Oiling Wood to Prevent Rot and Last a Lifetime

[@M.Campbell]

When I was growing up, we had an elderly neighbor who kept a large, deep and, sturdy wooden box of sand by his shed door. He'd occasionally pour used motor oil in it. After he used any of his gardening or yard tools he'd plunge them up and down in the sand to clean off all the soil, or sap, and coat them with oil, before he put them away. I never saw a speck of rust on any tool he owned. Even as a kid I was impressed with the idea.

[@percyfaith11]

wiping them with the oil would have the same effect with the added benefit of not dulling the edges with the abrasive sand.

[@3991-m6u]

Seems like a good system if you only want to protect the tools, but you probably wouldn't want to eat any vegetables he grew.

[@user-dm8kz8ul8h]

@@percyfaith11I’m not too concerned with the dullness of a rake or a hoe… or even a pitchfork tbh

[@hhjhj393]

I personally think it's ok for things to decay. I think sometimes we as men have an obsession with things lasting forever. I suffer from this too obviously. There is something genetically drilled into me for wanting things to "last a lifetime", but as I grow older I have learned that maybe the best thing is for things to decay. Plastics are something that can last hundreds of years and we are learning the consequences of that. Sometimes it's okay to let things die. Would we REALLY want to live in a world where things lasted forever? You can't build anything new if everything keeps existing. I say do maintenance sure, and obviously I think it's okay to take care of things and get value out of things, but I am not so sure I want to go crazy in an attempt to keep things to last.

[@zubrismusic]

@@hhjhj393this. Things are meant to “go back to the earth” as we say to our three year old. Great point

[@DAH-ss1nu]

Back in the 70s my dad and I did fence posts by standing them in a tall metal bucket of used motor oil sitting in a low fire, then letting the fire go out and letting the oil cool down and then we'd remove the posts and do another batch, about a 3-4 hour cycle each time. Most of those posts are still standing 50 years later.

[@cliffclark6441]

Yes i helped build a shed done with hot oil about 1968, it is still standing. we had 55 gallon barrel over a fire put post in it, for several hours. The rest of shed was done with oil diesel mix and brushed on.

[@leoboel3054]

Can't wait to see what you are doing !!!

[@khills1181]

Can’t you either oil it OR char it? Why do both to the same log? I’ve heard the char method will last 100 years.

[@nathangagnon701]

@@khills1181 for looks.

[@cumbaja3456]

@@khills1181 charring creates certain toxic products but remains solid. Oiling it, hope you do not have a well or vegetable garden nearby leaching.

[@johnlennon8653]

My grandpa was a blacksmith/ wagon builder who did much the same thing with fence posts and wagons. My job, when I visited the farm, was to turn the logs at the right time after oiling and burning, something I learned quickly. Pretty much an art lost in time for many, just like blacksmithing over coal, which was my other job, pumping the bellows to keep the proper temperature. I miss those days in the 60-70s , but I’ve never forgotten what he taught me.

[@3May]

it's lost for the same reason we don't spray DDT in residential neighborhoods anymore, or any of the other messed up things we used to do. it's incredibly toxic.

[@Lokiiiii1352]

@@3Mayhow is the wood burning and oil toxic, and if it’s the motor oil couldn’t you substitute it with pine tar and other natural materials ?

[@therealrobertbirchall]

​@@3Mayyep it's toxic but you have to use it less often, it saves wood and forrets in the long-term, and it doesn't wash off into the soil at the first sign of rain like modern water based preservatives do. Preservatives that have to be transported, usually on diesel trucks, all over the place and contain novel chemical compounds the long term effects have yet to become apparent.

[@randyblackburn9765]

Daddy started plumbing in 1947 and made two carry open tool boxes from wood . Back in the early days we threaded pipe and cutting oil was on everything we used . The boxes never rotted even though they were in the open in the truck bed . We started running copper and cpvc in the mid seventies and the boxes were so oil soaked that they never rotted .

[@ourv9603]

My elder neighbor taught me to make fencepost last 40+ years like his old ones did to soak the bottom of our new fenceposts in a bucket of creosote (coal tar) overnight. THEN, sink the posts and concrete them in. Oh, yeah, & build the concrete around the post up like an anthill so rainwater will flow away from the posts. !

[@goatman3828]

That's what we use on our farm. Still have a barrel of it. Been 'illegal' here since I was a kid. The posts would soak for a week. When we had enough posts ready we would replace old fencing. That was when I was around 12 I think. Today I am almost 60. Fence still going strong. Have had to replace wire, but the posts are still doing great. That's a half century. The new T-posts will never last as long.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

The creosote treatment I saw years ago had fence posts standing up in a barrel of it for weeks, and even months at a time. I'm not sure if creosote is available anymore.

[@cumbaja3456]

@@joewoodchuck3824 Creosote is the left over residue of the oil refinery. A mix of chemical soup you want to stay away from.

[@rickwhitson2804]

Anytime one gets to work with wood it's a win win 💪💯

[@KuskWild]

Agreed! Thanks for watching.

[@bretthess6376]

Scorch em and oil em. That's the way to do it. For natural wood, me and a neighbor cut and sawmilled a 30" thick Osage Orange tree back about 1991. Made a bunch of tool handles out of it. Haven't broken one yet.

[@M.Campbell]

Osage is a fantastic wood. I've seen houses, over a hundred year old, with Osage pilings and they are as sound as they were on day one.

[@PERARH]

Привет из Сибири. Я пробовал подобный способ обработки древесины. Оказалось, что брёвна служат на 2-3 года дольше. Мицелий грибов легко преодолевает 5-10мм обугленной древесины и пожирает сердцевину. Результатом я не доволен. В этом году буду варить нижнюю часть столбов в масле. Масло в основном отработанное моторное + животный жир + смола хвойных деревьев + берёзовый дёготь. Рассчитываю, что при нагреве масла, вода в клетках древесины будет испаряться, полисахариды разрушатся, а при остывании, клетки затянут масло на большую глубину.

[@AndersonsprairieviewfarmAnders]

A friend's dad built a pine privacy fence out of lumber he milled witha Alaskan saw mill, then he oiled it with used motor oil, and repeated it again a year later. Its well over 40 years old and is still standing and no repairs.

[@KarlLew]

I scorch standard lumber for planters using a blowtorch. Oil toxicity is a nogo for planters. Thanks for video!

[@Hellsong89]

Depends on oil in question but what i did do is to burn, didnt even scrape it, just coated with pine tar and then heated a bit well as let them sit in sun so tar really soaks in deep. Furthermore i used pine that was collected from really rocky hill with little water and nutrients so slow growth hence really really tight grain full of natural resin. Burning will kill off fungi and such from the surface and tar works as bug repellent. Only thing with store bought tar is that there usually is some solvent used but those do evaporate over time. Would not take inside but on the outside just fine and if you put in plastic or something separating the wood and soil, there should not be issues, or let it sit in direct sunlight few weeks/ when its cured completely.

[@twc9000]

I've wondered about the oil toxicity leaching into the ground and contaminating crops and pasture, but the utility companies have no problem putting creosote soaked poles on my property. That doesn't mean that it is safe, but it makes me wonder how toxic is it?

[@docstockton5564]

Back in the 1700s, colonists in America would soak fence posts in a tub of raw linseed oil and charcoal powder. The raw linseed oil does not cure like the boiled. Some of those fences are still standing today.

[@kulturfreund6631]

If I remember correctly boiling linseed oil is meant to cause some oxidation, which lets the oil "dry" (polymerise) quicker . But it loses through heating on some other property (forgot which it was). I read the comment of a chemistry student who said he would preoxydise the oil by placing one of these aquarium air bubble balls (don’t know the English word) into the bucket containing the oil for about two weeks.

[@ferdautomaton9904]

I wish I saw this twenty years ago when I put my cedar posts in concrete. Now I have to replace them.

[@Cabinlab]

​@@ferdautomaton9904Posts set in concrete have an increased chance of rot in general. It tends to trap moisture in the wood. Oiling and scorching don't prevent the water ingress.

[@sawdustadikt979]

50/50 diesel and used motor oil, that what I run in my truck! Ya, burning and oil treating is the way to go. Great video!

[@KuskWild]

😂😂😂

[@abc-ed1nr]

What motor?

[@sawdustadikt979]

@@abc-ed1nr vp44 Cummins

[@BillyBlaze7]

You guys with access to straight timber are so lucky

[@Onelove313]

Never thought of it like that. What materiala do you have access to in your neck area?

[@BillyBlaze7]

@@Onelove313 Mainly oak trees. If we we want to build something with our timber it has to be milled into dimensional lumber first.

[@EntrepreneurialSpirit85]

Move to Minnesota my friend you will be overwhelmed with with glorious green leafy bastards

[@BillyBlaze7]

@@EntrepreneurialSpirit85 I'll take my Oaks, straight timber isnt worth communism lol.

[@philliphall5198]

I brush used oil on all my fence posts for years and my dad did the same to the same post, still good post 80 years later 😮

[@aidanhastings4710]

Subbed when I saw the tidiness of your wood pile! Excellent skills my brother.

[@michaellynskey7124]

Good to see someone use these natural products rather then wood which has been through a sawmill, The posts look fantastic colour and will definitely last a long time🇮🇪.

[@johnc8112]

Great video keep up the awesome work you do another beautiful video of tips and tricks

[@davidinghram2494]

Nice and quiet out there working.

[@slkelise]

You have used an ancient method to preserve the wood. The Japanese call it shou sugi ban... burnt cedar or plank. It's brilliant and so beautiful. Your work is always amazing!

[@Luckypinky83]

I am a new subscriber. I love the sound of the trees and wind as you are brushing oil into the logs!

[@susanvaughn741]

I plan to use a large steel pipe as a vacuum chamber to oil soak logs under vacuum.

[@KuskWild]

Sounds like it will work wonders!

[@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649]

It'll work great.

[@62Cristoforo]

Curious why you’d use vacuum instead of pressure? Pressure treated lumber is popular today for outdoor applications. I’m just wondering how the two methods compare?

[@susanvaughn741]

I can use both. But vacuum can cause excess water to boil and vaporize, leaving more room for oil penetration. Then the normal air pressure can force oil into the cell structure. If you cycle the pressure and vacuum several times you can fill all the air spaces in the wood with oil. If you add heat to the oil to reduce the viscosity it can penetrate better.

[@bigoldgrizzly]

@@62Cristoforo traditionally utility poles were heated under vacuum to strip moisture, then pressure cooked in creosote. This gives a good 3 inch penetration into the timber log - good for a hundred years. If you are reusing cut down poles, always treat the bottoms before you plant them, or they will rot out hollow after a few years

[@JacuzziFlats]

Lots of manual work, which is no easy task. Got mad respect for these types of fellas! Honestly Id be down to shadow/work with someone just to get knowledge and help them out.

[@eastcoastcabinfever]

I just jump on board good channel ✌️

[@ThePowermountain]

Rad info sir! Looks great! Rock on

[@ARAW-__-]

Saturating the wood with boiled linseed oil has been the way to go for me ! My russian shovel that I bring outdoors all the time has not any sign of wood decay while I don't really mind it being wet. I don't leave the handle touching the ground though, especially when I sleep outside.

[@LeeHill66]

If I had that many log to coat, I would build a trough to soak them in.

[@WestForkWoodsman]

That used crank case oil is good for all kinds of stuff. Back on the farm we used it to cure lice on our butcher hogs. Tie a gummy sack to a stick, and start swabbing. It sure did a good job on those beautiful timbers. Another top notch job of work, Kusk!

[@johnmead8437]

Using an oil can or dribbler, applying a thin continuous line of oil top of ears to tail along the spine cures pig lice. Don't need swabbing & it's easy to do from above & not very intrusive.

[@mariatorres9789]

I've heard of crank shaft oil on fence before. Yep.

[@alexdroban4312]

Looks great.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Childhood barn had 30 years of oil changes sprayed all over it. Was fine till the tractor's hot muffler caught some straw alight. Burned so hot it melted the siding off the neighbor's house 150 feet away. It burned like it was soaked in oil... imagine that. Maybe get some borax in there or use pressure treated. The original was noted for fire resistance. Not sure about now, recipe varies.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

I paint my fences with old engine oil. Only the best straight out of my Harley.

[@shawnnelson6146]

My uncles used to mix used motor oil and diesel in a garden pressure sprayer as a means to lubricate all the roller chains on a old corn-picker

[@bigoldgrizzly]

Built a log shed over 30 years ago out of 3/8 to 1/2 inch thick larch lap siding [it was second hand wood stripped from old fence panels, so already a good few years old when I got it] Gave it a few days of hot weather to dry it out thoroughly once it was all up before coating with as much 50/50 diesel/used engine oil as it would soak up. I re coat every 4 or 5 years and it is still sound and dry after all this time. Just plain old nails too but they never rusted ps forgot to say, I paint the bottom 18 inches 'splash zone' with heavy tar thinned with gas. It is always the bottom boards that rot out first ...... well, normally it is, mine are still fine

[@KuskWild]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@Matt-d8m]

If you can get your hands on cedar posts they last the longest naturally. Before Hydro started using pressure treated poles, all the untreated poles were tarred at the bottoms to prevent rot.

[@fluffycotton4683]

Did enjoy, thank you, though envied more, now subscribed, so chilling/refreshing to watch & listen, bless you too.

[@cmh8133]

God Bless you.

[@joshwilcox8008]

Love your channel! I’m using your recipe for outdoor wood oil from now on. Keep up the good work!

[@4trialsin]

The logs look great!

[@samsnephew3209]

Excellent video. Old school proofing

[@johnsolidsnake]

Nice job, thanks for uploads

[@lucasroe2878]

Loved that mate. Thanks

[@unclejohnbulleit2671]

We used old motor oil and sulfur for dogs with mange. We painted the barn, sheds, anything that needed preserving with old motor oil.

[@cliffclark6441]

Still do, use it on the sheds and brush down my plows and other implements ever time i unhook them from the tractor.

[@schretien8714]

Where can one get used motor oil? These gallon cans of big box stores (Home Depot or Lowe's) stain/waterproofing or sealing does not last for lumber also from big box stores. I'm so tired of replacing our deck which was nearly impossible to take apart due difficulty of trying to get screws out. Texas is the worst for heat (direct sun), humidity, & rain on lumber!! Thanks

[@GaryIKILLYOU]

@@schretien8714 uhhhh well changing your own oil in your vehicles is how most people get it. Start there, or ask a shop if you can have some used oil (they will probably say no.)

[@stevecochran9078]

@@schretien8714 You can start by asking repair shops for used oil or even offering to buy it from them at a nominal price. Also changing your own motor oil should give you a minimum of 5qts per vehicle.

[@roguecthulhu6002]

During my whole childhood, up until college, used motor oil was the only wood stain that was ever used in our household.

[@tiasunepamri1944]

May I know how long it last?

[@billypayne6197]

@@tiasunepamri1944 , we did it to fence posts when I was very young - around 10 maybe . They are still there/here and look as good as they did the day they were set . I don't know how long they last - I got to outlive the posts to tell you . grin

[@Servant_of_Christ]

In Sweden we use a tool called "barkspade" to strip off the bark, way easier than with a draw knife.

[@todlevandoski3542]

Do u have a pic of it

[@trinitytoo]

Bark spud is name in N. Am.

[@iansmith4702]

I was honestly wondering why he didn’t use one.

[@browngreen933]

I use a heavy machete. Works well. Gotta investigate a Bark spud.

[@cliffclark6441]

The oil works pretty good, but after taking the suffer out of diesel it dont work as well, Old trick few people know now days, is how to build water tight wood box using salt water, the wood socks up the salt water and swells up closing the cracks in the wood making the box water tight, because when it drys the salt stays in the wood, it stays water tight. i have seen these boxes lay out in the weather for years and not rot, and because of the salt in the wood are bug proof. The rough sawed board and batten around my house is treated with motor oil and diesel mix. It has held up pretty good, but next time i will add salt to the mix, to keep the carpenter bees away, no bee or insect will bore into salty wood.

[@surewhatever8843]

Plain ol’ salt? What’s the ratio, you think, of salt to water? I’m hunting for natural preservation techniques that don’t involve petro.

[@cliffclark6441]

@@surewhatever8843 Water can only adsorb salt until saturated, just pour 50 pound of salt into barrel, once water takes up a certain amount of salt the salt just sets there,until new water is added. Making salt boxes we always just take a cattle salt block, put it in the box,and keep it filled with water. Until the box has swelled and no longer leaks water.

[@markwilson7788]

You are so lucky not to live in the UK, using old engine oil here nowdays would be life imprisonment. Strongest treatment we are allowed here is cold tea!

[@niallwildwoode7373]

Only a problem if you shout out what you're doing.

[@johnmead8437]

@@niallwildwoode7373 If we all crap up the planet now it prevents the problem of it deteriorating slower.

[@demonicsquid7217]

Not true actually, if you're doing this on your own property it's absolutely fine.

[@Isaac-YLYL]

@@johnmead8437 Yes, because cutting down more trees because you can't make your wood last longer is totally going to save the planet. So is putting all that old oil in the landfill.

[@BornTrespasser]

​@@Isaac-YLYLused motor oil doesn't go into landfills

[@philipworl9340]

Looks Great! Thank You!

[@warghem]

Huge beard envy! Love the channel bro!

[@MrT13]

Dunno if you care but you can run diesel oil through a hand pump sprayer. And if you use this mix and put a cinder block down in your hole, then fill it with concrete and build up your cap at least 12-15” above grade. It’ll last at least 70 years. That’s how old the main beams are on one of my family camps… cypress cut from exactly where the camp sits in the 50’s. Re coat every 5 ish years.

[@internalreality]

Love ur content Brother, happy trails

[@BUTTEWORKS]

Great content, I found the idea of oil-diesel mix very interesting and will definitely use it in my fence. Perhaps using some additional black stain to make the oil darker. Thank you.

[@Jman76533]

Nice job!!

[@Tinkering902]

Love all the new videos!

[@KuskWild]

Thanks for watching!

[@cody481]

You might consider having a lid less barrel in your shed. Half full of 50% used oil. 50% diesel. Just put 1 end of the post in the oil. Longer soaking is better. Less work, more planning.

[@Bob.Jenkins]

Agreed. The end grain will be the place most susceptible to absorbing water and being attacked by insects - a 'few' coats isn't going to be a 100th has effective as even a single overnight soak.

[@TheConlinHomestead]

We will be doing something similar in the next month, and I am totally going to be using this idea to soak the ends! Thank you!

[@outdoorsman357]

My dad would char the post, use the old motor oil and soak them in oil

[@michaelovitch]

Diesel engine oil has soot in it : it will stick better and protect longer,like charcoal.

[@harry8506]

my dad had a long trough where he put the logs and filled it with sump oil, he would leave them soak for weeks then let them dry

[@terrym1065]

I'm tired, time for a beer now. Looking good sir, a roll model for all. Good work!

[@KuskWild]

Enjoy! Thanks for watching.

[@brendanoneill6267]

There's always time for beer 🍺

[@overlordsshadow]

I've got a similar old steel tractor tire firepit! Central Saskatchewan

[@gentlegiants1974]

I use straight used motor oil on my wooden box manure spreader every fall when I put it away. I also use it for undercoating my trucks. I shoot it with a cheap electric paint sprayer or brush as required. Cedar posts I don't treat, but those red pine and spruce would need something for sure.

[@DEFENDERNZ]

Use a tomato sauce bottle, or similar, to hold and dispense your oil. You can put a lid on the bucket, work with both hands and using the nozzle of the bottle, inject oil into holes and crevices that a brush cant. Easy to seal at the end of the day too!

[@jfakoggl]

I wonder weather the diesel and engine oil will make the nice firewood shack smell permanently like a petrol station in the beautiful nature?

[@KuskWild]

After a few days the logs are dry to the touch and the smell goes away after a week or two.

[@SteveSmith-zz4ih]

There was an old Nordic theory that harvesting timber (plus planting veges) on a full moon had a positive effect on the longevity of the timber, there is a timber church built around 800ad that is still ok structurally, "Mr Chickadee" (yt) did the burn and oil on one of his timber out buildings. The Japanese did this for centuries.

[@zfsz1835]

harvesting more dry wood when fool moon

[@cliffclark6441]

Just like the moon pulls on the ocean, it pulls water up in the trees, it makes a hell of a difference in amount of water in the wood. Cut wood for your own use, always cut the trees in winter after the sap goes away. Lumber dries easy,and dont warp.

[@demonicsquid7217]

It makes zero difference to the water content in an individual tree. The moon exerts so little gravitational effect at that scale that it is not worth worrying about. On a macro scale you can see the effect on the earth's tides etc, but that is the culmination of billions of tiny objects being affected at a miniscule level.

[@lukeboulter8735]

@@cliffclark6441 cut it in the winter and, if its a deciduous tree, it will possibly grow back from the stump the next spring

[@cliffclark6441]

@@lukeboulter8735 You can cut a tree when dormant ,in the spring put post in ground, and a lot of them will sprout make limbs and grow into short trees.

[@kazparzyxzpenualt8111]

I have heard that carefully melting bees wax into turpentine and linseed oil in a double boiler set up can preserve all kinds of wood projects. Old wood really soaks it up and fresh wood might not take too much. It does work as the most beautiful finish for furniture projects. The ratios are pretty basic too. One egg sized lump of bees wax to 1 cup of the two liquids. Paraffin wax can also be used but it is not as wonderful for the luster and polish. But in exterior exposure situations this formula can be adjusted. For instance wax makes wood pretty water proof think waterproof match. So it might be beefed up in the formula. And I always reasoned that the hot liquid helped penetration as did also the solvent qualities of the turpentine. I have also used just paint thinner. But never boiled linseed oil. The motor oil as a go to ought to concern anyone more than it seems to in my opinion when it comes to ground contact. But I have not considered how bad turpentine might be in the same worry. I do see merit in charring anything made of wood that gets stuck in the ground. The complex pyrolysis process actually transforms the wood into something very different when it is properly done. I am no expert. I want to experiment. But I do tend to see charring as a very useful skill to learn to preserve fence posts and ground contact building materials. I forget the Japanese name for it. Those craftsmen perfected it. Need to learn much more about this.

[@johnmazza9432]

Antifreeze is also a great wood preservative. Kills insects and fungus.

[@darkrose-k1h]

We had the idea to place used feed sacks (poly blend material) on the bases of posts we plant. I think it will work well to protect them and prevent any creosote or arsenic treatment the post may have from leaching into the soil over time.

[@Charlie-oj4wj]

You can get old sump oil for free. It dries to the touch quite quickly in warm weather and will protect the wood for years.

[@MrMunchman69]

With my experiences as a sandblaster blasting log houses and restaining them, if you spread oil on a log with a brush it will only soak in so far then creat a shell that looks solid. The truth is that the center is rotting away. As the carpenter, imagine trying to replace the rotten log at the bottom of a log house wall. Cracks in the log will let in moisture and there is the problem. If you use a sealer on the log, the moisture can not escape. Choose wisely.

[@raimopuuvark]

👍🏻great stuff

[@hoenircanute]

I hope u picked up that bark and dried it, fabulous fire starter! xD

[@DavidK-r7w]

Epic project with and epic beard!! Thanks for the tips, can't wait to see the finished project!!

[@voidFutureVector]

Epic beard.

[@marttimattila9561]

Most important thing in wooden Airplanes is to keep oil out from wooden structure because mineral oil makes wood to loose its strenght. Same thing with wooden bridges.

[@CrimeVid]

Used Diesel oil for the bottom of the posts, needs to come at least 9" above ground level. Paint the rest of the post, rails, whatever in normal used motor oil. If you habitually lean against the fence, it'll mess up your clothes years afterwards, don't ask ! A fifty gallon drum with it's top cut off, three quarters full of used diesel oil will help and soaking the posts overnight helps.

[@Jb-uy5zx]

Sweet, I oil my wood almost every day.

[@barbarabarker6753]

ha ha!

[@garygates5679]

LMAO ...!!!!!

[@bigtroll8249]

Sicko!

[@mariatorres9789]

You should find a lady to help with that. 😅

[@robertbooth7396]

Excellent KZbin. Thank you for taking the time to produce and share this KZbin. Sorry for the question that will reveal my ignorance, but, what is the purpose for charring some of the logs and not others?

[@threeriversforge1997]

You can still buy Pine Tar, though it's pricey even when buying a gallon at a time. I mix a 50/50 blend of Pine Tar and Turpentine to make a wood preservative like the sailors used to keep their ships sound in the water. It works wonderfully, and you'll find nothing better to keep tool handles strong and lively.

[@Sinky-t3i]

Spent engine antifreeze works fine too but the wood has to be soaked or immersed in it

[@ejsocci2630]

Awesome 👏🏻 awesome

[@Hellsong89]

My tip would be to find slowly grown trees that have been growing with little water and nutrients on rocky hill, so really tight grain structure full of natural resin. Then burn the surface and apply coat of pine tar on top, let sit in the sun or heat it with flame so it seep into the wood. Keep repeating until it wont soak anymore and let it cure. This will make it 100 year post, if you dig a hole, compact the bottom with stump that has handles, put gravel on the bottom even it out and leave distance of least 10cm more if its heavy rain area or ground does not let water seep trough easy like clay for instance. Then put down flat rock, stomp it down to compact, put the post down on the center and start adding round rocks pushing them into place. Finally before getting on top add earth separating fabric or if going with natural theme coconut fibers or jute fabric round the post and on top smaller gravel. This allows water not sit against the post, unlike if you pour concrete in there.

[@thomasgeraghty5374]

In Ireland a treated 4 inch wood fence post, lasting 7 years. Rot at the ground level. Ole telegraph poles ya think be great. Rot from the inside out. 15 years maybe. I've treated fence rails with used diesel oil. Didn't spare it either! Large scale fencing on a farm. Not good results either! Concrete fence posts are the only awnser!

[@timhughes5939]

Before cleaning up the char place a tarp down to catch pitch and add to oil .

[@jessicaleighdargaclark4536]

What a cool start to the project. I can't wait to see what you do next and my little dude and I are gonna be trying to make similar small projects using some of your ideas this weekend camping! Anyone have any recommendations for a starter pocket knife /style of knife and/or projects for a mature 5 year old? (By mature I mean he has a healthy respect for sharp things and following directions when using them)

[@KuskWild]

My recommendation for a starter knife for a 5 year old would be the Morakniv Scout 39 Safe. It's a fixed-blade knife (can't fold or collapse on fingers) and it has a rounded tip so stab wounds are far less likely. It's a good knife to teach a young person proper knife handling techniques. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@DomDom-tw5jk]

I would dream to make a film about that in Oilingwood

[@GailMatthis]

I always wondered why people don't oil the wood to prevent rot and bug infestation.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Although time consuming, using these methods to construct a log structure would ensure that it would last indefinitely.

[@martinriley106]

Live materials like wood always shrink and expand so you always end up with cracks in the wood. Just look at most of the period building here in the U.K.?

[@kenfulkerson9567]

Oiling and Staining will also keep off the bugs and wood will last longer, bugs don`t eat stained or oiled wood. This gives longevity to your project, but don`t skimp on the application 2 or even 3 coats are required for best results. Nothing works like old school.

[@nickmarra6407]

It’s basically how railroad ties are preserved

[@KennyRider137]

Every video where someone is shaving bark off a tree I want to say “get some goats!”

[@pl7868]

50/50 linseed an turpintine is what i use but any oil on wood is good 🙂

[@spokanefut]

Did this sort of poor man's creosoting years ago, except we had a kind of assembly line going where we dug a tank, lined it with a good tarp, and dropped our logs into it right after burning ASAP after scraping off most of the cinders and ash but sometimes even with bits of still-burning embers, and boy, would that hot wood suck up the drain oil!!!! Give it a try, you'll like the results, and you'll only need enough kerosene to thin it on those cold mornings. By the time your next log's ready to dip, your oily one is ready to pull and drain (on end).

[@jamesbernsen3516]

Question on oil and creosote, that's been mentioned below. What kind of building are you using this for? My understanding is that creosote is (and oil might be) toxic if used for a house or something, but for a shed or outbuilding that you don't want to live in, it's probably fine. Is this what is going on? Am I off on my understanding of these kind of mixes? Just wanting to know in case I want to try this technique out.

[@G.I.JeffsWorkbench]

Good to see this method still being used. You might speed things up a bit (if you want to) by using a medium sized household sponge instead of a brush. You’re right, these property prepared logs will outlast you if given a touch up every few years. Thanks for reminding folks about this old timey technique.

[@MonkPetite]

The other remedy against wood rot is “carb-oleum” this is nato hard to get as original tar is not longer used as a basis for that. But the old receipt was awesome for wood that stands in water.

[@scotteric8711]

Ancient civilizations used natural tar pits, or made mostly natural tar pits. Their structures laated thousands of yeas this way. But of course we also had far more mature trees then as well, with more dense grain structures.

[@lolh4x]

Riley can oil my wood any day. JK love the content dude, you got a real cozy setup there. Cheers from Kelowna

[@ab_ab_c]

Those fuel/oil soaked poll would likely burn quite fast--if you had the misfortune of having a fire in your final structure.

[@KidChaosH2O]

This dont work here in georgia ive even drilled holes in them and soaked them for weeks but if they are buried as posts they will rot in 3 years here. The only solution is to get them above ground and bolt them to concrete which is in the ground to get them away from moisture. Even ground rated treated wood here only gets you 7 years anymore.

[@Raul28153]

you need a peavey to keep your chain saw out of the dirt Make a notch in that tall stump to receive your logs.

[@carlosclaptrix]

Nice beard and everything else!

[@deesmith6363]

Seal oil mixed 50/50 with boiled linseed oil will preserve wood for hundreds of years.