Hand Hewing from Tree to Beam
By Andy the stuff doer
Well project this pulled in a few of my passions, Hand Crafting, the renovation and the Woods. We need a new beam to go in the Cottage to support a failing floor. It needed to be in keeping with the existing hand hewn beams, I really like trying out old time, traditional craft skill and with trees ready to fell the materials where on hand.
So after a few hours in the woods, I produced exactly what we needed and apart from buying the adze and small amount of fuel, it’s cost nothing. A great example of the time and money equation with DIY – Find the time to do it yourself and your don’t need to spend the money.
Childs play, well would you like to say youve tried it?
If you’ve not seen it already the full Video and more details are on the iDoStuff website.
If you have any thoughts about the way I’ve hewn this beam, comments, suggestions or questions, please leave a comment below. And if you want to see how it ends up when installed keep in touch via the face book page , just Like the page and I’ll post when it’s done.
I greatly enjoyed the adze and froe videos on your site. Do consider steel toed boots (and possibly some shin pads) when working with the chainsaw and adze – I’d even go so far as suggesting leather chaps if you do a lot of this work. Again, thanks for posting the videos, I’ve got an ongoing project in the woods here in northern New York that will use the tools/techniques you’ve demonstrated.
Re the survey of your property . . . check out the topic of ‘plane table surveying’ if you’re not already familiar with it . . . I think it’s the type of thing you’d enjoy (and it has the benefit of involving members of your family in the process) especially as an ‘heritage’ project.
Hi Lance, Glad you enjoyed it. Safety first The orange boots I’m wearing are steel toe capped chain saw boots with lots of shin padding, an all in one solution. Hope you have as much fun as I did using these tools.
I’ve just looked up “plane table surveying”. Very interesting. Thanks for the heads up.
Good job Andy
A good heavy broad headed axe is perfect for hewing, if you’re worried about it bouncing off and striking your leg, try standing on the log, or putting just one foot on it, you still get a good view straight down onto your work. While operating a chainsaw you might want to invest in some chainsaw trousers or chaps, I prefer dungarees. Leather chaps or jeans will just get chopped thought in a millisecond, chainsaw trousers have strands of material sewn into them that tangle up the chain and stop it very quickly.
Keep on having fun, and the best thing you can do, is just go and and try something, you will be surprised what you can turn your hand to. Never get put off it it goes wrong, or doesn’t end up as intended, it’s all a learning process.
Good luck, and have fun.
Regards. Wayne
Thanks Wayne, I’m going to have to find a broad axe and give it a go sometime, but it goes to show you can manage with tools you have. You must have missed seeing I was wearing chainsaw trousers and boots, safety first and all that.
I like your statement “Keep on having fun, and the best thing you can do, is just go and and try something, you will be surprised what you can turn your hand to. Never get put off it it goes wrong, or doesn’t end up as intended, it’s all a learning process.” great advice, it’s certainly in keeping my attitude, I might quote you at some point.
Cheers
Andy