How to Make Laths

Here we see how to make traditional handmade wooden laths from Sweet Chestnut - used in lime plastering construction and heritage restoration work. Experts Justin Owen and his sons Jack and Curtis, and friend and colleague Bobby, carry out this skilled craft on the mixed woodland they coppice. Care is taken from the initial selection and cutting of the managed wood through to the stacking and storing of the bundles. The skilful splitting of the wood follows the grain to ensure the durability of each lath and the uneven surface of the laths offers additional grab for the lime plaster. To contact J.Owen Services - email [e-mail]. An Adliberate film www.adliberate.co.uk for WoodlandsTV www.woodlands.co.uk/tv

[@mouppe]

Fantastic to see these timeless skills and traditions still having a relevance in today's world, and providing livelihoods as well.

[@42lookc]

Coming up with uniform results would take a lot of practice, and a practiced eye as well. I love seeing skillful, patient tradesmen excelling at their work.

[@Aptbushcraftprepper]

This is cool to see young people enjoying work like this.

[@TheByard]

When I started working in construction we used rolls chestnut fencing to fence the job site off. The rolls consisted of approximately 4ft, lengths of chestnut split out of the round so there was one rounded side and two split side. Three lengths of 2 or 3 strand wire attached top bottom and middle of the length, the wire strands would open up and a length put in between, the strands twisted a few time and opened for the next length and so on to make a roll. Posts driven and the rolls attached a very cost effective fence that could reused in another location. All that changed with Health and Safety sites now have to be boarded in so graffiti artists can make their mark.

[@stephenrice4554]

Yep , the yards of chestnut paling I've put up around a site , planted and finished taken it down and moved on . Repairable and easily transported . H&S is definitely a retrograde step in some ways

[@alaskankare]

With how much woodshavings in a bag have become popular in the states here for ready made tinder, I wonder if they have considered packaging their shavings and scraps this way too? Get to use every bit of the trees for profit? Great video and awesome to see young people picking it up and liking it!

[@ratatoskr1069]

So awesome! Never give up this way of life!

[@HalfQ]

Excellent work lads.

[@steinderbush]

That,s awesome Nice work!!!

[@tombokojohnson1744]

I agree with some of the people that have commented about Woody Hyezmar’s Woodworking Bible, it’s pretty solid even if it’s not complete!

[@dilangar]

Cracking job fella's

[@18051815]

dilangar Q

[@bushfosterdad]

very nice! can you lead me to a source on how to construct that shelter frame? TIA!

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

I guess you use all the scraps to keep you warm in the winter.

[@chrisburgess9208]

There’re a lot straighter than the riven laths I’ve been using lately. Who do you supply your laths to.

[@Musrusticus-]

Superb…

[@cujimmy1366]

Lots of Laths make jolly.

[@kingneddy]

any jobs lads? would love to learn this stuff and live that lifestyle. :)

[@GrizzlyGroundswell]

Where can I find that lath bundler? Or what it is called?

[@iraqresitance9663]

Hello from iraq well done

[@thesamtest7892]

Email me I'm in Kent I want a job

[@kaelhooten8468]

Sadly, this sort of thing didn’t make it across the pond much. Fencing, lumber, it’s all too expensive, and I have trees, an axe, and hand saws. Livestock pens, fencing, seating and tables, all things I need but cannot afford. But I have trees!

[@PetroicaRodinogaster264]

pity whomever uploaded this did not know that a LATH is a thin piece of wood. Commonly used in inner wall construction. The tool/machine in the video is a LATHE.

[@viralto]

Pity you didn't watch the video because the entire thing is about making LATHS by hand and there are no LATHES in it at all.