for the kind comment (and not taking the micky about the bender name!!) Ade

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Essexplodder bjb Really well put mate. Ade

[@wesleywoodard2457]

Northwestbushcraft

[@bashabushcraft458]

simple and effective! Nice little bender ;)

[@IsleofWightBushcraft]

Enjoyed your vid, very enlightening, given me some ideas and inspiration. Thanx

[@garygerow4822]

Great video and traditional pictures , great stuff blessings.I,ll have to try thi8s and share it with my family .Thank you .

[@woodlandsedge3456]

Nice work mate used these a couple of times and work brilliant

[@bowyerbushcraft2359]

Good job 👏 really insightful

[@SootyAngel777]

Great video Adrian! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@yggdrasil2243]

Nice one Ade. I think you're right historically in respect of the construction verses calorific outlay. It would make more sense for those on the move constantly probably following a migratory food source to travel light and without causing too much disruption to their environment. I imagine the hazel construction; simple though it is,would prove quite resilient. Thanks for that mate. Keep it up. Noel

[@corbinallred976]

Awesome work brother.

[@robertsbushcraft]

This is awesome! - Gabriel

[@hull294]

I think you hit the nail on the head in stressing the amount of energy involved in making a shelter.So many of these videos fail to mention just how long & how much energy it takes making them impossible for 1 or 2 people to build before darkness which is the aim.I thjink watching someone building a shelter on video belies the fact that they have planned to do it so may have already have gathered & filmed themselves gathering matierials before over a period of days (maybe).That doesn't take away anything from the usefulness of the buiding information just the reality of building it

[@sylarwalkabout8480]

This is a great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thank you Skylar, I'm trying to do more videos featuring true bushcrafts as there seem to be very few out there at the moment. All the best - Ade

[@TomsBackwoods]

Great video! Loved the old photos! Google+ has me subscribing again for some reason. Happy trails!

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Hi Tom, how are ya pal? Yeah, I don't know what is going on with Google at the moment, I just don't get it pal. Thank you for the kind comment on the video and your continued support. Ade

[@angellnathan]

Fantastic video. Thanks for your time and effort to make. Cannot wait to try making one of these. Also loved the slideshow, great how you could turn one into a tunnel tent style shelter for a group.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Nathan Angell thanks again for the positive feedback. This video is quite old now, seems odd to see myself with a beard lol

[@joohop]

nice work YOU BENDER !

[@woodlandbiker]

We used to build a dome frame with small ditch round the outside, cover it in a heavy tarp and bury the edges in the ditch, of course leaving a doorway. Nice and snug and warm.

[@andrewburgess633]

Nice vid- thanks for sharing- also enjoyed the slideshow

[@noelcass6635]

Have lived in these for extended periods! We would always make the door arch, then an extra long spine pole, with "ribs" joining up to the spine, and your horizontal ones if we had the time or wanted it more permanent. Lots of twine to tie it, army or lorry tarps on top, with blankets under the tarp when possible. We sometimes slept 10 or more in them through the winter with no fire and a blanket door. Cosy! Oh, and when you cut the bender poles, make sure it's away from the bowl or the root, so that rain is channeled away, not running in and rotting the remaining hazel.

[@noelcass6635]

Still alive and kicking in the traveller scene in the 90s and beyond. www.travellerhomes.co.uk/?s=52

[@sidezycamping4831]

great demo..and a top channel you have too.

[@pbufitt]

Great shelter, but am I missing something here? If you're carrying a tarp, then save time and effort by using a tarp in the traditional way. If you're carrying skins, canvas, cloths, etc., then you must have the means to carry them as they are heavy. And if you have none of the above, then you will have to create a debris shelter! Great channel btw!

[@zsd101]

Very nice video, and I like how it can be tailored to the terrain in which someone might be in. Thanks! :)

[@TheKidodog]

Great video 👍

[@joe6fhgrj73]

I agree with you that is a very good shelter. after you throw a tarp over that it's as good as any tent. and if you had an extra tarp you could even put a floor in it. and I also believe if you think someone else might use it you can leave it up just take your heart with you and some other camper to use it. it would probably last for a good while. for it would only take a minute to take it down and would leave very little evidence that you were ever there. good job thumbs up

[@bigdaz57ify]

34 years ago a young hippie showed me how to make one nice one mate

[@123Bilko]

Another great vid Ade.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thanks for the kind comment Neil, I really appreciate it. All the best - Ade

[@artesdomatojoaocarmo]

Nice video, i really enjoy it!!! Thanks :D

[@CharlieEchoCharlie]

Well done!!

[@tomritter493]

Nice haven't seen many here in the states talk bout these quinzee shelters not a full but half quizzed great video take care brother

[@fuzzlenuff]

Excellent!

[@prospero6337]

Nice job. Thanks

[@harryanderson2683]

very useful information !

[@garygiles63]

thanks very much for this video.

[@doubletakevapes5076]

This is great. I have often made and used these simple shelters myself. They are easy to make they are strong and truly nice as far as fast, easy, dependable, smart. I like them a lot and give you the thumbs up on this video. Good work great video for people who want to build a good overnight shelter without a lot of fuss. Nice job

[@Seagrovelane]

Very Smart People those tinkers! Efficient, Easy, Sturdy, Flexible- I know that all structures have their place, but when I saw this I can't imagine why you would build anything else given the resources. It could be easily modified for internal fire(the old photos), or extended stay in a hammock. I live in the SE USA so I like to be off the ground due to ticks, etc. but the time saved making this and building an off the ground bed makes it worth it. tarp or no tarp. thank you sir for sharing this knowledge, I will certainly put this to use.

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Thank you for your kind comments and for taking the time to reply. All the best Ade

[@MySkobi]

AY! Bahco Laplander. I use the same folding saw. It's extremely cheap, I was even laughed at by the guys who all use Silky. I also own silky bigboy, but Bahco Laplander is one of the best and the quality is incredible. On their knives also.

[@FarEastSurvival]

Looks nice. It seems you can drape a very lightweight painter's cloth over this and have a water tight shelter in the wilderness that can stand up to decent amount of wind or snow. I like the fact that you dont need big trees to build a shelter. I guess someone can take tent poles and make the basic shape if you dont have the trees. Good video.

[@tedmears]

Hi Ade nice job and nice to see you back

[@Northwestbushcraft]

Mr Powers, how are you sir? Hopefully I will be getting a lot more videos on now if teaching, shows etc allow. All the best Ade

[@neilcastell6951]

interesting video, thanks for taking the time to share it,