Hewing Curvy Timbers for Japanese Timber Frame

[@andrewlast1535]

I was feeling a bit over stimulated and a Mr Chickadee episode pops up to rescue the vibe. Thank you, Brother.

[@danielgrant4719]

So good that you don't have music playing over your video's so that we can hear every beautiful sound of the tools working the wood and the shavings hitting the ground. It is such a great sound, I am going to play video again so that I can just listen.... perfect meditation

[@sbjennings99]

I agree sounds of wood working

[@billiondollardan]

You're totally right. I hate every video that adds music to sound super trendy

[@dennisgoesfishing]

Music is for power tool videos.

[@kingofepicvlogs4666]

Classy Gas & Diesel Teach -background music for instructional videos is for dorks

[@scallan74]

Indeed

[@maxprophet2401]

Looks just like my straight timbers do after I'm done hewing them. Perfect topic for me today. I'm cleaning up several walnut tops left after logging and I intended to keep a few long curved chunks for future projects. Thanks Mr. Chickadee!

[@MrChickadee]

Thats the beauty of center line layout, no need for timbers to be straight, or even square! Walnut should hew up just wanderful!

[@chinaski2020]

Watching your videos I always find myself thinking "man, working on that one timber must have taken him such a long time," and then the camera pans out and you've already done another three of them. Gets me every time. I love your work. Thank you.

[@Ham68229]

Once you get started, and do enough, one would be surprised and amazed at exactly how "fast" it goes. I love this type of wood working. It's all natural at it's best. Cheers :)

[@Carpenterjoh65]

Mr. Chickadee never says a word yet he speaks volumes. Inspiring work, Sir!

[@skjelm6363]

I agree. I love his "less talking, more learning" style very much.

[@markharris5771]

Carpenterjohn The handyman And less talking doesn’t mean less intelligence. If you ever read his blog he is obviously very articulate and far from a "one trick pony". His wife is no slouch either, her videography is also a big part of telling the story in the videos.

[@KDawgKy]

Can’t wait to see what the curved timber will be used for? I like the technique of using a tall brace to assist and directing the fallen tree. Truly a Master at play...

[@MrChickadee]

Its the arched timber above a large doorway

[@VernAfterReading]

Very cool. Can't wait to see what this Japanese timber frame is going to be!

[@gentryism]

I can hear the density of the wood in those draw knife strokes. Beautiful lumber.

[@hjazkiz]

If KZbin would have an Oscar/Academy award, you most definitely would be atop contender. I enjoy your channel very much, thanks for sharing.

[@peterellis5626]

Hewing in any fashion is a challenging skill. Being able to hew in multiple styles is just awesome :)

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Another simply fantastic "quiet" inspirational, instructive, meditational/meditative video from an extremely skilled master craftsman (which I watched for the third time already!). Thank you so much for making taping editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to you all.

[@jameskniskern2261]

As always, love the work. I was thinking as I was watching you work, "I'm sitting here watching him work, when I should be out working on my own project." I have several ash limbs to debark and get under cover.

[@kenmoule825]

Thank You Mr Chickadee. This technique of how it is done has eluded me for a lifetime. Once saw a build like this when I was a child. Have some curvy maple on my mind and a few bent ;-) pin cherries.

[@ruterodriguesirineu4286]

The amazing simphony of a well done task.

[@markgoode4109]

Always so much to learn from Mr. Chickadee. Looking forward to see what you make from this timber. Always a pleasure to see another of your videos. Best wishes.

[@orion3267]

Can't wait to see what you make of it.

[@oxbowfarm5803]

Pretty cool Mr. Chickadee! Props for a no layout freestyle curved timber. Added to my hewing playlist.

[@MrChickadee]

These octagonal roofing beams are a joy to hew, especially since you don't even want straight or square but natural curvy beauty.

[@Thundermuffin93]

This man makes it look like nothing more than peeling a nice potato. Heavens. Excellent skill, sir. Best of luck to you!

[@carolewarner101]

That's going to be a beauty in the frame. Can't wait to see it!

[@Controvena]

Charming job!

[@volkerpetersen2671]

very sharp axe. very methodical and energy conserving movements. thank you for sharing.

[@nataliewitkowski913]

I love hewing so much ugh. Glorious.

[@MCK1981]

True artist. Few and far between.

[@twentyonetwos3967]

Very interesting log. I look forward to seeing its use.

[@akashlaheri57]

What a beautiful location ❤️❤️❤️

[@robgoodsight6216]

remarkable as usual!!!!

[@streetDAOC]

Mr. chickadee is like the clickspring of wood working

[@johnsmith-kr]

Way cool reference!!

[@JacobvsRex]

Thanks for watching, I’ll see ya later!

[@arepsuroboyo1278]

@@johnsmith-kr mm

[@ikust007]

The Beauty of a real Artisan.

[@KyleCotton1]

Been subscribed to this channel since the early videos and have never seen one I didnt enjoy and learn from. Theres something so relaxing about watching a skilled craftsman at work! Would love to build a timber frame cabin on my farm some day soon. Greetings from western Ky!

[@ICanProbablyDoThat]

I always imagine cutting down a tree involving massive swings of an axe like they’re trying to knock it over with each chop, but it looked like you tapped your way through that tree with little effort. Amazing what a sharp tool and a lot of skill can do.

[@TheVze23sqf]

I always look forward to your videos. So much knowledge to share. 👍👍👍

[@SuperCidermonkey]

Watching you work is like listening to a whale song... peaceful and calm-inducing. Thank you

[@curtisvonepp4335]

Can't wait to see how you place these curved timber's to gether what a beautiful hard wood forest you have .🐤👏🙋

[@DAYBROK3]

Curtis von Epp sort of looks like cotton wood or maybe poplar.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Most peaceful channel I've found yet.

[@leochen4891]

beautiful and calm to watch

[@Unknown-dq2cj]

Oh wow! I cant wait to see it.

[@danstoica7916]

One BIG like!!! It was a pleasure for me to watch THIS!!!

[@prehistoricliving]

Man you are just the coolest, I respect everything you do

[@hillbillynick2000]

Simply outstanding!

[@lastingbuild1373]

Amazing work as always!

[@johnsmith-kr]

Nice! Steady-eddy work. Thanks!

[@Mark-xl8gg]

Thank you for 9 minutes quality time

[@chipwilson6024]

You’ve gotta do more rustic food videos. They’re very wholesome and nice.

[@arkansas1336]

Very nice work with the axe and draw knife....thanks for sharing!

[@shawnosaurus1]

Great video. That is the sharpest axe I've ever seen. An axe sharpening video would be great if you have

[@Panther_heart]

Hi Mr. Chickadee ! Would be very nice to talk about the moisture of the wood. Do we have to dry wood like most of woodworkers says? Can we built tomber framing and furnitures with wet wood ? If we only works with hand tools and traditional joinery? Very hard to get the truth about it...

[@MrChickadee]

No, it can be used green, dry or somewhere in between.

[@islandblacksmith]

lovely piece of timber, perfect shape!

[@GLYNDYER]

I love watching this guy but clearly he belongs in another century.

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks!

[@Ham68229]

Looking forward to seeing the timber frame project. Great video. Cheers :)

[@keithcastle7387]

this young man is bad ass

[@dougalexander7204]

Thank you for sharing.

[@radinsyah1574]

Watching a lot of your videos, I wonder who’s the mentor who taught you these very variable skills.

[@dustybootraveler]

Always interesting!

[@chuckpechan]

Congrats on 100K subscribers!! Always a treat to watch, thanks!

[@Canada-gs3jc]

impressive axe work, this guy has skills!

[@Joebunker98]

I’m not sure how I discovered your channel but I do enjoy your videos. Congrats on 100k!

[@joejackson4202]

One of the few axe handling videos ive seen that doesnt make me cringe

[@Rufio1975]

(First one here. ) Always great when a new video pops up on my feed Mr. Chickadee!

[@frenchriversprings]

Relaxing video. 100K Subscribers. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!

[@adamcfmacdonald]

Superb. Thank you for this.

[@randyhenson3265]

Beautiful fell on the tree. I was wondering how long you season a hewn timber before incorporating it into a build? Thanks for the videos and hope you and yours are well and many blessings.

[@MrChickadee]

Though they wont be very dry for many years, I find giving them at least 6 months or more helps them relax, show any twists or cupping they will, make them much lighter to handle, and helps the joinery not loosen up as much.

[@jamesmcgee7723]

The audio is magnificent!

[@skeeter197140]

I wish I had this work ethic.

[@MCK1981]

Hoping to make it to one of your timber framing workshops one day.

[@TylerSnyder305]

I see you've got a proper haft on that old swedish axe, many people don't realize that it really does make a difference.

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls

[@KJ-kw7gh]

Sourwood has a beautiful grain to me. Finish looks great with just an oil sealer.

[@briankshaw8755]

Good to see you and your outstanding 👍 skills.

[@HollerHunter]

Beautiful. Any chance we can have a sneak peak at a drawing of the frame you’re building?

[@sodalines]

how is this guy not at 1 million subs... wth

[@adamredden2007]

Probably just not enough videos, but he's worthy of it for sure. Really really good stuff...

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for sharing that

[@GeneralF34R]

He looks like he is out of the 1700s...still has better video quality than Pewdiepie haha awesome video! Always love watching your content.

[@dorgodorato]

How many whole trees went into your homestead? The amount of work that goes into constructing a home is mind blowing!

[@brucewayne2984]

Such a stressful video to watch. HA! Love it!!

[@dlbuffmovie]

Hopefully, you will walk through treatment for the final material. Also, you pealed that while still wet right, so are you worried about warp as it dries out?

[@MrChickadee]

The method of layout I use accounts for all types of twisted, curved and otherwise out of square timbers, so no worries there. I expect a bit of movement as it relaxes over the summer, but much less after that.

[@OperaBass3]

Funny how falling, bucking, skidding, barking, and squaring a log in cold still weather eliminates the need for coats. I bet your cats weren't out in the snow for hours supervising. I bet they were curled up snoozing by the stove that burns the wood you got in last year. Hm. I wonder what that graceful octagonal timber and the other three straight ones will be used for. I'm guessing some form of torii. Looking forward to future videos.

[@MrChickadee]

They are all various roofing beams for the fall class frame, this one in particular is an arch above a doorway. The others do look straight but are actually a gradual arch of about 8" over 20' span. All octagonal in the japanese tradition

[@johngrace199]

I'm curious...as every step you have has a specific purpose, what was the benefit of having the tree fall in that particular direction? Nice video as always...thanks.

[@MrChickadee]

Good question, if left to fall in its natural lean it would have hung up in a pine tree, so I corrected that about 20 degrees with the spring pole.

[@soldtobediers]

0:30 - 0:45 There's only one direction in the faces that I see; It's upward to the ceiling, where the chambers said to be. Like the forest fight for sunlight, that takes root in every tree. They are pulled up by the magnet, believing that they're free. -Genesis "The Carpet Crawlers" album: "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" (1974)

[@specialized29er86]

Love his woodworking skills and making stuff using your hands.

[@rickayers3150]

Very nice, that looks like ash.

[@tkjazzer]

Did you have to sharpen the draw knife multiple times? Or does 1 sharpening last the whole log?

[@MrChickadee]

It really depends, was the log knotty, was it hard sourwood or soft tulip poplar? In knotty or hard wood, I touched up the edge after each of the four faces. In soft clean wood, I finished with still a shaving sharp edge...

[@tkjazzer]

@@MrChickadee Thank you, I don't know if I've ever seen anyone sharpen a draw knife on you tube. I'm sure I can find a Roy Underhill video at some point that shows his technique. Also, watching your videos are very therapeutic. There is often a point when I reflect about life stress and think, "man, I really could use one of your videos about now." You must have a pattern down, because often when I think it, a video appears

[@MrChickadee]

@@tkjazzer A draw knife is pretty similar to a long chisel, normally tempered too hard to file, they must first be ground so the bevel is

[@Cody_Ramer]

how many acres ya got there mr. chickadee? edit. that draw knife is beautifully sharp!

[@MrChickadee]

about 30, more or less

[@charonferryman2183]

Mr. Chickadee wherebouts? i grew up in tennessee, live in florida, and have a few acres in kentucky!

[@maxdecphoenix]

@@charonferryman2183 They live in Kentucky, near Moorehead. He does timber framing workshops there.

[@marielundberg7309]

That’s the beauty of a timber. What species is it?

[@MrChickadee]

sourwood

[@sinsilius]

May I ask... How long does it take for you to hew a log? Lets say this particular log or similar dimmentions. I'm wondering because I sometimes do hand work with wood, but have no idea how long should it take, as everyone around is either using power tools for every step, or buying stuff already to a required dimmention and shape.

[@MrChickadee]

Bout and hour or so

[@davidfaulkner4105]

Just wondering if that's a Sourwood. But persimmon kinda looks like that also.

[@MrChickadee]

sourwood

[@davepelfrey3958]

Hey Mr Chickadee, we have a lot of tall pines trees where we live. Are they good to build a timber framing structure from? Really enjoy your work and video's, very much respect to you.

[@MrChickadee]

Yes of course! Pine is one of the best things to use!

[@r33tc0w]

You sir, are a surgeon with that axe

[@Maxid1]

6:40 It's such a pleasure to bark green wood.

[@Bananasifyful]

Did you buy the pit saw from ritus, which Antik greefe used to rip boards in one of his videos? Maybe you could make a „log to lumber/plank „ video?

[@MrChickadee]

No i never did...

[@cameronwolf3021]

How long does the timer have to sit after being hewn before you can use it?

[@MrChickadee]

you can use it fresh

[@cameronwolf3021]

@@MrChickadee thanks for the reply. I'm surprised to hear. I'm guessing that's because the lumber has so much more mass then a slab say for a table, It doesn't warp as much? I love the videos. Your dedication to the craft is admirable.

[@aldrinaltuzargarcia6050]

Muy bueno maestro . Pero no c olvide d poner videos mas seguido

[@jackjonte6283]

This has probably been asked on a previous video, so if someone could point me it would be much appreciated! You hewed the timber while it's green, what about the drying process? Do you dry before joinery or after?

[@MrChickadee]

Good question. Short answer is it depends. There are many timber framing forms which use fresh green wood, even to the point of being in a "rush" to get it joined and raised so it may dry together. Other forms of timber framing, such as much of Japanese framing use fully dried or mostly dry timbers. They often dry them for many years before use. I prefer joints which can be tightened as well as drying as long as I can, which is often 6 months to 1 year.

[@kenmoule825]

Well thought out answer with good information.

[@adamredden2007]

I've been meaning to ask you what the length of the handle is on that felling axe you do your hewing with?

[@MrChickadee]

If you place the axe head in the middle of your chest, then touch your hands together in front of you with fingers extended, thats a good place to start for a felling axe

[@timwelsh1277]

Your work is impressive! how long does it take to hew each of those timbers?

[@MrChickadee]

depends on length and hardness, I rarely time myself, but I did note one 20' pine log took me 2 hours to smooth finish

[@582tird]

Thank You

[@StevenJamesPorter]

Where do you get your pants from? Weird question but they look comfortable and practical with the high waist and suspenders.

[@bunyipdan]

Was expecting to see a slightly older axe (Heirloom), was wondering about your end grain prep, is it the species, your climate, or just your method (green wood construction?) that doesn't require sealing the cut ends to limit checking/splits of your beams during seasoning. Thanks for sharing, really respect your work

[@oxbowfarm5803]

Timbers will check inevitably, sealing wouldn't prevent this. The only method possible is to cut a relief kerf down to the pith on one side of the timber to limit most of the checking to a non-visible side. This is a traditional technique in Asian timberframing, but in Western timberframing typically you just let the beams check how they want. It doesn't impact strength at all in a boxed heart timber like this.

[@MrChickadee]

This axe was bought new by my grandfather in the 1930s. Ive hewn more than an entire frame with it alone, and replaced the handle twice. I did seal the endgrain, after the video. I dont always do so, but like to with most hard woods as it slows the drying. Checks will happen unless you cut free of heart timbers or kerf to the heart all boxed heart timbers, and wedge it open as it dries.

[@bunyipdan]

@@MrChickadee All good, it's fantastic to be able to use tools that were used by generations of craftsman, so much more enriching when they are connected by family, and I certainly thought it to be your style to use such tools. Apologies for presuming otherwise. Guess I was jumping the gun a bit on both my questions.....what did you use to seal end grain, what was used traditionally?

[@MrChickadee]

@@bunyipdan I use lard as it works well, is easy to apply and is cheap. Any waxy substance would do...

[@kenmoule825]

First I have heard of using lard. Any special prep besides rendering or oils added to the process? Or lie to remove the soaps. No chemist here. All good stuff Mr. C

[@doug817th]

How long did that take you?

[@MrChickadee]

About an hour

[@KarlBunker]

@@MrChickadee Only an hour!?? That's as amazing as the quality of the job you did!

[@adamredden2007]

An hour.....that's absolutely ridiculous. Fantastic job as always, sir.

[@jessewalley1529]

Dang that’s a lot of work

[@Kumagai1976]

What kind of tree is that?

[@MrChickadee]

Sourwood