Can I make all usual structures with just wood from my small woodland?

[woodlearner9810182]

Building structures from thinner trees 6-10cm in diameter and leaving them mainly round, and only working the joining surfaces, will be much easier than trying to take a large tree and work it into dimensioned timber.

Could you show some example of structures done like this which might fit my blueprint for a small work shelter?

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Ben Law's book - Woodland Craft, will be of interest to you. He has some sections on building with round wood, and a list of useful tools in the back. A series of steel wedges is handy as it allows you to split timbers like Ash.
An acre of woodland is not a large amount though it should keep you in fuel. I also believe their are restrictions as to the amount of trees you can fell per year I think it is in the region of 5 cubic metres without a licence.

I did happen across Ben Law just the other day following a mention at the end of a woodlands.co.uk article. I was not looking specifically for this at the time though so was not on my radar for the issue in question. I do remember the mention of roundwood timber framing but did not know what it meant when I read it.

I am just reading the definition of timber...doesn't the term roundwood timber framing imply that, being timber, it is already processed into planks, whereas I am interested in unprocessed roundwood working. Or does his book have a separate section for roundwood (non timber) framing? The terminology is all new to me!

Ok on further reading I see roundwood timber framing seems to be the general term for it. Just reading this. I think so long as I can learn do the basic mortis and tenon I am off to the races with what I can then build! So far I had been stymied by only thinking about getting pieces of branch with a wishbone crotch bit to hook other parts too. This joint opens up a world of possibilities.

Ohh! Great bit of history on woodworking as it progressed through the ages. I could perhaps do without joints at all using one of the even older techniques like a lean-to.

Btw I would imagine his book would be focused on the most efficient and elegant way to make things of beauty with no expense spared for the right suite of tools. I on the other hand am more interested in the most basic way to achieve the goal with as little tools as possible. Would neolithic building be my go-to research here?

Well I don't want to make loads of structures, just a work shelter at the top and maybe another one down the other end. Then the woodland can have a break and grow.

Lots of dryish dead wood around already in the smaller patch of woodland.

 

[Fitzroy]

Could you show some example of structures done like this which might fit my blueprint for a small work shelter?

If you Google "roundwood woodshed" there are some good images. Some of the structures are using substantial timbers but others look to be in the 6-10cm range. Most of these look to be screwed rather than joinery but walking before running is likely sensible.

 

[MikeB1972]

Can't I just skip the saw, until I get the one from my mum's at least, and do it all with chiseling? Also isn't the dowel bit optional? That seems like an 'extravagance'. Won't the joint just tighten on it's own as you say?

You could skip the saw, and just use a chisel, it will take longer and more skill though.

For a few quid a saw will make things a lot easier, doesn't have to be anything fancier than this,

The joint will tighten on it's own if it's done right - if you just do a mortise and tenon it could loosen as it dries though, the pin pulls everything together as the green wood shrinks, essentially drawboring the joint.
Nothing to stop you making your own pins, round or square if you are going for the zero cost method, but without them you need a much higher level of knowledge of how the wood will shrink as it dries.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

If you Google "roundwood woodshed" there are some good images. Some of the structures are using substantial timbers but others look to be in the 6-10cm range. Most of these look to be screwed rather than joinery but walking before running is likely sensible.

Well I want to run with the mortis and tenon and not walk with materials I have to source elsewhere at all. I don't mind tripping a few times on the way!

I see that roundwood seems to be my thing. Best way I have seen so far. There were so many naysayers elsewhere saying that doing things like that, with unprocessed wood, your structure would just rot and it is a fool's errand etc.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

You could skip the saw, and just use a chisel, it will take longer and more skill though.

For a few quid a saw will make things a lot easier, doesn't have to be anything fancier than this,

Oh well it isn't for long. As mentioned my mum will bring up tools when she visits and can tell her to bring some of the old saws. I prefer using old handmedowns even if they will require sharpening, that is another useful skill I guess rather than just chucking and buying new as soon as they blunt. I got the time.

I just want to busy myself in the meantime and will only be a couple of weeks.

The joint will tighten on it's own if it's done right - if you just do a mortise and tenon it could loosen as it dries though, the pin pulls everything together as the green wood shrinks, essentially drawboring the joint.
Nothing to stop you making your own pins, round or square if you are going for the zero cost method, but without them you need a much higher level of knowledge of how the wood will shrink as it dries.

Oh right that makes sense as to why to use the pins. Square ones would work as well then? It is just those round ones put me off as it looked like a lot more work not only for the pin but also, since I don't have a drill, the hole too.

Chisel, being naturally flat seems like it would be simpler to just do cube shaped pins and holes.

 

[Bingy man]

Oh I do have a shovel. I just didn't mention it as I didn't think it pertinent to woodworking. I also have a sickle with me if that helps.

Although not made for thicker stuff I noticed it isn't doing bad at taking off smaller branches with a few hacks and that is even when it isn't especially blunt.

I did bring some rough sandpaper with me as I saw a couple of videos of sharpening using that as the preferred method.

So could these tools suffice in place of those you suggest?

I think you have the determination to succeed with what you have so anything in addition will be a bonus . Good luck - it reminds me of when I was young , had no money so I’d use what ever I could get my hands on - a piece of broken slab as a hammer, and old meat cleaver as a chisel/ plane , and a 6” nail for a drill etc ..

 

[MikeB1972]

I'd recommend making a couple of sawhorses first - they will be very useful for the build and will be good practice on the joints.

Given the style you are going for they will be something along these lines (this one looks half lapped and nailed, but the general idea is the same)

 

[woodlearner9810182]

I am just reading a bushcraft article that I can make lashings from brambles and nettles. I have far more of the former than the latter that I have come across so far.

This would save a lot of work wouldn't it?

Of course a lot of strength would be sacrificed instead of using joints but it would give me something to work from probably in a much quicker time frame.

 

[MikeB1972]

It'd save work, but wouldn't last as long, and there are a lot of less painful materials to use

 

[woodlearner9810182]

a lot of less painful materials to use

Such as?

Of course won't last as long but it could tide me over the winter months and I could then work on a stronger one from the protection of that shelter. This is an article I had saved from the other day for a bender.

 

[stuckinthemud]

Likely species depends on where in Wales you are. Possibly oak, ash, beech, hawthorn, Norway maple, sycamore, field maple, downy birch and silver birch

 

[samweb132]

This sounds like a very interesting project! I guess you can problably survive without even a hammer or chisel. However it all depends on how much comfort you want to have, how well you want to build things and how long you want it to take. good luck, would love to see some pictures!

 

[Agent_zed]

Whatever you do strip the bark off, it will make the log last longer. Could use an adze or an axe if you are careful, although a draw knife is probably the easiest. I'd also look to put the logs onto pad stones to reduce the amount of water coming up into the log from the ground, which will hopefully prevent rot.

 

[niall Y]

Btw I would imagine his book would be focused on the most efficient and elegant way to make things of beauty with no expense spared for the right suite of tools. I on the other hand am more interested in the most basic way to achieve the goal with as little tools as possible. Would neolithic building be my go-to research here?

His range of tools don't seem to be precious and artisan but a healthy admixture of old and modern - with a few power tools mixed in there.
Lots of ancient building structures rely on partially , or fully digging out the ground and roofing over. Not really advisable in areas of heavy and persistent rainfall.

 

[paulrbarnard]

You have one big advantage over neolithic man - you have a steel chisel. He merely had a rock tied to a stick for a hammer!

Neolithic man had the benefit of centuries of passed down practical tips on how to make things with just a hammer. They tended to be fairly crude by modern standards - concepts of straight, vertical, flat were foreign concepts.

You probably need to think more like a "neolith" - forget flat worktops. Dry(ish) and a flat(ish) stone to work on is probably the bet you can aspire to.

Pretty sure there is plenty of Neanderthal thinking available here to help out

 

[MikeB1972]

Such as?

Anything flexible enough to tie into a knot.
Willow, reeds, hazel, some grasses etc, etc.

See what is lying around and give it a try, some things will work well, others won't.

 

[stuckinthemud]

Plenty of articles out there on making cordage from natural materials

 

[woodlearner9810182]

Likely species depends on where in Wales you are. Possibly oak, ash, beech, hawthorn, Norway maple, sycamore, field maple, downy birch and silver birch

I will look those up and see and say if any fit the bill. I think oak can be ruled out since as I said only a couple of big ones on the hedgerow and I know what they look like. Not sure what smaller ones look like but the bark on these look nothing like that so I guess not oak.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

This sounds like a very interesting project! I guess you can problably survive without even a hammer or chisel. However it all depends on how much comfort you want to have, how well you want to build things and how long you want it to take. good luck, would love to see some pictures!

Indeed. Sure I imagine I could live just chucking moss and leaves over myself to sleep and eating game but I want a reasonable level of comfort. Nothing fancy just the basics of warmth and shelter.

I have lived in my van for a year and embarked on this to 'branch out' if you shall excuse the pun. So just the increase of space is a big luxury! Just a simple shelter where I am able to stand up again will be an extravagance!