Raising our timber frame workshop

In this video we assemble the bents of our workshop frame, draw bore peg them together, then lift them up into position using a block and tackle coupled with a lifting shear. We used a capstan to lift the first bent before realizing a little team pulling was faster and easier.
mrchickadee.wo...

[@sabriyyaabdur-rauf1708]

I am new to your videos, and just wanted to mention that they are both (REALLY) educational and the silent background to you work gives them an almost meditative feel. Thanks so much for sharing and preserving these skills.

[@sabriyyaabdur-rauf1708]

Awesome!

[@nickb3214]

I've been fascinated with nostalgia for years. I have built a dozen timber frame cabins and homes over the past 20 of them, but this by far takes the cake. I'm in awe not only of your values, but the artistic presentation of your craft. I've never in my life witnessed a creation so in depth to what the tools do... in the hands of a craftsman. I can feel the taps of your mallets, I can sense the bite of the drill bits as you hand crank them. I can smell the cold steel of your knife against the pegs as you form them. Your videos to me are magical. Your values are deep! All the best!

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you for this, I would love to see some of your frames!

[@jolujo5842]

I'm loving it! Timber frame construction should be taught in every school.

[@themightyparthos]

Then none of the kids would want any of this modern garbage that is offered.

[@specialized29er86]

A man who works with his hands is a laborer, A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman, But a man who works with his hands, his brain and his heart is an artist.

[@phillipyeager3176]

Really enjoyed the video. Very spiritual building this way. Looks like you found some barn beams and repurposed them. Love it when we can save some of our heritage. A nice touch tucking a penny into a mortise for someone to find in the future.I'm way too old to do this now, but work in my shop with hand tools, and experience the peace of being unplugged. It is therapeutic for a disabled Vietnam Marine vet. It heals my soul. Live in peace. Regards from Minnesota. Phil

[@kiaya007]

exceptional work Mr. Chickadee. i love how you got the misses to help so you don''t tire yourself out and can keep going. she sure is a good helper. Respect.

[@MrChickadee]

+wayne d Yes Im very blessed, thanks for the comment!

[@nodlon20]

Wow!! Great job! That's the way the Amish do it and our forefathers did it. Absolutely amazing, and you have to have a LOT of patience! I salute you!

[@gdpjm]

Love your videos. There's a lot of people who talk this type of building but you are the first person I've seen who actually is doing it. From what I see it is just you and your wife doing all the work by hand. Hats off to you two.

[@SamuraiYoshi3515]

I love this channel, these videos can bring me out of any slump. Most people around me, including myself, are too comfortable with tools that they don't even understand. Seeing you use your tools and being able to see their working parts is just so satisfying. I can understand them so quickly, and that feeling is only magnified by the fact that there is no dialogue. thank you very much for sharing these

[@raarnt]

Watching this makes me nostalgic for a time when people were connected to nature and natural things. Your videos are very calming and peaceful!

[@andrekalungapeters5273]

I built my own timber frame workshop too, bricked up the walls with old bricks, all myself, but I used machines, integrity I think has little to do with it here, it's an abundance of time, and no pressure to work to a finishing date. There are just fantastic machines that really help....although respect for doing it the hard way. I think I would have capitulated once I had proved to myself I could do it, and hurried on with machines....lol....but here it's not the finished work that's the goal, but the work itself. Respect.

[@RonaldLAbbey]

Amazing what can be accomplished with only two people working together....it staggers my mind that it didn't take 5+ people, even with a block & tackle, & capstan. Just to steady the sections until the were secured!!! LOVE what your doing!!! I've enjoyed this series & really look forward to each new video on the cabin. Best Wishes!!!

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you so much for the kind words, the other day I asked my wife, "did I really hew all this last year?" haha it surreal sometimes!

[@adamcturnbull]

I dont think viewers appreciate just how hard this is physically. I built a small house using power tools and its very hard on the body. Doing stuff while balancing on ladders, anything really is exhausting work. Especially big beams such as this. So a big hats off to you for this and thank you for taking the time to share it with us.

[@MrChickadee]

Many people have never done hard physical labor, at least here in the US. Even those who have, often find they feel their way is the only way. I find this work very humbling and mind opening, Ive tried many ways to do each thing to see what works best for me.

[@yanknoz9710]

Ha, ha, I just came back to watch again. Just finished the new capstan video and wanted to see if they were the same. Just love this video. Great to see such team work. All the best.

[@markstanden202]

That triumphant Laugh about 7'22" in... just as you KNOW the whole thing is coming together and fitting like a glove... Or as we say in London.. "almost like it was made for it, mate!"

[@LolitasGarden]

7:19 is my favorite part of all your videos. So satisfying to watch. It must've felt amazing.

[@barsoom43]

This is the old way of doing things, the way it was done at the founding of our country and still in practice in parts of our hill country.. I have a lot of respect for this man and his preservation of these old skills.

[@kevinwoodcock7578]

I can only imagine the sense of accomplishment you and your bride must feel from building such a beautiful building without the use of power tools. That construction screams tough and powerful and you did it all through muscle and team work. Lest I forget a shit ton of skill. Nice job!

[@tomnekuda3818]

Love to watch you do your work. I rebuilt old barns in my younger days that were built in this fashion......basically few or no nails (except little square shingle nails) and was accused of being a fibber.....this is the way they were built, folks, and they stood for over 100 years under all conditions. Wish I was still doing it.

[@yanknoz9710]

Man, this is an awesome build. Kudos to you and your Mrs. Your style of video is hypnotizing. Well done, and thank you.

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you!

[@yummboy2]

BRAVO and BRAVA! I'll bet you two slept well that night! I remain amazed at how much the two of you can accomplish without any additional help. I know your sense of accomplishment must be off the charts. Well done!!

[@craigwilcox6319]

You have excellent tools, and really take care of them. Good to see in this day of disposable "everything". Please keep up the great work.

[@robertcarmody612]

Mr. Chickadee, I've been watching your vlogs and I have to say that I'm extremely impressed. It's rare to see a person with the skill set that you have acquired. Congratulations!

[@ArthurC504]

Bruh I'm watching all his video's because it's so freakin relaxing and calming watching him drill a hole so peacefully in nature. .__.

[@WhiteFox011]

Loved your sound of satisfaction when that joint seated.

[@michaelwalker8320]

a true craftsmen lets his work speak for itself a lot of videos on timber framework you got someone gabing on about nothing great work brother

[@sambone5407]

this is the most informative video I've come across on raising a timber frame. excellent work my friend. And you did so with ingenuity and simple tools!

[@maydanlex]

Can't imagine the degree of satisfaction you get from living in a building like this.

[@matthewmclaren2143]

You must get so much Satisfaction, knowing youve built all these amazing withs from scratch

[@TheOwenMajor]

This is like the next step up from primitive technology, love it.

[@pamelas9]

That penny is going to confuse the hell out of some archeaologist in 300 years. "All indiications show that the construction of this dwelling is contemporary with the 1700s, however a 2015 coin was found, leading me to presume that my graduate students are pranking me."

[@everettamador9885]

Why the penny?

[@MacroAggressor]

It hadn't occurred to me that the penny was a "timestamp" so to speak. I was wondering what tradition or superstition he was paying homage to.

[@ddoyle11]

I love the sound of the Cicadas...reminds me of my childhood in Texas. Your videos are amazing.

[@MrChickadee]

I from Ft Worth Tx myself, not summer till the cicadas sing!

[@girthiusmaximius8486]

You are technically a artisan. Everything you do is hand made, Good job.

[@mightyjo3young]

Nice hearing the laugh when it came together for you! Awesome stuff.

[@JimmyDevere]

You are an inspiration. I'm 45 and my wife are expecting a son. I want to build is a house like this. Thanks for your videos.

[@phillipparker8947]

It just seems so much more rewarding after so much work put into making all the timber. Outstanding my friend. I have to subscribe to see more of your work .

[@markcummings2181]

Your videos are inspirational- craftsmanship exceptional and what I really like is that the timbers are not perfect yet the look is fantastic! Keep up the great work and videos!!

[@MrChickadee]

+Mark Cummings Thanks! Yes we really wanted to show that anyone can make a timber frame with only a felling axe as many were built by people in the past who had nothing more. After that we truly fell in love with the character of hand hewn timbers.

[@167curly]

Great teamwork for you both. Loved seeing the bright new penny being placed under that upright timber. That was the custom under the mainmast of bygone sailing shops too.

[@garysnyder2077]

You are amazing. My wife and I watched y’all build your workshop. Very impressive. I love woodworking but can’t do what you do at all. Your video on windows helped me identify a tool I have as a Set Mortise Gauge. Thanks

[@pebblesthecat3625]

Your lovely wife is so tiny, I was expecting to see you let go of the rope you were both pulling and her shooting off up in to the tree tops ! It's just lovely seeing you work together harmoniously.

[@KelikakuCoutin]

For sure there must be a brake on that tackle, so if someone lets go it will be caught up in the brake. No one shooting off to the trees, unfortunately. In any case at 10:35 you see her holding the rope alone. בס״ד

[@timothyrothrock4173]

That's the first time I ever saw setting a timber frame wall with one person. Very impressive.

[@edwinmercer9525]

Positively brilliant. The meticulous attention to detail and planning is fantastic. And I love the silence, others over explain and repeat themselves. Your work speaks for you. Inspiring. Thank you!

[@themightyparthos]

Mesmerizing. I imagine the time slips by without notice when doing these things, mine always did when I was truly crafting.

[@MikeyLC]

thats some awesome craftsmanship brother...glad to see some good things from the past are still being put to use..and getting passed on..

[@beargrylls235]

Every craftsman recognizes the feeling at 7:21!

[@davewygonowski984]

Spectacular. Nothing like the old traditional ways. I'd like to build me a pole barn type of structure similar in style. Thank you for showing how it's done.

[@youllregretit]

multiple levels? Will it have a sort of lean to roof? Will this be a living space as well, or many different people using it as a workshop? I'm currently timber framing a little chicken run. it's good to have people out there like you to humble me while i do little tiny projects. this is mind blowingly amazing. it's ridiculous that you're not known on youtube. i'm trying to spread your videos around. everyone wants to watch videos on how to glue wood together. do you ever think you're just so different that it's intimidating to relate to you or even watch your videos? well you got one weirdo hooked for sure.

[@MrChickadee]

youllregretit We are planning a half loft, and it will be our Mr. Chickadee workshop, which will house a smithy and joiner's/cabinet shop, and will most likely be our home as well until we build our cottage, so it needs a bit of space, but its only about 12X24 outside dimensions. Thanks for the kind words, Im a very rough amateur at all I attempt, every joint is a lesson in how I can do better next time! (If you look closely at the second bent you can see a wedged scarf joint in the tie beam because I measured wrong! Had to scarf in about 2' from one top plate to get the required length! Luckily I left them way longer than needed!) I would love to see your coops, please make a video or take pics!

[@craigwalker9121]

Interesting , I just HAD to watch an add (skip add button turn off) about out a camper decked out with about $1k of electrical and solar gear to charge phone s & fridges etc. The pitch was you need this stuff to get of the grid! They are kidding themselves , their still hooked on the grid just in a different fashion . If you want true off the grid watch Mr Chickadee , what a legend !!!!

[@Ballskinicus]

No shocker here, another great video! Keep up the great work Mr. C!!!

[@ThrasherPoet]

This is the most beautiful work I've ever witnessed. Great job man. I'm still trying to convince my wife to go to the "Simpler" life style, but she wont have it. She don't think we could with three little boys all under 6. I just don't think she could live without the conveniences of modern living now a days. Oh well. Its usually the dreams of the man that never get to be lived out. Anyway, great job again dude.

[@chrismonksellye4608]

And that is how it's done old school style. Bravo!

[@thebannedgreenman8939]

It is good to see traditional tools such as a brace and bit in use. I am in the process of making a timber-framed shed 24' long x 10 ' wide - and it is useful to see how others go about it.

[@MrChickadee]

thats great!

[@thebannedgreenman8939]

I am tempted to fill in the Timber-frame with wattle and daub, following your video 'How to'. To make use of local materials I successfully made a flint wall for the side of my shed that faces the worst of the weather.

[@MrChickadee]

THats about the same dimensions of our workshop, I think it was 11X22 exterior. I would recommend wattle and daub for any outbuilding for sure, I think its about the most conscientious and wisest use of recourses to build with, basically you only need your frame, the wattle and clay can be local, and you can also just use a clay plaster as well, doesn't have to be lime, so most everything can come from your location if you have the trees and clay rich soil. Id love to see what ever you build.

[@thebannedgreenman8939]

Mr. Chickadee I will get round to making a video of it.

[@dhsneed3]

I really like your videos their are really inspiring the old skills should be revisited

[@MrChickadee]

+dhsneed3 Thank you! To quote Roy Underhill, "these are not the techniques and skills of the past, they are the skills and techniques of the future!"

[@user-be6km7mj7l]

Почёт и Уважение таким работящим и целеустремлённым людям, Классная работа!!!

[@terrulian]

No yelling at all between you two?! This is superhuman. "Hey, stop! Give me some slack!! OK, up about an inch!! NOOO!!! TOO MUCH!!" That's the way I'd be doing it.

[@cliff987]

"What the heck am I going to do with all these scented candles Ron and Carol gave us?" "Well, I could always use more drill wax."

[@sylum18]

i live in lower Texas...RGV. awesome videos, they make me happy!

[@mccantsc]

Excellent build, mate, and good on you for industry. These look like some wonderful projects.

[@MrChickadee]

+Charles McCants Thank you!

[@craigwilcox6319]

Got a good chuckle with the penny - we always used a silver coin when stepping the masts on our sailing boats. Once, had to use an old British shilling coin - couldn't find any American silver coins at the time.

[@Rubbernecker]

One handed bit brace operation! Nice!

[@danielcory1941]

I have been watching your videos for a very long time. Huge fan. For some reason, all this time, I thought you were from like...sweden or somewhere until I saw that penny!

[@bradfordleroy3527]

Watching and listening ,( to sounds of your work) is the most relaxing experience. Love your format. I'm hooked. You make the tricked in my life drift easy. Thank you. Btw, amazing projects.

[@ObiWanShinobi1]

I'm not a hand-tool purist by any stretch, but it's instructive to see it done. All of the 'props' for sure!

[@moki888]

I asked this on Chris' interview video…but he said he didn't know and to ask Josh himself! So here goes…don't see Mr. Chickadee dropping in for many of these but hope Josh can reply to my question: "I have watched this interview more than once….always see something new. Don't know if you can answer this or not, but I noticed Josh uses two different pines, which I have always heard were weaker wood and not suitable for timber frame building. I think one is stronger than the other, but even then not knowing WHICH yellow pine or white pine is confusing. Reason being I just inherited a couple lots loaded with old growth East Texas pine..(loblolly? dunno) I live many hours away, but those trees are crowded in there as it is. Im just wondering…could I use them for a pavilion if I kept their feet out of the dirt? Or should it only be used internally?"

[@MrChickadee]

Pine is fine! Ive used both Eastern White Pine and Shortleaf pine extensively as well as virginia pine. There are some very nice temples in Korea made of pine many hundreds of years old. My house extension is almost 100 percent white pine, my blacksmith shop is almost all shortleaf pine, yes, you will do fine with pine. Just keep it covered up, keep it high and dry as it were. If it is in a place to get wet, design it to dry out fast. You can also do things Ive shown like burning and oiling/taring. But really its a great wood and your east texas pines will be much harder and stronger than the soft white pine I use so much here. (there are a bunch of species all lunped into the "southern yellow pine" family, loblolly, shortleaf and virginia all are in that group)

[@moki888]

Yes, I intend to find out exactly what kind of pine they are. I have an image of a pavillion we were wanting to try. is there a way I might email you the pictures? For one I'm trying to figure out what the original wood is, and I think you might know. I beleive the structure is in Alabama. I have much more experience with ashe juniper, which me and my husky used to peal together, lol! I just loved their deep grooves and they made fabulous posts for my porch when it fell off that time:) We put those on concrete footers with pins…and they are solid as a rock many years later. I still have access to some majorly nice ashe juniper and were wondering about using them for the the posts in the open (mostly) air pavilion and maybe finishing out with pine? I'm rather smitten with the hammer beam look, but also the rather homey less fanciful ones too…with wooden floor. Wondered about the pines milled for that as well. It won't be totally closed in, but not making ground contact..and we can do the burn technique as well. I have learned so much watching your things..strongly considering taking a class from you if I can only get away:)@@MrChickadee

[@TheRunereaper]

Shocking! shameful! What about health and safety? No hard hat, goggles or harness? Aaaaaaaghhhh What is the world coming to? .... What a fabulous little video. I felt I could breathe and whistle. It's only with posts like this that we realise how much we've allowed the modern world to strip from us. Thank you.

[@MrChickadee]

+TheRunereaper You're welcome, stay tuned for more hard hatless videos!

[@Huntfitter]

This is fantastic. Great work.

[@MrChickadee]

+HuntFitter.com TV Thank you!

[@scottleft3672]

respect bro.....old skills are the best skills.

[@chasingrabbetswoodworking8230]

This an awesome video!! I love the quietness of the process that power tools lack. I am getting ready to start cutting the joints for my shop as well. I looking to build a hammer beam trusses for my bents.

[@chasingrabbetswoodworking8230]

Hammer beam trusses**

[@MrChickadee]

+Chasing Rabbets Woodworking Thank you, hammer beams are awesome!

[@markharris5771]

Sorry, I’m really new to woodworking and only just bought my first brace and a couple of bits so my question might sound less than intelligent. But why was your auger made so long with several attachments please? I’m a Brit and young people all over the world could do well to take a leaf out of your book. Your ambitions aren’t for the latest game consul and flashy cars, but for a job well done and to be proud of your accomplishments through hard work. Your families must be so proud of the people you are, both of you are extremely talented. Your woodworking skills and Mrs Chickadee's videography skills compliment each other to perfection. You are both also obviously highly intelligent people who are working hard with your gifts. The part where you were pulling on the hoist for the side frame and your young lady was jumping up to put equal effort in was mildly amusing. You are both going to go a long way, by merely taking the right but not easy path.

[@MrChickadee]

It has an extension bit attached to it. You can find them secondhand often.

[@markharris5771]

Mr. Chickadee Thank you.

[@benharris7913]

Hey, Mark. You can also find "electrician's bits" for your brace that were made longer than carpenter's bits. They were designed to drill through wall studs, but they work well for other tasks, too.

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Wow, an amazing feat, considering the tools and number of people!

[@dirtydsrc]

Just absolutely beautiful work my friend. Thank you for sharing. :)

[@hoop6988]

“You know you’re a master in your field if people with no knowledge and interest in your field are entertained watching you in your field.” - Burgo Parcon

[@tolbaszy8067]

Excellent video! It might be safer for an overhead lift to run the haul line through a single sheave pulley anchored under the load, and pulling horizontally away from the drop zone. Nice work!

[@memofrf]

You are a proper man. Cheers.

[@ConwayT91]

God... this is beautiful!

[@MrChickadee]

+Bas Feijen Thank you!

[@RRRIBEYE]

Beautiful structure and love the 3010 Mule! (They are awesome!)

[@robertfiorito9888]

The penny was a nice touch

[@dirtydsrc]

Nice trick with the cooper penny that will keep the bus out. :)

[@beneddy1351]

Dirty D's RC what was penny for

[@annettemillette4091]

OLD VIDEO BUT FIRST TIME I AM SEEING YOU

[@woodlandfun4140]

thoroughly enjoyed the craftsmanship!

[@MrChickadee]

Thank you!

[@will2Collett]

VERY NICE JOB THERE, YOUR VIDEO'S ARE REALLY GOOD AND DETAILED.

[@MrChickadee]

+william francis Collett Thank you!

[@hughtierney9109]

The squeaky auger sounds like an English hunting horn in the distance as a hunt roams across the countryside. But it is a sound betokening a more productive endeavour by far.

[@mauricebrown9094]

Better you than me .. WOW what a great video....Thank you for sharing

[@charlestrombley3665]

Best video this is exactly what I plan to do. Thanks great job.

[@jennytan5229]

You built something you are proud of.

[@vinny9988]

Man I love your videos. This structure is impressive as all hell. Im currently milling beams with an Alaskan chainsaw mill with the goal of a hammer beam design.

[@MrChickadee]

Be careful with hammer beam trusses man, they were traditionally used with very heavily buttressed walls, often stone, they are lovely, but be careful with the design man, can be dangerous.

[@nathanphipps2312]

@@MrChickadee What are the best books you read on the Western and Japanese timberframe styles and joinery. I want to build my own home one day but I need to start learning more about structural design and joinery. I make furniture so I have typical furniture joinery skills, just need to start learning how to use those skills for building structures. Thanks man, you've inspired me!

[@doodbuddy]

Love the vibe and the peace, combined with the technical challenge -- perfect mix of focus and environment. Curious -- do you use a measuring tape? Surely, for everything to align so perfectly?!? Also -- what is the wood in the large framing members -- Pine? Hardwoods...?

[@NuttyforNissan]

Nice action with the 1 handed brace and bit.

[@johnburens3395]

The penny is a nice touch!

[@jeffsanderson2737]

Thank you for your service

[@gentlegiant171]

Love the little satisfied laugh, as a carpenter, when joints go together perfectly, it really is better than sex

[@mcorrade]

that way very cool. I was wondering when he was going to let go :)

[@northernnomad9046]

David Ward 07:23 VERY satisfying agreed👌🏽

[@timex8321]

OMG i am close to framing with 6x6 and I'll use the easier way, my columns will be drywalled, or covered in something. I will say your a work horse doing it the real MOUNTAIN MAN STYLE, respect...

[@THEBOSS-vn2ky]

I was done with the video at 5 minutes and 15 seconds when I seen that nail. my ooh my. Joking good job.🤣🤣🤣. I always thought it wood be great to have a house built out of post beams , branches. what ever YOU can get your hands on. good job .🤣🤣🤙✌. God bless you all

[@osu122975]

Your skill boggles my mind. Amazing stuff.

[@juanrivero8]

In your place, I would have been sorely tempted to use the Kawasaki 6-wheeler to raise the bents! (I don't have one, but I did have a Farmall H tractor I planned to use). Well done and then some.

[@MrChickadee]

True, but part of this build was doing things the old way...

[@juanrivero8]

More credit to you.

[@1969CampEvans]

The LADY a RARE BREED!

[@smacurface]

Tons of respect to you mate.

[@sajidrafique375]

You are an amazingly gifted person Sir

[@h2o270]

I am so lucky I happened onto you channel! Great stuff! How did you learn all your skills? Can't wait for more videos!

[@MrChickadee]

+Ron W Thank you! I learned everything from books such as written by Roy Underhill, and watching his TV show "the woodwrights shop" while growing up.

[@Devis1982]

the best moment - when "ah-ha-ha!"