Making a steam bent firewood carrier with hand tools from green wood

Past years i've used my arm or a wheelbarrow to bring firewood to the house, neither being that practical for us. I finally made time this year to make a few steam bent wooden carriers. Some green hickory was used from our pond where ive always got staves stored. This wood was split and shaved then steamed and bent into a simple form to dry a few days. Round tenons and a few dry pegs keep it all together. When full i can bring enough wood for a full winter day in one trip with both carriers.
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My website : mrchickadee.com/
#mrchickadee

[@rickgarms7656]

Your videos (while instructive) are some of the most meditative woodworking postings I've experienced. Thanks for that.

[@davidbartlow3465]

Amen to that

[@izzyplusplusplus1004]

Woo hoo! Missed ya Mr. Chickadee,

[@forrestaddy9644]

I see Charles, the cat, has evolved from cute kittenhood to adult majesty deserving of a faithful lackey to tote firewood, stoke the stove, and see to his comforts. Well done, Josh.

[@ryandavis7593]

I thought I would let you know, I lost my kitty this year. She was seventeen and absolutely adored me while being protective of my son and tolerating my wife. Her name was Missy. Some of my favorite videos of yours include the cat who appears to be quite happy with you and your wife. Thank you for the inspiration you give me to get out to my own shop and build something useful and beautiful. Greetings from the high plains of Texas.

[@MrChickadee]

Im sorry for your loss Ryan, they are really children for us and Im sure you as well. Funny how they pick who they prefer! Charles is the Russian blue, he likes me most, while Lucy and Unidale are Mommys girls.

[@ryandavis7593]

@@MrChickadee Thank you for brightening my day. We have a new cat who is my sons cat but seems really happy to have a home. He really loves us all and will cuddle with whoever is sitting still long enough. His name is Marlo. Greetings from the high plains of Texas.

[@BillB23]

Having ridiculously sharp tools makes all the difference. Thank you for a zen video.

[@worklion50]

faq jack

[@davesrvchannel4717]

Got a Kawasaki mule but not a dewalt drill. Awesome! Not a lazy bone in his body. Best channel on KZbin!

[@MrChickadee]

The Mule is as handy as a shell on a turtle, the dewalt...not my cup of tea haha

[@scotth4760]

Always look forward to a zen period watching you work

[@historyhawk3621]

Amazing craftsmanship and focus on historical woodworking, kudos. But it seems like you're working the cats so hard, LOL.

[@408Magenta]

Probably the most relaxing channel I'm subscribed to.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks

[@StevenEverett7]

I'm always amazed by the quality of your work. The kitty at the end was perfect!

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you so much 😀

[@carolewarner101]

Your grey kitty must have been a saint in a past life!

[@danaowen9014]

It's nice to see a new video.

[@markcummings6856]

Just beautiful… everything. Your cat says I’ve got the baddest Father around 😊.

[@jasonhammond4640]

Nice sheffield brace and center bit.😎👍👍

[@dalyjolly5891]

So cool to watch this come together.

[@jeepman1961]

I think you and Roy Undrhill would have been great friends!! . . I made 1 of these about 6 years ago, still use it!! Love your videos!!

[@SordidandSalted]

Ol' Roy's still around, he's a sprightly 71

[@maryalicestevens1268]

Wish we could set up a meeting. Oh to be a fly on the wall!

[@jeepman1961]

@@SordidandSalted I know. )) I have followed him from the start. An amazing man!! I love his talent and wit!!

[@glennwilck5459]

I literally just watched the woodwrights shop and made one of these like 4 days ago how funny is that! Yours turned out beautiful of course..

[@kenthorsen4558]

Luckiest cat in the world, his pet builds a fire in the masonry fireplace next to his bed and brings in the firewood to feed it! Beautiful firewood carrier!

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks Ken

[@carolewarner101]

Exactly what I was thinking! His "pet." Good one! 🤣

[@thomream1888]

I can hear the kitty purr from here! Merry Christmas Josh and family.

[@bobclapper2672]

I sure Hope you make more timber style Furniture again Soon !

[@465maltbie]

Warm kitty, happy kitty. Thanks for sharing, Merry Christmas to you.

[@Thomas-zu4ci]

I wish you and your family happy holidays and a great new year !!!!!!!

[@man-qz8ki]

Beautiful

[@4316rodney]

Thanks so much man, so much

[@protectanimals9792]

LOVE THE CAT ❤

[@ricardomagnificent]

Fantastic workmanship as always. Mrs. Chickadee's camera work is phenomenal.

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Your cat lives a blessed life.

[@barkebaat]

18:34 - Now, that's the life !

[@TermiteUSA]

Have a wonderful Christmas gift, you and clan, Mr Chic.

[@Maxid1]

I lived in San Francisco for many years (decades). The last house I had I began to heat with wood (to dry it out. I was close to the ocean). I saw a video about Dick Proenneke homesteading in Alaska when he was 50 years old and the cabin being a snug “40 degrees” during the winter. I was 50 at the time and I started feeling a little soft and turned the thermostat of my life down by not using the furnace at all. I stopped buying anything I couldn’t use (would have to throw away) or couldn’t burn. No plastic etc. So I eliminated all the trash I’d been producing, no longer had any need for a trash or recycle bin and I composted everything else to turn my sandy back yard into dirt. (Do you know you can’t cancel garbage service in a house you’re living in? In California anyway. But that’s a side issue.) You starting the fire with cardboard reminded me of that. One thing that happened was I stopped catching colds after that.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Was that white oak you made the carrier out of? A friend of mine used it to make baskets. They were gorgeous! Didn’t have to steam her strips or dowels. What a wonderful project to share with us! Happy Holidays! ❤️🌨🌨🌨Colorado. Thanxz

[@not2tees]

Thank you Mr. C. and grey cat of great calmness and cool. Non-controversial excellence is so sweet. Freeing, it is.

[@Vikingwerk]

Wonderful craftsmanship! Now you need to carve a proper shoulder yoke to help cary those! I remember reading about the shoulder yokes in laura Ingalls-Wilder ‘s books, and always wanted one for carrying heavy buckets as a kid. Ought to make myself one now that I have tools and skills.

[@johnfreiler6017]

Ya beat me to it. A good yoke contoured to fit should help a lot. I imagine that he's already on it but wanted to try a few things out before he settled on one and it just didn't make this video.

[@offpherj7884]

Very nice!

[@teripittman]

It's my favorite grey cat on the internet! Looks just like my Jack, the best cat that ever lived. Not sure why I find it so amazing to see something made from raw wood. But I do.

[@167curly]

What a simple, but elegant items to grace your hearth. Save the shavings for kindling too, Mr. Chickadee.

[@mythiccomputers]

I've heard legends of master furniture makers who can wield a draw knife like a paintbrush - never thought I'd see one on KZbin

[@PAINFOOL13]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@davidjohanson8964]

As I watched im thinking he's gotta make 2 of those, one for each hand to walk balanced, but then the shoulder pole really amped up the balance and ease to turn and go through a door

[@Grunt49]

Thank you sir.

[@BreakingGravityPT]

The steam at 11:44 really shows how much energy goes into drilling a hole. Beautiful picture!

[@jondavidmcnabb]

I can't believe how much i learn skill wise every time i watch your videos. You single-handedly are the best wood shop teacher I have had in 52 years on this earth.

[@MrChickadee]

thank you kindly

[@josephwarner8349]

Outstanding work! I look always look forward to your videos. No clouds of dust in your workshop!

[@rawa5457]

Pomysłowe nosidła. Mistrzowska ręka. Przednia zagroda. Fajny kominek. God Bless Mr. Chickadee.

[@rodperry8857]

the best woodworker I've seen on the tube. from the ground up literally. So inspiring.

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks!

[@craigmooring2091]

I always sit in rapt attention when a Mr. Chicadee video gets posted. Often, what the end product will look like is a mystery, and I am never disappointed by the ending. This wood carrier looks great and will be another conversation piece in your master-crafted home. Even though he wasn't shown actively supervising, it's good to know that Charles was there to give his nod of approval at the end.

[@ludvigtande1236]

Merry Christmas! 🎄

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video Josh, thanks for sharing the pond soaking with us too. That was awesome how much more it helps in the steaming process and bending. They turned out so well and will be of great use. Stay safe and may you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Fred.

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks Fred!

[@LitoGeorge]

@@MrChickadee Josh, could you explain a little why do you do not use use Japanese saws, instead favoring Western saws? I know you're open to Eastern ways of doing, like your floors etc. TX, George

[@MrChickadee]

@@LitoGeorge Ive used both, I find the western saws more practical due to cost, ease of use, ease of sharpening, cost of sharpening (files), also just general cost as secondhand western saws are cheap here, and side by side I dont see much benefit of the Japanese saws. If I lived in Japan it might well be the opposite. In China, it would likely be the traditional bow saws they use. Every culture in the world had their tools that worked, because they had to work. Ive not found any to be that much better than others.

[@LitoGeorge]

@@MrChickadee thanks Josh. Given your ease of use case scenario, have you ever used a kataba to do some rip cutting on large logs (for joinery for example). I can see why you cite lower cost in the USA. In Canada, a second hand Disston goes for 180+$ and it's in poor condition. In that case, it becomes cheaper in the 5-15 year range to buy Japanese and just replace blades. Any other recommendations brand wise for Western saws?

[@MrChickadee]

@@LitoGeorge Yep, the common smaller multi use disposable Japanese saws cant really compete with full size decent vintage western saws in my experience. You would need a vintage forged full size saw, which are pretty costly and much harder to use and sharpen than a western saw. If I were not in the US, like in Canada I would try either finding US ebay sellers who will ship to canada, or go the route of frame saws. A wooden frame saw in rip or crosscut can be very effective and are still the type of choice over most of east asia and continental europe. You can get some great blades online from a few tool vendors for very cheap and just make a wooden frame for them.

[@hatedcritic8066]

Hey, I know you probably read this all the time, but thank you for the inspiration. I always want to get back to my woodworking projects after seeing one (or more) of your videos. I would still be sanding things to remove wood instead of using a hand planer without you. haha. I have started to think about steaming a nice piece of plywood to make a curved roof for my horizontal beehive. I'll let you know when I succeed. Thanks again, and keep up the inspiration.

[@UncleTriangle]

Would you do an update video on the root cellar?

[@Doxymeister]

Your workmanship is wonderful, even on something as simple as a wooden firewood carrier. Very soothing to watch, as well--and some kitty thrown in like a desert. Well done!

[@kirkmarrie8060]

Perfection! KUDOS!!!!

[@MrChickadee]

Glad you like it!

[@larrykelly2838]

Nice built carrier, I could use one of those.

[@Vlad-f2q8n]

super. very interesting to watch, not knowing what it will be, thanks for the video. I noticed you have a lot of seedlings, namely red Canadian oak, I am from Ukraine, and this autumn I planted near the house 3 of the same Canadian oak, I hope they will take root in the spring)

[@E.lectricityNorth]

I love your videos, and all the amazing techniques you use to make your projects. I have been toying around with the idea of trying to design a sort of small ark, made without metal parts to hold it together. Have you ever done any wooden boat building?

[@ClintsHobbiesDIY]

I've always admired you level of patience. This vid was the same. Merry Christmas.

[@TokyoSilver]

Great video! We love your tools 意義深い動画ありがとう　楽しみました /// 参考になりました　Love & Crete!

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

That fire is absolutely kitty approved!

[@Budietoyka]

Your videos help with my anxiety. Thank you!

[@wayneclark7048]

Cat tested and approved too.

[@clydedecker765]

Roy Underhill made a video showing how to split wood using a fro to keep the wood splitting as straight and equal as possible by using the fro to force the splits straight and true. I'd say you have managed it well yourself Too many do not have the patience and will to persevere and get a straight well grained piece of wood with a fro. Well done sir. The simple use of keeping wood wet in the pond was a well planned and patient use of nature and an understanding of wood and its properties. Then applying age old methods to carve the uses from the wood. Your library of study in crafts must be true gems. Thank you for showing all of us it is still possible to apply skill and patience to truly work with nature and be sustained. Most of the rest of the world would have taken more expedient ways to achieve the tasks at hand.

[@MrChickadee]

This wood was the trunk of the same hickory I felled back in the summer to harvest chair seating bark from, nice and straight grown with little branches. It was a bit brash, having grown slow, so not as tough as some good fast grown stuff, but that would likely have branches, so give and take.

[@nicholasnapier2684]

This is true testament to things being so simple why can’t we do everything this way…

[@mikecurtis2585]

Nice always a great job 👍! Amazing!

[@cameronb76]

Love it.

[@stephenrice4554]

Nice job and well appreciated by the cat , great tools that are a joy to use , the brace and bit can't be beaten for those jobs , and I use a Holly wood maul with froes , nice controlled strike . Great video 👍🇬🇧

[@franks122]

Excellent work, I enjoy videos wet hand tools. Thanks for sharing.

[@fraserbuilds]

i needed some extra inspiration to get down to the shop in the cold today and this was just the thing! incredible craftsmanship with such a beautiful result. its amazing what a person can do with a draw knife.

[@jameskniskern2261]

Beautiful work, as always. Thank you for sharing the handiwork and snippets of your life with us.

[@SH-fi8sn]

Love this :)

[@mkultra6664]

What a cute kitty!

[@WisconsinWanderer]

Very nice sir thank you to you and your cat!

[@nickoakley69]

Gotta keep the boy warm

[@bobfromsea]

I just love your videos as they are great and inspiring. I once got a great tip how to clean the large glass door of my fireplace very effectively and no need of purchased cleaning agents and always at hand.. it is just using a wet paper tissues (paper towel) that you tap on the cold ashes of the day before and rub the glass with it - first it turns all black but if you then use a second clean wet paper towel to remove the dirt all will be clear without much effort!

[@intooblivion2114]

👍😎

[@andyc972]

Interesting design and techniques, a pleasure to watch, as always, thanks !

[@ir356]

Another great video! The designs you use are always so inspirational and I love the way you incorporate very traditional joinery techniques, although at first it was a little nerve wracking watching a square dowel go into a round hole, haha. Stay warm, this carrier is sure to come in handy this winter :D

[@oliverclothesoff5397]

The first couple seconds of this video made me go peepee. That water sounds gets me everytime.

[@jeffreyarmstrong2800]

Thank you for sharing this. What a beautiful project!!

[@asmith7876]

Excellent work, like always. So nice to work with wood that splits that nicely!

[@ricobarenschee4369]

What a lovely piece of work.

[@totohidemm2089]

superb !

[@leifhietala8074]

Another thing you can do is to wrap cordage around the corners that were bent. That will help prevent cracking in future, or more fiber ends lifting up. For maximum reinforcement, you can paint glue onto the cordage once it's wrapped, which will make for an extremely strong area.

[@terihomer5316]

Great project, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.

[@heyyoubuddy6749]

You my friend are awesome. All that work to care for your beloved kitty cat! I love it!!! God bless you, your beautiful wife and kitty babies. Merry Christmas

[@MrChickadee]

You are so kind

[@watchful1168]

Wonderful brother!

[@shaneroper5470]

Just like my cat. On a cushion by the fire. Nice job!

[@worklion50]

WOW, And that was growing out in the yard....

[@lanevotapka4012]

Great job, Mr. C!

[@محمدمطاوع-ج5ج]

صديقي احب اعمالك جداً ولكنها أصبحت قليله أرجو أن تتمكن و تمتعنا بالمزيد وكل عام وانتم بألف خير وسنه جديده سعيده عليكم

[@ClarksKentuckyKnives]

That’s awesome! Greatly enjoy your videos.

[@anthonywall5227]

Thank you

[@richtawney9877]

This reminds me that I still need to make a froe.

[@maximegrundrich]

bonjour super bon travail respect pour cet demonstration

[@cherylstraub5970]

It is good to see you back. I have missed seeing your videos. Now all you need to build is a neck yoke for carrying how carriers with. That would be much more comfortable then just a straight stick across your shoulders. Keep up the wonderful videos. Happy holidays to you and yours.

[@royramey5659]

Haven't seen you in awhile, so glad your back . Don't know if you took a break or if it's my end.

[@stihl888]

Nice work Josh!

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ВасилийТёркин-м1г]

Красивая вещь. Отличная работа.

[@Lovintruckinusa]

Timing

[@ericroadking7564]

Fantastic!!

[@chin846]

Que fino trabajas, da gusto verte!.