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

[John Brown]

It's a shame you don't have a camera, this venture would make an interesting WIP.
So if you're able to post on this forum, are you using an old Nokia brick, or have you discovered some stone age method of internet access?

 

[Jameshow]

You could if you a a few quid behind you, hire a mobile sawman for the day.

Take down a few trees and mill them to use green or sticker them for later use dried 1 year per inch thickness dependant upon species soft faster hardwoods slower...

That would give you a head start and also he would also give you invaluable know about your woods.

I could send you some 200mm coach screws if any use?

 

[woodlearner9810182]

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.

Oh that brings up another important point I have not mentioned yet I don't think...the land is rather boggy!

As in dig a 1 ft hole and in a couple of hours there will be a couple of cm of water puddle in it.

I did an experiment today in the little space I had cleared so far for cooking. In other words the mud patch! I dug a channel round the higher part (the land is slightly sloping southwards) and on either side.

I am interested to see if this will help to dry out the raised bit. I read something like that in the SAS book yesterday in the section on shelters.

Not sure if I will have to shore up the sides more to encourage the water down the channels or if it will find the path of least resistance on its own, if indeed the channel will be the path of least resistance.
Suggestions welcome there.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

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.

Oh right, I just know that those brambles are really stringy when I have hacked them with the sickle.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

It's a shame you don't have a camera, this venture would make an interesting WIP.
So if you're able to post on this forum, are you using an old Nokia brick, or have you discovered some stone age method of internet access?

I don't use a smartphone so no internet on that or camera.

I have solar and simple 12v electrical system, with laptop connected mobile internet dongle, in my van which I am currently retreating to. I thought when starting out that internet will be essential for research so wanted to keep that.

I have a 'traditional' digital camera but didn't bring it.

Hmm yes I guess it could be an interesting journey for others to follow but I am not keen on putting my life on display on the internet, not on video/picture at least. I got into this to be a hermit, at least for the foreseeable.

I could perhaps stretch the odd snap of tools or sections of projects for comment but none of that HD daily follow arounds, with those 'cinematic' shots where they put the camera down and walk by and you know they have to pick it up after the shot, lol, influencer stuff that youtube is awash with. Not my style.

 

[woodlearner9810182]

You could if you a a few quid behind you, hire a mobile sawman for the day.

Take down a few trees and mill them to use green or sticker them for later use dried 1 year per inch thickness dependant upon species soft faster hardwoods slower...

That would give you a head start and also he would also give you invaluable know about your woods.

I could send you some 200mm coach screws if any use?

Thanks for the suggestion and offer but that would go against the whole ethos of build from scratch with what is here.

I like the idea of joinery and/or lashing to not have to source things from elsewhere.

 

[Cabinetman]

A few times when life has got me down I have daydreamed of something along the lines of what you are doing.
Must say with Winter coming on it’s not going to be that pleasant on a boggy site though.
If you allow yourself just a little expenditure for simple stuff like a saw rope and a Tarpaulin you could lash up something like this against a couple of suitable trees.

I found this by entering woodland lean to btw

 

[stuckinthemud]

A Leonardo truss uses round wood

 

[stuckinthemud]

A reciprocal roof could be fun

https://timberframehq.com/tidbits-s...LUUhaNVNUdzRpT1BKWVUxSDVqUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2NoWFdV

 

[samweb132]

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!

I see you've gotten alot of replies, I'm likely flogging a dead horse but I recommend allowing yourself the freedom of hand tools. Nothing too fancy such as a £300 plane or anything but basic woodworking tools can be found for ridiculously cheap these days on fbm for example. Even better if you already have them. I would say limiting your tool choice to just a chisel and hammer will create and unnecessary amount of pain. But it's entirely up to you.

 

[Blackswanwood]

I may be missing something butI'm not clear what the exam question is.

Are you looking to prove that you can make a workshop and make things using tools you've made yourself and/or are you wanting to make a living through what you produce from the woodland that you own?

 

[jetsetwilly]

It seems you have access to the internet, and that books are allowed. With those resources you should be able to identify your trees from the leaves - do it quick before the leaves all drop (if they don't, well that's a big clue!). You might know willow by sight - it's usefully bendy and the bark and small stems are good for cordage.

Once you have an axe and a knife you'll be off and running. A saw will be good too but for me a heavy choppy thing would be the minimum toolkit.

 

[duke]

One word of caution, be very careful and aware of what you are doing on the woodlot especially if working alone.
Maybe get a book on the proper way to fell a tree, even a 6" diameter tree can cause bodily damage.