Stone Foundation

[@bing434]

Can we all take a minute to appreciate just how much physical effort went into this video. Grubbing out the foundation with hand tools, shovelling a couple of tonnes of gravel, hewing the stone and then manhandling the blocks into position. This is truly backbreaking labour. The beer that night was well deserved!

[@MrChickadee]

Still beats going to the gym! haha

[@pby1000]

@@MrChickadee Agreed. I would rather do manual labor than non-productive exercises at a gym.

[@johnparinellojr.2035]

I'd be willing to bet he really enjoys his work. Masonary, especially stone masonary is very satisfying. There's something pure about it, it makes me feel like I'm putting love back into the world. I think of it like this, someone's going to be living there and making memories, someone will have there first kiss while standing on that foundation, or have a playful time with there kids. A grandma will bake cookies for her grand kids. They might as well have something solid to make there life's memories on, not to mention it looks beautiful. There's something almost philosophical about stone masonary. Some days the things in life are harder to lift then others, and as long as we keep going will not only succeed, but will be better people for making the attempt. On a lighter note it's a gym membership that pays you. So don't delay pick up a trowel today lol.

[@BlameJason]

How can I do that using materials sourced from my local area, southwest Utah? Lots of red rock & clay here. Also lava rocks & of course granite. DG also, I believe.

[@ohasis8331]

@@MrChickadee I've always viewed a job with physical labour as paid exercise.

[@marknickerson3645]

As a blacksmith who does 95% of my work "old school" with a coal forge,hammer and anvil, I truly respect and appreciate the fact that you are keeping the traditional building and carpentry skills alive and well. Another excellent and educational video!!

[@whitethundr2824]

Mark Nickerson "old school respect" I love u guys! )

[@leoszes]

@BLUE DOG sounds scary my dude but i think the problem is not "nothingness" but everythingness theres so frikking much! i do believe that the internet helps revive and keep alive the old ways. otherwise, i wouldve never been able to even dream of learning any of the skills i have. so chin up, cheer up :D

[@W4ldgeist]

@@leoszes That's what I think too. The internet or even some modern technology is not the problem. The problem is the mindless, wasteful, infinite growth capitalistic system that ruined the workplace, products etc. Sure there is progress, but only in the direction of commerce, all true progress in sciences is funded by the public sector and then exploited to build often times shoddy products en masse. The "too frikkin much" is exactly that. Speeding up the consumption to a level where it's stressful to consume. We are spurred on to consume, consume and consume. Consumption has become a job next to the jobs you have to pay for all that consumption. I feel frustrated, because I have to buy 50+ year old tools to get quality, wear old shoes from my grandfather to have something that lasts, go and find a furniture maker that wants 2-3 months of my salary to build a lasting table (or make it myself). I'd gladly only buy products that cost so much, IF... they would then last and society wouldn't indirectly force me to "stay on top" and run with the herd. It's hard to slow down, if everyones running. :/

[@gar691]

I admire your sense of purity in these projects. It would be so easy to use a mortar mix and be done with it, but you use the natural ingredients and take the time and effort to re create the tasks that our grandfathers did, with splendid results.

[@hel1copter]

What we don’t see here - and in all of Mr Chickadee’s videos - are the long hours of painstaking and often backbreaking preparation and repetition. Most of us could turn our hands to splitting a rock or daubing a handful of mortar into a couple of gaps, of cutting the end off a length of timber or planing a board smooth. But try doing that time and time again! This is what is so admirable about Mr Chickadee. He starts ... and he damn well sees it through to the very end.

[@MrChickadee]

It sure does look much faster than I remember...;)

[@TomG-f4r]

One crisis at a time ,,, just

[@dougalexander7204]

Awesome and honest work. I worked in an Indiana state park pioneer village, maintained around 1817 to the civil war. I was a blacksmith and a woodwright. I also ran an 1824 water powered sawmill and gristmill. Watching what you’re doing here sparks life in a little old man. Thank you.

[@janice7378]

🤩 I don't want to sound impolite, but what's your age now ?

[@Maxid1]

i do all aspects of building, but this is what I love. Digging a hole and then refilling it with more organized structure satisfies something deep within me. And nothing is more beautiful to me in building form than stone lay up.Mortared or dry, I love stone.

[@beans1557]

The ape-human instinct to dig, break, play in mud, pick up rocks

[@manofreedom]

In a thousand years the house will be all gone but the foundation will still be there and people will look and say. "what fantastic workmanship."

[@seascape0881]

This so satisfying....birds chirping, no talking just building and watching the clay be mixed with the limestone putty...nicely done! ☺️

[@mandyleeson1]

I dare say most of us would be deterred by the formidable task that this poses, but you make a great example and teacher; It gives me the heart to try things that I would not have thought possible. Thank you very much.

[@craigolander7094]

Have not one clue why anyone would down vote your hard work. Thank you for sharing

[@fishenfootball]

No blink-fast edits. No silly dub step music. You, sir, elevate KZbin with your content.

[@tardismole]

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[@dshudson]

So true.

[@darrelshowers1254]

Agreed!

[@hineko_]

Haha I just imagined this video with dubstep and blinking colored lights.

[@actontreadway1168]

Wait, dubstep? I think I’ve found further evidence of time travelers...

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Hey there, really a great video of the footer and drainage from the foundation. Great work for the foundation too! You shared a lot of information without hurting your voice box. I am hard of hearing and I understood everything you said. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good videos.

[@blimpman1]

As a 2-3 yr subscriber I look forward to each and every video. The natural sounds and peacefulness is truly appreciated. You are a true craftsman in every sense of the word. Thank you!!

[@michaeld2662]

I always enjoy your vids. Natural sounds and you jump right in. No whiz-bang, self aggrandizing lead in begging for subscribers and overblown production values. Great skills.

[@charlesloveday9208]

As always... I'm super impressed with the hand craftsmanship. Myself... would probably liked to seen the homemade mortar used as the stone was put down. But, I can't say that it's a better method because you have built such amazing structures already that will outlast most modern buildings. I'm so impressed with your dedication to the old way of building!!!💯💯💯👏👏🏼👏👍👍👍✌️🤟🤙 There's a part of me that wishes so badly I could go back to my youth and do EXACTLY what you are doing!!! Awesome 👍👍👍, keep up the great work and congratulations on your new project... thanks again for sharing your time/knowledge and skills to the novice viewer. May God bless you and your family... just simply THANKS!!!

[@TheGogeta222]

As a German carpenter who was building many traditional houses in his past I recommend to make the stone foundation Minimum 35-40 cm high to safe the wooden parts of your building from the strong rain and make a calculation because of the overhang of your roofe you need to cover the wooden parts of your building at a 70° angle (you make the measurement from the ground leven and look up to the overhang) so your building will last longer than you and will stay even in some hundred years

[@MrChickadee]

i really prefer 60cm of height and min 90cm of roof overhang

[@TheGogeta222]

@@MrChickadee how high are you planing your wall and what for angle will your roof become?

[@TomG-f4r]

Rain bounces

[@falsename2285]

best comment. Thank you

[@Eduardo-uo7qs]

Great job. It's beautiful to see someone dedicating your life to save the past skills. Congratulation. Do not let that knowledge to die. From Rio, Brazil.

[@coast2coastauctions472]

It is an absolute pleasure to watch you work. Simple tools, thorough preparation, incredible craftsmanship.

[@yazeeit6183]

I am fascinated by stone masonry and this guy made it look easy but make no mistake, that is back breaking work and it is worth the labour

[@TomG-f4r]

I spent 5 years doing geology ; buy your rock , it's cheap ; they deliver - digging is no fun , breaking rocks is just a grind - unfruitful ...all limes an lemons ...decorative limes an lemons

[@PatrickJaeger]

always like the steady pace you keep, never rushed or hurried

[@Ouwkackemann]

I´m a German masonry and concrete master and see what you are doing, very clever indeed, but you should explain it more to those who have no idea of construction. Instead of going frost deep with the foundation you put that gravel underneath, which gains some flexibility and drains the water, which of course will fill up the trench, what otherwise would lead to frost damage of the house. (Water will become ice in the winter, gaining volume and compressing the ground underneath, then molten again, there will be gaps under the foundation which will lead to irregular settings, causing damage at the building above.) In my opinion you should have done the mortar first, to guarantee that the stones sit in there with their whole surface, that´s how it is teached nowadays, the mortar layer has to be without any gaps. But with setting smaler stones underneath, so that the bigger ones don´t wiggle, it is a question of believe, a bit nitpicking from me maybe. Our anchestors laid the foundation and did let it rest over the winter, to let the mostly chalk bound stone foundations outdry. But you don´t need my advice for sure, having some knowledge on your own, good skills and well done. I love to see that you are holding up the old techniques. Best wishes from Germany, Ouw.

[@chriscaahbaugh2246]

Is the high clay and stone content of the ground he's doing it on...There is a reason why he showed the soil content when he was picking (after it sets before build it aint going nowhere that type of soil especially).. By looks of the video hes on slightly elevated ground than the surrounding area as well.. This way has been done since before the 1700s with little problems...

[@VonFowler-fw3yh]

Heil to you!

[@missdigioia]

Hi do you offer consultancy? Thanks

[@kalzifer8574]

He's doing PERFECT. There is no need to explain Stuff. If you are inspired by the Pictures you go old fashioned way and use written Words on Paper called "Books". His Video's is an Inspiration not a free Training. And i totaly agree the way he does it, without Music or Filter nor constant talking aka "Heyyyyyyyy aaaaaaalllllll tooooday i am here with my buddy....No one cares", (Information 0) is indeed verry refreshing. Please dont change anything :-D

[@NidaHilalanju]

wow so beautiful

[@tomnekuda3818]

Love your channel. The old ways of doing things have stood the test of time.....thanks for bringing them back. Much of this I was brought up with and already know but you have surprises every once in a while. Please grind the burrs off the heads of your chisels/wedges.....I caught one in my eye one time and nearly lost sight.

[@DANVIIL]

We need more builders in this world. Amazing what you can accomplish by hand.

[@chriscaahbaugh2246]

I grew up making these foundations in Northern Michigan...A good representation 👍...for the haters out there I have seen and worked on houses that have stood for 200+ years with very little maintenance on this and rarely ever see any faults...(This is a great example of the old tried and true💯)

[@mccantsc]

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone- lovely video as always.

[@MrChickadee]

They actually ripped out this lovely stone and replaced it with cement...how sickening! But good for me...

[@Maxid1]

Sandstone is sweet to work with. I've dug retaining walls into the sandstone layer and anchored them on it. It saved me some digging but I have to admit, I love to dig. I don't believe in previous lives but if it was possible, I would have been a dog.

[@julianeaston8607]

Another wonderful example of your tireless effort for perfection and as ever done with the patience of a Saint. I look forward to seeing more as the forge takes shape.

[@falllineridge]

A thoroughly engrossing video. That foundation will be there until Judgement Day. And props to your wife on the excellent camera work!

[@tmbts902]

Awww... It is adorable that you use that little flower pot for watering down your mortar. So cute. There you are doing that manly work, and then use a delicate sprinkle to wipe away the mess. 😃

[@hansmuller9575]

Recently I succeded to finalize several wood work projects. Lack of skill I compensated through remembering and finally applying the quasi MEDIDATIV spirit, how you approach handcraft challenges. It worked, You really had been of great help! Thank you.

[@KennyInVegas]

I truly appreciate the time and effort you put forth producing your videos. Thanks so much!!!

[@homemademedieval3935]

If we leave him alone long enough , we may come back and find a whole village

[@AStanton1966]

I wonder if it takes a village to make a village?

[@thedude5853]

@@AStanton1966 it takes multiple people to make a village, otherwise youre just a woodsman surrounded by development projects.

[@johngrahamdoyle8719]

RELENTLESS PATIENCE AND HARD LABOUR ARE THE QUALITIES OF THE HUMBLE AND NOBLE MAGNIFICENT HONOURABLE CRAFTSMAN 🥵🥵

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

I love it. I'm sitting here watching you make your Smithy, as I'm taking a break while I'm putting up my Smithy. You're living the dream.

[@MultiMrNoone]

What an utterly enormous amount of work. I’m completely fascinated and want to build my own.

[@russellwall1964]

Always a pleasure to watch you work on your latest project. Thanks so much for sharing and serving our nation. Looking forward to your next video - it is always so calming to watch. :-)

[@mstycrk]

All your moves are so measured and exact. No wasted motion here! Thanks for the great tutorials!

[@MASADHIYA]

Is there any other hardworking guy than him? I am juxtaposed... Bravo....

[@1212CRMD]

Congratulations! Appreciating it from far away, Brazil 2024.

[@sambrandt3688]

I love stone work. What an amazingly beautiful job you did. I have been downloading all your videos and archiving them in my library for learning skills.

[@davephillips7550]

Nice use of old school mortar. 😀. It will give more with the weather than new mixes.

[@gregoryharrison5769]

I think you have some of the most fascinating videos I've watched on KZbin! I'm binge watching them!

[@MrStevench]

It’s so therapeutic watching you work.

[@katherine7462]

Love the content you put out thank you for your service & sharing!

[@H7Auction]

Excellent job! Thank you for taking the time to film, edit, and post.

[@hafsibadis8007]

How biggest will be my joy when i could be able to inspire many hearts to do the same tasks of U have shared throughout your labor.

[@arkansas1336]

This is a beautiful AND strong foundation! Great idea to keep the foundation dewatered and also help avoid 'frost heave'!

[@MrChickadee]

Thanks! Glad to hear someone gets it!

[@crpth1]

I'm in the process of doing the equivalent on an old dry stone "shack" built in 1851. Initially, I believe, it was used for people, later used for sheep and goats. Hopefully one day will be my "cabin". Over the years has been messed up with very different kinds of mortar. The ones with lime are mostly long gone. Either case using the less noble "cement mortar" as soon as the smaller enclosing stones go into place. There's so many "ventilation holes" that makes one think why the trouble to do the walls in the first place. LOL :-) The old roof remains, allows a perfect view of the sky, following similar pattern. Having real trouble finding old roof tiles. Since I would like to keep it as close as possible to the original. Using a hard bristles nylon brush, allow to clean the excess mortar, while keeping the moss on the stones. Also an important detail for me. ;-) All this to say, damn nice video. :-) Cheers

[@gilbertosanchez8138]

Sincerely beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and so simple

[@MrChickadee]

Wow, thank you!

[@tim_bbq1008]

looking forward to this new build. You always do such masterful work, I learn a lot from the techniques you share

[@markmywords519]

dem boots are made for working. Mr Chickadee has a unique rhythm almost in sync with nature i love these clips.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Mr. Chickadee. Extremely fantastic and very interesting! Very well done again and as always! Thanks a lot for making taping editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health.

[@PaulieFein]

A garden hose would come in real handy for cleaning up the mortar. Love watching you work Mr. C, it's relaxing

[@_samuel_6951]

Great video, doesn't even begin to show the back aching, painstaking labor involved though. Many props to you!

[@tird108]

Man I'm a welder I build Bridges it's Saturday just got off a 6 day week this pops up got cold beer pickled okra and watching this man that came out beautiful Im kinda thinking about trying something like this eventually

[@geraldweckesser9556]

I appreciate what you do. I am professional craftsman. I was taught by an old school tough guy with hands of leather, and a warm heart, squinting was his safety glasses. Please recognize that technologies like safety glasses are a worthwhile investment and their use should be encouraged. Whether it fits with an old school ethos or not those young ones watching might take your devil may care attitude as a tacit approval for unnecessary risk. One trip to urgent care is expensive and the loss of a days work embarrassing. Stay safe and encourage others to be so as well.

[@patrickmorgan4006]

Yes, safety glasses are your friend. I have a nice teardrop scar half an inch below my eye where a splintered piece of iron stuck after I hit a stake with a sledge hammer. Without that half inch, I would be blind in one eye today.

[@sharonbeckmon9837]

The stones have such wonderful colors and strength! Concrete and rebar are ugly compared to this foundation! Keep the great videos coming, please!

[@Chechen_Kavkaz]

Not only is Concrete ugly. It's the most dirty and destructive building Material, with a design life of only 30-50 years. And it is 2-5x weaker than Stone (depending on the type of Stone)

[@codyleeser392]

beautiful to watch and listen to. I loved the birdsong.

[@blackbart99]

My back started hurting immediatley...True craftsmanship...great video...thank you.

[@jimwilleford6140]

I am in awe of your skills and your patience! Amazing.

[@devogle7905]

I have really enjoyed all of your Videos and your view on building, woodworking, blacksmith forging, and masonry. I would love a video of your home and hearing from your wife. Oorah!

[@jerrywhidby.]

I have wanted to try earth ramming. This helps me with the "boots" of the home. Now I have a dozen lime putty videos in my watch later list. It's always a pleasure to watch your content.

[@balticfaeshop]

I'm a female and these videos make me way too excited :D

[@Sam-zf2wg]

Pokotukas lol

[@bosatsu76]

Finally.... The sound of nature, and the sound of tools... That is ALL I need... I hate music on videos like this.

[@ПетроВальцман-ф6в]

4:12 This is probably the most frequent sound that could be heard in ancient Egypt.

[@thatdutchguy2882]

Its starting to look like i'm watching the 13th century Guédelon Castle being build guys xD. *[Château de Guédelon, Treigny, Yonne France]* Anyway- Great video again 👍-up.

[@colbypride2268]

Your badass love your videos I'm a carpenter and I'm always saying imagine how it was doing this back in the day with no power tools. Beautiful work great videos!!!!!!!

[@MrChickadee]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertlassiter5808]

This is so peaceful to me. Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

[@uiop545]

mr chickadee, i thought you were just a carpenter; obviously not, and much more. many thanks for all your videos.

[@hassanal-mosawi6049]

Thanks for showing how and sharing that, well done!

[@willienolegs8928]

Thanks for showing how you do it and how it was done. Outstanding

[@MrGeroth]

Stone work is always amazing.

[@AStanton1966]

You can be sure of 2 things: carpenter ants and termites don't like it.

[@davidstephens4639]

I like that you did it without power tools, but a running commentary explanation of what, why, and how would help.

[@JacobvsRex]

Pretty cool! Started off doing some of the woodworking type things you do and decided to try forging my own tools as the ones I wanted or needed were either too rare or too expensive and now I never get around to woodworking unless I’m putting a handle on a blacksmith tool lol. Got dreams of building me a nice smithy building like you’re doing one day. Keep it up!

[@infodawg]

Hi Mr. Chickadee, I recently purchased 3 acres of forested box canyon, in the Northern Andes. I have an abundance of rock, so I will be paying close attention to your tutorials.

[@MrChickadee]

Where in the Andes are you located? My wife is from Cusco, Peru...

[@infodawg]

@@MrChickadee We're in the Cordillera Oriental, about 8 hours north of Bogota. If you're ever this way, please visit.

[@clydedecker765]

Always a pleasure watching you work. It does seem a small building but a smithy doesn't need a lot...Those stones are amazing.

[@MrChickadee]

Hi Clyde, Yep, a forge, an anvil, a hammer...maybe a small wood stove or a stack of iron, what more does a smith want? Just as a fun note, both this smithy and my new woodworking shop are about the same size, 12X16 or so, and I feel like I have too much room, would be different if I had lots of big machines I guess....

[@clydedecker765]

@@MrChickadee So true. My grandfather's was about that size and he did everything. Biggest problem he had was the slag pile where he threw the clinkers and slag... Of course there were few cars back then so loads of horses, mules, wagons, plows, hoes, and misc to work on kept the slag piling up. He was the town blacksmith.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

Dear Mr. Chickadee. I have to say it again and again: I simply love your fantastic quiet working videos. They are very instructive and extremely meditational/meditative. It is an absolute pleasure to watch them. Moreover you are an extremely skilled master craftsman. So thank you very much again for making taping editing uploading and sharing. Best regards luck and health to you all.

[@brighambaker3381]

Awesome work and dedication! Thank you for sharing 🙏🏼

[@BarniRepairs]

Mr. Chickadee, looking forward to your next film. Greetings from Romania.

[@dand33911]

3:50 I ended up with a whole bunch of those tools from a property I bought. I thought they were knife blanks. For blacksmithing your own knives. Learn something new everyday. Great videos 👍

[@dirtydsrc]

Beautiful rocks. Very nice rock work.

[@hillbillynick2000]

Very cool! You're doing a great service with your videos, showing/saving the old ways . I had to learn how to split rock from old books and OJT, LoL. Semper Fi

[@PhilippeOrlando]

Everything is amazing. First the skills, but also how the video flows. It's almost ASMR stuff.

[@ocho27hd]

Love the boots man. I’ve been wearing mine since 2006. Need to find the right sole for them but still wear them for work around my property.

[@MrChickadee]

Im on my 5th pair since sep I think?

[@calebjowens]

I am looking forward to another wonderful build series! These are always great Thanks for the work you put into the videos!

[@Aminuts2009]

Always good content. Can't wait to see the forge take shape!

[@Mrssandypeterson]

Love your video!! Why would anyone give you a thumbs down?!? I guess they must want to keep you humble! 😂. I’m going to be watching all your videos, past, present, and future.

[@shtolcers]

Thanks for sharing knowledge! At this moment building of traditional foundations is interest of mine as well. Eagerly waiting for next part! :)

[@RedmarKerkhof]

A smithy, sweet! I'm scrapping one together one myself as well. Right now it's just a lean-to really, and that's sufficient. I'll just upgrade from there if the oppertunity arises. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make of it! (and to future blacksmithing videos perhaps?)

[@wyore4344]

Thank You. Please keep up the hard work and Great Videos. best to you and yours. walt&mrs.

[@DevanBailey]

That putty mix looked quite delicious

[@FromEveryWheree]

Wow, this is very professional

[@antoinestsernin6963]

Merci j apprend plein de techniques de travail vous êtes très fort et patients magnifiques VIDEOS MERCI

[@fabiendelacheisserie4434]

Amazing and solid process, always stoned by your contents !

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

Very well done. Inspiring & giving hope as I am soon to embark on a quest like this. Thanks for the great production work, and insightful angles/cuts. I know that recording and editing while you do this sort of thing steals a lot of time from the project itself. Kudos, and regards.

[@zetuskid]

Beautiful start guy. I can’t wait to follow to finished build. You’ve got us all hanging now having to wait for the next video. I know that’s hard work but your laid back approach makes it look like I would ALMOST want it be there helping.lol good luck.

[@h20s8804]

I'd be happy to have a nice young strong back again and just use all my power tools, but this is great to watch. :)

[@maxcarter5922]

Truly inspiring, I hope I can build my house that way one day.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Man knows his way around a shovel. My dad used to tell me he needed a strong back and a weak mind. That always meant I was going to be on the business end of a shovel. After a while you learn to be efficient with your movements. I am destroying an old structure that could have used better thought in the foundation.

[@VicoTstr]

Wonderfull, love that type of projects over a few vidéos ! Thanks for allé explanations in description, i had so many questions, all answered !

[@tylerkrug7719]

Wow, that's alot of hard work right there. Looks amazing