To Peter, from Peter . . . . I'm a 77 yr old retired First Sergeant, and I'm afraid Ive "let the old man in" I thoroughly enjoy your videos (having been an avid outdoorsman/ hunter/ fisher/and generally caretaker of our resources since I was a pup. Many thanks to you and Cathy.
Well Peter, I’m not a whole lot of years behind you. I curious ,I’ve been told once a Sergeant always a Sergeant. Glad you’re enjoying the step back in time endeavor and we certainly appreciate your interest.
Your philosophy sounds like my Father. He’ll be 86 in December and he’s still out there in 105 degree heat baling hay, and he wouldn’t be happy otherwise.🐝🤗❤️ I love your cabin❤️
Peter, you and your wife are so tenacious and committed to undertake such heavy manual work and all without the aid of modern lifting equipment. I am in awe of you both with all the other chores you have to do on a daily basis. It might interest you to know that I was exhausted after watching all the heavy lifting you both did and had to take to my bed for a week to fully recover from the ordeal.
I can just imagine how good it felt to have that last log in place. Happy that your Son got to give a helping hand and spend a little time with you.Thanks Cathy and Peter for Sharing, do appreciate all you do to bring Woodland Escape to us 🙂.
Hello Cathy & Peter.The blacksmith shop is coming along nicely. Im glad your son was able to help for a couple of days. Don't let the old man in....I like it. I've got a bad case of tennis elbow they tell me. Darn elbow just hurts non stop. Suppose I will get a cortisone shot Tuesday at my follow up. I have the most least physical job of my life now but the damage has been done to my body. I can't help but wonder about our ancestors and the things they did to their bodies to survive. Sooner or later the old man is coming in. Thanks for sharing and pardon my ramblings. Be safe and we'll see you on the next one. I still have to watch the complete canoe build video you released but I'll save it for a rainy day. Thanks again.
Your absolutely right about eventually the old man does get through the door, at least the physical fellow but, one can keep the old fellow out mentally till death. Hope you get some reprieve from your pain soon.
I like the idea of you and your wife now is on the site more lately... It is like going back in time and watching pioneers of long ago... I am amazed at both of you as to how good in shape you both are. I was really surprised when Kathy's feet came off the ground and she was able to hold herself up - few women can do that.... I also like what you said about getting old... it reminded me of a bodybuilder slogan... "You don't stop lifting wights when you get old, You get old when you stop lifting weights"... at 70 I still hit the weights even though not as strong as I was when younger....
Thanks. I didn't have an appreciation of the difficulty of building a log structure until this video. I just knew they built log cabins in the old times. Cathy is a Saint.
I was grunting along with you raising those logs. I am tired from putting my energy into it too. What a trooper Cathy is. You can say she is pulling her weight. What an amazing saw mill. Thanks for the video.
UPPER CANADA VILLAGE! What a wonderful village to visit! I'd LOVE to go back after 20 years to see the developments. About this video: I DID NOT HAVE THE STAMINA even to watch you and your wife place the last courses of logs.
Beautiful job I helped my dad build a log cabin house in Pennsylvania and I built my shop here in Canada thank you for the video and we'll talk soon PS I Love old machinery thank you for this video very enjoyment
Absolutely amazing. You and Cathy are a great team! Love watching your 18th century building projects. We need to keep these crafts and this lifestyle alive.
Hey old man (and old woman)! You guys are doing some heavy work! Proud of you, and hope you don't hurt your back (s) with all that heavy lifting. This is gonna be one heck of a cool blacksmith shop! I really look forward to seeing you pounding on some red hot steel. Thanks for all the super entertaining videos.
I love watching your videos! You and Cathy are a formidable force! Can't wait to see the end result of this latest endeavor!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed every video you have created! And we certainly do learn as we get older, to work smarter and not harder. I can't help but wonder of we'd be the better or the worse had we listened to the old folks when we were younger. I keep hearing Grandpa tell me, as I was jumping off the roof and out of trees, that God only gave me two knees!
Ah that sage old advice of our elders. Few of us listened and many of our mishaps in life are a result of that indifference to their thoughts. There is an old saying, “young people should get to know old people, old people know stuff.”.
I am more than pleased to see the progress being made on your latest project. Your commitment, and skills in all the trades is inspirational to all of us viewers. Make good use of any offered help.
your shop is coming along nicely. and as far as "not letting the old man in" goes, you sir put to shame many a man half your age. you are doing more than many of the fellas i work with in construction lol
Looking good. I picked up the wood for my gable ends at the sawmill. Saved me a lot of time and a lot of work. In 1947 my grandparents cut down trees and took them to the mill to be made into lumber for the house my grandfather built. The house still stands today in Parry Sound. He paid the township 10 cents per tree. I can't imagine doing that in this day and age.
Thanks Douglas. There are lot of things that in we would find unimaginable in our modern world. Neat story about your grandparents, thanks for sharing.
The blacksmith shop is looking great! I'm glad to hear your son was able to come help you guys because i was starting to feel a bit guilty sitting here watching lol. Those old water mills are fascinating, id like to visit one someday. Great video!
Hello there my friend. Moving right along, I really am glad your son helped y'all a bit. I can't wait to see the completion of this project then on to the next, I'm anxiously awaiting. Take care my friend. Thank you sir
WHAT A RELIEF! WHEW...U had me worried 4 both U and Catherine = YIKES! Hopefully, the greatest challenges R behind U in this build. I'd say it truly is a WORK shop, and when it's done...a TOY shop! I like this quote of Abraham Lincoln; "In the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." Can't say by this reasoning that either U Peter or Catherine will ever age...only mature, like fine wine. Thanks kindly 4 the vid. Health and God Bless U and yours! :)
I really love that quote by old Abe, or should I say young Abe. You do have good memory with the toy room versus shop thing. As to the build, the heavy lifting is done. The roof is going to be a “piece of cake”. Wonder where that saying came from?
@@TheWoodlandEscape Looked up the origin of the phrase and was surprised 2 read the following...It is believed that this phrase was invented in the 1870s during slavery in the southern states of America. As part of a dance or celebration organised by slave owners, black slaves would compete in ‘cake walks’, performing a dance which imitated and subtely mocked the elaborate and ostentatious gestures of the white slave owners. The most elegant couple/team would be given a cake as an award. It seems that the white slave owners didn’t understand that they were being mocked in these elaborate ‘cake walk’ dances, and took great delight in watching ‘their slaves’ emulating their ‘refined’ behavior. The piece of cake that was awarded as the prize to the best couple/team, came to be known among the blacks as something very easy to obtain. (A sort of underhand and hidden insult to unknowing white ruling class.) Source: theidioms.com How interesting eh? Makes me ponder on how little we know and that we 'really' do not know 'what' we R saying! :)
Hello Peter and Cathy. You all are doing a great job, enjoying this build as I do all of yours. Yes we do have it easy in the 21st-century, but there was nothing easy about the work I saw in this video. Nice job you two. Thank you
A great progress of the blacksmith shop. Kudos to you Peter and Cathy for lifting that heavy logs using only a pulley. Looking forward to the next video.
Another outstanding add to your video collection! My great grandparents lived on the family homestead built in 1804 if I remember the date on the log. I never did understand why the ceilings and doorways were so short. I could touch the ceiling with my elbow. After watching your videos and seeing logs used as walls I understand. Now that I am older I also understand why the kitchen didn't have a ceiling. Of course the kitchen was built separated from the living quarters in case of fire. Electricity was added in the 50's and they finally got an inside bathroom about 1975. I actually missed drawing water from the well. When they added the electrical wiring they paneled over the inside so the logs were not seen. I always wondered if the chinking was still in. A strip of wood was nailed on the outside of the logs so the area in between them couldn't be seen and so you really had to look at it to see it was a log cabin. The tools and equipment they had was amazing. It was destroyed by fire in the early 90's.
Sad to lose that family history in a fire. There are many log homes in our area that are been refaced both in and out. It was also quite typical to not have running water or electricity until the 50’s. I went to a 2 room school house that didn’t get running water until 1959, the year I started grade one.
Great video you guys! Looks like you are truly 'keeping the old man away'. Cathy is a great helpmate and strong too. Curious to see how you will weather-in the structure. Awesome teamwork.
Looking great! My back hurts less this week watching the progress. I am glad my shop is done but watching this makes me want to get back out into the woods and make something else. Wife says I got knives to finish for the show. Oh well.
Wow, the shop is really coming along. Perfect size too, in my opinion. My current Blacksmith shop is 14' x 20'. This is my 5th shop in 30 years, but my other shops were much larger. This time I went with a smaller footprint and I'm glad I did. Much more comfortable and all the tools are much more accessible. There really isn't a need for a gigantic shop unless you're in heavy production with employees. I think you'll be very happy with your shop. It's really exciting to watch the progress !!
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Unfortunately I was born old! I try to keep moving forward the best I can. It's always good when you can find young, energetic,and reliable help. The build is coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!
Interestingly, I have been in Russia and Ukraine many times and we got lumber from a mill that had the same type of saw but with 4 blades cutting boards!!! Worked very slick and rather fast! Thanks for sharing!!!
Hi Peter, wow seems like you have gotten a lot done. You and Cathy are sure when heck of a team! Nice to follow you along on your projects your always an inspiration for living historians and DIY folks. By the way, Yesterday, I had a pleasantly brief conversation with a couple from London Ontario. I am just across the water from ya so we get a lot of visitors from Ontario that come across from the Soo. I will surely watch this again over a cup of coffee! See ya on the next one.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you Peter. Beautiful indeed and lots of history too. French trappers, War of 1812 River Raisin battlefield park, Frenchtown. But a lot of folks don't know much about the battle of Brownstown. Heck, Daniel Boone was even force marched as a captive to Fort Detroit. But the winters are miserable! Take care look forward to the next.
Did you think of making a windlass to help with raising those? Haven't seen you link your blocks together for greater advantage, though I'm sure you have... Good to see you doing more! 🙂
Hi Peter. That was very interesting! Loved the story about the farmer and the cow, made me laugh. That water powered sawmill is a work or art! How on earth anyone came up with the intricacies of making it do what it does in such a rudimentary way is beyond me, pure genius. Best wishes, Mark
Glad you enjoyed it. I too am fascinated by that mill … I can literally spend a half a day in that mill. The operators are also awesome fellows to chat with.
Peter, great progress. I love yours and Cathy's teamwork. You mentioned hauling logs to a saw mill. My great grandparents came to east central Illinois in the late 1860's. The 1st building put up was the barn, where they also lived for the first 2 years. They worked together on a two man whipsaw to cut the lumber. My grandfather and one of his brothers were born in that barn. The timbers for the frame were hand hewn with axe and adz. As a young boy I was able to visit the old Witte homestead. The barn was still in use, and in good repair.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Go for it. On that visit to the old homestead my grandmother showed me the spot down by the creek where she had a big kettle used for making wood ash hominy. I still remember her method and use it today.
What about the wee bit of history? that's your thing, your shtick, integral to the channel. Great episode, when will you start harvesting food from the garden?
Sometimes, Brandon I get too absorbed in the project and forget my wee bits of history. Funny, you should ask about produce as we’re harvesting our onion crop tomorrow.
We have been binge watching many of the episodes while we are shelling our Rockwell beans ( a dry bean which cooks up very creamy ). So far we have shelled and dried over three gallons…. Maybe a couple more gallons and then we have beans for the winter and enough for seed next year. We trialed skunk beans ( a pole dry bean ) and next year are going to plant them in the three sisters arrangement on our Indian flour corn. Have you ever grown three sisters? We will do it with the skunk beans and with kabocha squash.
It is a wonderful feeling to put food down for the winter, particularly food you’ve grown with your own hands. I’ve not tried that variety but, it sounds delicious. Wow 5 gallons, that’s a lot of work. We’ve not tried a 3 sister garden but, we’re considering it for next year.
Very interesting indeed, the years of experience show. Of all the Log Cabins I’ve seen your log work surpasses them all for uniformity and quality of build. Your truly a inspiration. Have you thought of adding 18th Century Cooking to the homestead? An Earthen Oven for baking? You’ve shown some and it was very interesting.
I'd bet you wish you were 6' 4" & had four strappling sons in permanent residence!! - Or 2 Cathys!! The building looks magnificent, can't wait for the end result. Sure earned their money in that saw mill - be great to see it working, plus the remainder of the village there.
Ironically, I do have 4 sons and of them over 6’ tall. Your spot on one more Cathy would have done the trick, heck I could have just sat back and watched.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks! My mother had it picked out for years, it comes from the old Hebrew Bible, the book of Samuel. My wife and I cannot wait to see the finished blacksmith shop, you guys are an inspiration and you keep history alive. Thank you so much for the amazing knowledge you share every week!
It’s going to be a pretty nice shop Peter! I was pretty impressed on my visit this past Monday 🙂 and came home with some wonderful ideas for my 1931 pole barn , future wood working shop🙂 I will keep an eye out for some nice old No.1 iron for you for the the fire 🔥
You get the same weather we do here in N. Michigan, only a day later. At the rate you're going, you'll have the roof on before it snows and you can fit out the inside at your leisure. The forge will keep you warm.
wow this project is coming along fast, I'm glad to hear that you had help with raising some of those heavy logs, I'm interested to see the bellows being made, the mill video at the end makes me think of a time when i worked at the local sawmill in my home town but it was not hydro powered, well i suppose it sort of was because we produce power here with water turbines but the mill was mostly all run on electric motors
I am also looking forward to the bellow project. I worked at a local mill as well, way back in the 70’s, it was powered by a big old belt driven off a Massey Ferguson tractor.
Wow movin right along, what a cool structure that’s gonna be!! Man I thought your wife was gonna swing over the side, she’s got some grip strength!! You might be able to take her, but I gotta feelin if you tried you’d be limpin back…. Great job guys!!!
We have one of those sawmills near us at the Daniel Boone Homestead here in Berks county Pennsylvania. It is very cool to see how they did it way back when. Your shop looks great!
Looking good, coming right along. If you had two more blocks you could attach those to the log being lifted. Tie your ropes off to the top of the center pole above the 2 blocks, run your rope then through the 2 blocks on the log and the back through the blocks on your center pole. It will reduce the weight by 30% guaranteed. Sorry I didn't have this advice sooner.
Your absolutely right but, I didn’t have any addition pulleys. We got it done and with the exception of a couple of stubborn ones, they rolled up pretty nice.
Where there's a will there's a way. Well done & great progress. I love those ole mills. I'm a 3rd generation sawyer myself. Check out Leonard's Mills in Bradley, Maine. I've volunteered there several times.
The "old man" took one look at you and hightailed it back through the woods. I helped roll up a cabin when I was young and we used red pine. Is that what you're using? I've seen those old sawmills work...like a pit saw, but on a moving carriage. Great video, as usual.
If you put little steps on your frame you use to pull up the new logs up with, the log could sit independently. You can pull one side up to the next step, then go and move the other side up one step. Alternating all the way up. Far easier than trying to do the whole thing in one attempt.
thank you for this video! Your yard becomes more and more self-reliable with all that structures. I wonder what will be the roof made of. Have you tried to make and fire your own tiles yet?
I have not made my own tiles but, sounds interesting. Eventually I’ll over it with cedar shakes but, I’ll probably simply roll some tar paper on it until spring. I’ve got to get doing my forge before we start getting frost.
Speaking of sawmills, my late husband's grandfather, who was in the first graduating class from the University of Tennessee, and was a teacher in a small school in eastern Tennessee Had a sawmill where he would work when not teaching. One day he was sawing wood by himself and was killed! He left a wife and 8 children, the 8th just a few months old. One of those children was my husband's mother. Grandma lived out the rest of her life raising those kids on that farm. She died at age 90!!
Oh my, such a tragic bit of family history . I guess most of us have had our share of tragic things in our lives but, like your husband’s grandmother, we carry on.
My maternal great-grandmother raised 8 kids by herself too. Youngest was under a year old, my grandfather the eldest at about 11. My great-grandfather died of consumption supposedly caught from a second hand cornet (he was in a brass band). This was in Queensland, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. My grandfather was a blacksmith and wheelwright. When motor vehicles arrived in the early part of last century he taught himself how to be a mechanic and travelled the area behind the Gold Coast as a breakdown mechanic. He died in 1964, my grandmother in 1992. Two of his sisters lived to 102 and 103. That side of my family are of German/Prussian descent.
Oh, there's been a mistake. The logs dry and become lower. But the door frame does not get lower. You should have left 2-3 inches of air above the door frame for the horizontal board to lower evenly.
Good point Ron. I did actually give it some thought but, I built a very large woodshed years ago and although there was some settling it never created a real issue. Perhaps, given that both structures sit on rocks with no foundation, perhaps the frost heaving compensates wood shrinkage. Time will tell.
I’m curious as to why some log cabin builds have larger spaces between the logs like yours, and other seem to be closer together? What is the difference in making those and what is the advantage/disadvantage ?
In the time period we portray, they simply did not the tools that would allow for tight fitting logs, so chinking was the order of the day. Fancier homes were hand hewn allowing for a much more consistent fit but, still required chinking.
Your moccasins look so comfortable. It's weird to say, but it kinda makes me envious of the Native Americans/frontiersmen who wore moccasins every day (instead of stiff and uncomfortable modern shoes)
I know you have already completed your blacksmith shop but I will add this comment anyway for future reference for the next log structure you build. I watched you struggle to get those logs up on your walls. There is an easier way to do that. Why don’t you use the simple three support tripod over each corner? Put a rope and pulley on the tripod and then you can hoist each end of your log up easily. This would then make it easily into a one person job. When you are done with one end of the log, move your tripod to the other end. Love your videos. Bill H.
Actually, if we can get permission to do a video at that historic site, I would cover not only the mill but, all the amazing workings of the village. Great idea, thanks.
I know lady is our age, whose grandpa and 2 young sons drove 15 mile by WAGON , bought a tree for 25 cents, fell it cut it up, split it, loaded it, drove back, sold it for 1.25 profit the next day. All by hand, a wagon load.
in the words of " Fat Albert " , don't know if you know him , " Looking Good " . Cartoon character with Bill Cosby's voice . That hat your were wearing ... does points mean something or just the style in those days ? I like that quick video that old Old Sawmill..... I too can just sit there and stand and watch it all day long... Long time ago I used to get my wood place in New Hampshire..The saw mill he had was 150 years old ...... a place I lived in , , New Hampshire , had some wood in the barn that was 360 years old that was probably cut by a sawmill like that , Take care
God bless you and your wife for taking a project like this on. You are definitely "keeping the old man out". I am glad your son could help for a bit.
Thank you Anthony and I’m doing my best to keep that old fellow at bay!
To Peter, from Peter . . . . I'm a 77 yr old retired First Sergeant, and I'm afraid Ive "let the old man in" I thoroughly enjoy your videos (having been an avid outdoorsman/ hunter/ fisher/and generally caretaker of our resources since I was a pup. Many thanks to you and Cathy.
Well Peter, I’m not a whole lot of years behind you. I curious ,I’ve been told once a Sergeant always a Sergeant. Glad you’re enjoying the step back in time endeavor and we certainly appreciate your interest.
Your philosophy sounds like my Father. He’ll be 86 in December and he’s still out there in 105 degree heat baling hay, and he wouldn’t be happy otherwise.🐝🤗❤️ I love your cabin❤️
Wow, good for him … once a farmer always a farmer!
@@TheWoodlandEscape yep! He’s as tough as they come and can still work most people into the ground.🐝🤗❤️
Your wife is one hard working woman. And the blacksmith shop is really coming along. Love the sawmill at the end.
Thanks Eric and your spot on, Cathy is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Peter, you and your wife are so tenacious and committed to undertake such heavy manual work and all without the aid of modern lifting equipment. I am in awe of you both with all the other chores you have to do on a daily basis. It might interest you to know that I was exhausted after watching all the heavy lifting you both did and had to take to my bed for a week to fully recover from the ordeal.
That is too funny. You’ve given my my daily laugh and I thank you for it!
Haha yes been waiting for this for awhile you guys put me at peace with your videos God bless you guys 👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾
If our video’s somehow bring some peace to people, than it is all worth the effort.
I can just imagine how good it felt to have that last log in place. Happy that your Son got to give a helping hand and spend a little time with you.Thanks Cathy and Peter for Sharing, do appreciate all you do to bring Woodland Escape to us 🙂.
Thanks Donald and there was an added bonus of having two of my grandsons for the weekend.
The blacksmith shop is coming along nicely, chuckled when Kathy was airborne. Take care, keep your powder dry
She did make a nice landing though . Watch your top knot, Lance.
I am so impressed! Cathy looked as if she was having a fun time swinging around on the rope! You two are such a joy to watch. My favorite vid.
Thanks Millie. If your not having fun, than there is little or no purpose in life.
Hello Cathy & Peter.The blacksmith shop is coming along nicely. Im glad your son was able to help for a couple of days. Don't let the old man in....I like it.
I've got a bad case of tennis elbow they tell me. Darn elbow just hurts non stop. Suppose I will get a cortisone shot Tuesday at my follow up. I have the most least physical job of my life now but the damage has been done to my body.
I can't help but wonder about our ancestors and the things they did to their bodies to survive. Sooner or later the old man is coming in. Thanks for sharing and pardon my ramblings. Be safe and we'll see you on the next one. I still have to watch the complete canoe build video you released but I'll save it for a rainy day. Thanks again.
Your absolutely right about eventually the old man does get through the door, at least the physical fellow but, one can keep the old fellow out mentally till death. Hope you get some reprieve from your pain soon.
I like the idea of you and your wife now is on the site more lately... It is like going back in time and watching pioneers of long ago... I am amazed at both of you as to how good in shape you both are. I was really surprised when Kathy's feet came off the ground and she was able to hold herself up - few women can do that.... I also like what you said about getting old... it reminded me of a bodybuilder slogan... "You don't stop lifting wights when you get old, You get old when you stop lifting weights"... at 70 I still hit the weights even though not as strong as I was when younger....
That is a classic quote, Everett. Cathy is indeed one fine helper and the best parter ones could imagine.
Thanks. I didn't have an appreciation of the difficulty of building a log structure until this video. I just knew they built log cabins in the old times.
Cathy is a Saint.
She is indeed, Richard. Hard but, satisfying work!
I was grunting along with you raising those logs. I am tired from putting my energy into it too. What a trooper Cathy is. You can say she is pulling her weight. What an amazing saw mill. Thanks for the video.
She does indeed pull her weight!
Don't let the old man in...There are days when he has a foot in the door. Great video.
Yup, that’s for sure and for certain.
UPPER CANADA VILLAGE! What a wonderful village to visit! I'd LOVE to go back after 20 years to see the developments. About this video: I DID NOT HAVE THE STAMINA even to watch you and your wife place the last courses of logs.
Too funny … my evening smile and I thank you. It is an amazing working 19th century village.
Awesome man thanks for sharing
Our pleasure, Cade.
As my grandfather (who was a farmer, and for years a dairy farmer) used to say, "It's a great life if you don't weaken".
That’s a classic quote and one I’ve not heard before. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful job I helped my dad build a log cabin house in Pennsylvania and I built my shop here in Canada thank you for the video and we'll talk soon PS I Love old machinery thank you for this video very enjoyment
We share a similar passion!
Your looking good 👍 Peter we the shop is looking good. WOW can't wait to watch the bellows being built. Be safe you two!
I’m with you Lawrence, looking forward to the bellows. A wee bit off as the next thing on the list is the stone forge before we start getting frost.
Absolutely amazing. You and Cathy are a great team! Love watching your 18th century building projects. We need to keep these crafts and this lifestyle alive.
Cathy makes the best team member ever. Glad you’re enjoying.
Hey old man (and old woman)! You guys are doing some heavy work! Proud of you, and hope you don't hurt your back (s) with all that heavy lifting. This is gonna be one heck of a cool blacksmith shop! I really look forward to seeing you pounding on some red hot steel. Thanks for all the super entertaining videos.
Thanks Ed. That red hot metal banging is a ways off but, it will happen.
The shop is really coming together now and looking good! That sawmill is really neat too, i've never seen one like that before!
I find water powered mills fascinating.
I love watching your videos! You and Cathy are a formidable force! Can't wait to see the end result of this latest endeavor!!! I have thoroughly enjoyed every video you have created! And we certainly do learn as we get older, to work smarter and not harder. I can't help but wonder of we'd be the better or the worse had we listened to the old folks when we were younger. I keep hearing Grandpa tell me, as I was jumping off the roof and out of trees, that God only gave me two knees!
Ah that sage old advice of our elders. Few of us listened and many of our mishaps in life are a result of that indifference to their thoughts. There is an old saying, “young people should get to know old people, old people know stuff.”.
I am more than pleased to see the progress being made on your latest project. Your commitment, and skills in all the trades is inspirational to all of us viewers. Make good use of any offered help.
Thanks so much, Hayward, not only for your kind words but, also your fine nails. They will be put to good use.
Looks great. You and your wife are so patient.
Well at least when camera, lol.
your shop is coming along nicely. and as far as "not letting the old man in" goes, you sir put to shame many a man half your age. you are doing more than many of the fellas i work with in construction lol
Appreciate the compliment… growing up on a farm perhaps helped establish a work ethic.
Looking good. I picked up the wood for my gable ends at the sawmill. Saved me a lot of time and a lot of work. In 1947 my grandparents cut down trees and took them to the mill to be made into lumber for the house my grandfather built. The house still stands today in Parry Sound. He paid the township 10 cents per tree. I can't imagine doing that in this day and age.
Thanks Douglas. There are lot of things that in we would find unimaginable in our modern world. Neat story about your grandparents, thanks for sharing.
The blacksmith shop is looking great! I'm glad to hear your son was able to come help you guys because i was starting to feel a bit guilty sitting here watching lol. Those old water mills are fascinating, id like to visit one someday. Great video!
Thanks Ronnie. We have number of surviving mills up here and I find them fascinating.
Well done you two. Very impressive effort on the wall logs for the blacksmith shop. Peter, I love the new hat.
Very observant, Doug. It is far more authentic than the other tricorn I wear.
@@TheWoodlandEscape, I always wanted one to go along with my Royal Welsh Fusilier bear skin hat....
Hello there my friend. Moving right along, I really am glad your son helped y'all a bit. I can't wait to see the completion of this project then on to the next, I'm anxiously awaiting. Take care my friend. Thank you sir
Patrick was a big help getting up 6 logs. Heavy work is behind us.
WHAT A RELIEF! WHEW...U had me worried 4 both U and Catherine = YIKES! Hopefully, the greatest challenges R behind U in this build. I'd say it truly is a WORK shop, and when it's done...a TOY shop! I like this quote of Abraham Lincoln; "In the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years." Can't say by this reasoning that either U Peter or Catherine will ever age...only mature, like fine wine. Thanks kindly 4 the vid. Health and God Bless U and yours! :)
I really love that quote by old Abe, or should I say young Abe. You do have good memory with the toy room versus shop thing. As to the build, the heavy lifting is done. The roof is going to be a “piece of cake”. Wonder where that saying came from?
@@TheWoodlandEscape Looked up the origin of the phrase and was surprised 2 read the following...It is believed that this phrase was invented in the 1870s during slavery in the southern states of America. As part of a dance or celebration organised by slave owners, black slaves would compete in ‘cake walks’, performing a dance which imitated and subtely mocked the elaborate and ostentatious gestures of the white slave owners. The most elegant couple/team would be given a cake as an award. It seems that the white slave owners didn’t understand that they were being mocked in these elaborate ‘cake walk’ dances, and took great delight in watching ‘their slaves’ emulating their ‘refined’ behavior. The piece of cake that was awarded as the prize to the best couple/team, came to be known among the blacks as something very easy to obtain. (A sort of underhand and hidden insult to unknowing white ruling class.) Source: theidioms.com How interesting eh? Makes me ponder on how little we know and that we 'really' do not know 'what' we R saying! :)
Wow, what a fascinating “wee bit” of history. I do believe we share a common passion in researching history!
Cathy goes flyin in the first scene 😆
Ah but, she landed safely, lol.
Hello Peter and Cathy. You all are doing a great job, enjoying this build as I do all of yours.
Yes we do have it easy in the 21st-century, but there was nothing easy about the work I saw in this video. Nice job you two.
Thank you
Thanks so much, Richard. Glad to have the log raising over, it will be a tad easier now.
Your blacksmith shop is taking shape and is looking awesome. You both know how to put in a hard day’s work! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you.
So enjoyable to watch Peter. You and Cathy are a great team. Cant wait for the next episode.
Thanks, Paul. New one out in a week, as i work, Cathy films.
A great progress of the blacksmith shop. Kudos to you Peter and Cathy for lifting that heavy logs using only a pulley. Looking forward to the next video.
Thank you sir, always some positive to say.
Another outstanding add to your video collection! My great grandparents lived on the family homestead built in 1804 if I remember the date on the log. I never did understand why the ceilings and doorways were so short. I could touch the ceiling with my elbow. After watching your videos and seeing logs used as walls I understand. Now that I am older I also understand why the kitchen didn't have a ceiling. Of course the kitchen was built separated from the living quarters in case of fire. Electricity was added in the 50's and they finally got an inside bathroom about 1975. I actually missed drawing water from the well. When they added the electrical wiring they paneled over the inside so the logs were not seen. I always wondered if the chinking was still in. A strip of wood was nailed on the outside of the logs so the area in between them couldn't be seen and so you really had to look at it to see it was a log cabin. The tools and equipment they had was amazing. It was destroyed by fire in the early 90's.
Sad to lose that family history in a fire. There are many log homes in our area that are been refaced both in and out. It was also quite typical to not have running water or electricity until the 50’s. I went to a 2 room school house that didn’t get running water until 1959, the year I started grade one.
The 2 of you are Awsome, Big Hugs. 🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿🐿
Right back, Kelly. I’m really enjoying those books you sent, thanks again.
@@TheWoodlandEscape I'm so excited to be of help. Big hugs.
How great! Looks really nice. Waiting for the rest😃
I’m waiting for a rest as well, lol. Should be basically closed in in another week or so.
Great video you guys! Looks like you are truly 'keeping the old man away'. Cathy is a great helpmate and strong too. Curious to see how you will weather-in the structure. Awesome teamwork.
Thanks Peggy. Your spot on, one doesn’t want to be messing with Cathy, lol.
Looking great! My back hurts less this week watching the progress. I am glad my shop is done but watching this makes me want to get back out into the woods and make something else. Wife says I got knives to finish for the show. Oh well.
Nothing beats being out in wilderness. I’m assuming your a blacksmith? Good luck at your show, hope you sell out!
Wow, the shop is really coming along. Perfect size too, in my opinion. My current Blacksmith shop is 14' x 20'. This is my 5th shop in 30 years, but my other shops were much larger. This time I went with a smaller footprint and I'm glad I did. Much more comfortable and all the tools are much more accessible. There really isn't a need for a gigantic shop unless you're in heavy production with employees. I think you'll be very happy with your shop. It's really exciting to watch the progress !!
Thank you. The footprint of this one is 18x16, so exactly the square footage of yours.
BEAUTIFUL! Thank you for teaching all us!
Glad you’re enjoying.
my granddad used the claw for climbing and pickin up pails,happy to see you do that too
Old habits die hard!
Nicely done Peter, you are one fast builder!
Thanks Jay. I do find it difficult to sit still, lol.
O boy, glad u threw the cow story in there cause I was just thinking............🙃
Too funny!
Appreciate your efforts and dedication! Unfortunately I was born old! I try to keep moving forward the best I can. It's always good when you can find young, energetic,and reliable help. The build is coming along nicely. Looking forward to seeing your progress. Thanks again and keep your powder dry!
It was nice to get that last log up, my work gets somewhat lighter from here on in. Watch your top knot.
@@TheWoodlandEscape you'll be firing up that forge in no time!
Another excellent chapter and it looks like everyone earned their beef and rum ration.
The last day felt like a double ration, well at least the rum part!
Good morning from Syracuse NY USA brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your adventures in history live video
Thanks so much Earl.
I shared your videos with my friends
Un gros merci messieurs et madame. Bon congé de travail.
Merci, Maurice.
Great video! your shop is looking Awesome! there is an old saying: Many hands make lite work. Love watching you both work together in your videos. :)
Thanks, Warren, it’s coming along.
Love this channel
Thank you.
Thanks for sharing and giving us a history lesson and taking us along on the journey
Our pleasure, Kim and thanks for your support.
Interestingly, I have been in Russia and Ukraine many times and we got lumber from a mill that had the same type of saw but with 4 blades cutting boards!!! Worked very slick and rather fast! Thanks for sharing!!!
Never seen one but, I believe there called gang saws, same concept, but modern. I was in Russia in 1990 for 3 months.
Hi Peter, wow seems like you have gotten a lot done. You and Cathy are sure when heck of a team! Nice to follow you along on your projects your always an inspiration for living historians and DIY folks. By the way, Yesterday, I had a pleasantly brief conversation with a couple from London Ontario. I am just across the water from ya so we get a lot of visitors from Ontario that come across from the Soo. I will surely watch this again over a cup of coffee! See ya on the next one.
Kind words indeed, Gil. We live about 4.5 hours east of London. You sir live a beautiful part of the world.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you Peter. Beautiful indeed and lots of history too. French trappers, War of 1812 River Raisin battlefield park, Frenchtown. But a lot of folks don't know much about the battle of Brownstown. Heck, Daniel Boone was even force marched as a captive to Fort Detroit. But the winters are miserable! Take care look forward to the next.
Did you think of making a windlass to help with raising those? Haven't seen you link your blocks together for greater advantage, though I'm sure you have... Good to see you doing more! 🙂
I did actually think on a windlass but, with the exception of a couple of rather stubborn ones,they rolled up pretty easily.
Hi Peter.
That was very interesting! Loved the story about the farmer and the cow, made me laugh. That water powered sawmill is a work or art! How on earth anyone came up with the intricacies of making it do what it does in such a rudimentary way is beyond me, pure genius.
Best wishes,
Mark
Glad you enjoyed it. I too am fascinated by that mill … I can literally spend a half a day in that mill. The operators are also awesome fellows to chat with.
Peter, great progress. I love yours and Cathy's teamwork. You mentioned hauling logs to a saw mill. My great grandparents came to east central Illinois in the late 1860's. The 1st building put up was the barn, where they also lived for the first 2 years. They worked together on a two man whipsaw to cut the lumber. My grandfather and one of his brothers were born in that barn. The timbers for the frame were hand hewn with axe and adz. As a young boy I was able to visit the old Witte homestead. The barn was still in use, and in good repair.
What a great story, Craig. With your permission I’d like to use that story in an upcoming episode. I’d use your first name only.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Go for it. On that visit to the old homestead my grandmother showed me the spot down by the creek where she had a big kettle used for making wood ash hominy. I still remember her method and use it today.
Thanks, Craig. It is nice to have that family history!
Coming along and looking great.
Thanks, Linda.
Awesome build, thumbs up 👌😃👍
Thank you so much.
What about the wee bit of history? that's your thing, your shtick, integral to the channel.
Great episode, when will you start harvesting food from the garden?
Sometimes, Brandon I get too absorbed in the project and forget my wee bits of history. Funny, you should ask about produce as we’re harvesting our onion crop tomorrow.
I looked the Old Man dead in the eye yesterday when I resigned from my tree planting job of 23yrs. The end of one era and the beginning of another.
Congratulations!🐝🤗❤️
Congratulations and all the best with your future endeavors.
We have been binge watching many of the episodes while we are shelling our Rockwell beans ( a dry bean which cooks up very creamy ). So far we have shelled and dried over three gallons…. Maybe a couple more gallons and then we have beans for the winter and enough for seed next year. We trialed skunk beans ( a pole dry bean ) and next year are going to plant them in the three sisters arrangement on our Indian flour corn. Have you ever grown three sisters? We will do it with the skunk beans and with kabocha squash.
It is a wonderful feeling to put food down for the winter, particularly food you’ve grown with your own hands. I’ve not tried that variety but, it sounds delicious. Wow 5 gallons, that’s a lot of work. We’ve not tried a 3 sister garden but, we’re considering it for next year.
Very interesting indeed, the years of experience show. Of all the Log Cabins I’ve seen your log work surpasses them all for uniformity and quality of build. Your truly a inspiration.
Have you thought of adding 18th Century Cooking to the homestead? An Earthen Oven for baking? You’ve shown some and it was very interesting.
I appreciate that Roger and yes we have a outdoor beehive oven on our to do list… so many projects, so little time.
I'd bet you wish you were 6' 4" & had four strappling sons in permanent residence!! - Or 2 Cathys!!
The building looks magnificent, can't wait for the end result.
Sure earned their money in that saw mill - be great to see it working, plus the remainder of the village there.
Ironically, I do have 4 sons and of them over 6’ tall. Your spot on one more Cathy would have done the trick, heck I could have just sat back and watched.
you two are amazing. I do a little project, and I hurt for days! i salute you and your wonderful lady!!!
Thanks so much, Robert.
Just incredible😍
Thanks so much, Uriah, btw, I love your name!
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks! My mother had it picked out for years, it comes from the old Hebrew Bible, the book of Samuel. My wife and I cannot wait to see the finished blacksmith shop, you guys are an inspiration and you keep history alive. Thank you so much for the amazing knowledge you share every week!
It’s going to be a pretty nice shop Peter!
I was pretty impressed on my visit this past Monday 🙂 and came home with some wonderful ideas for my 1931 pole barn , future wood working shop🙂
I will keep an eye out for some nice old No.1 iron for you for the the fire 🔥
Glad you enjoyed your stay and glad you took away some ideas.
You get the same weather we do here in N. Michigan, only a day later. At the rate you're going, you'll have the roof on before it snows and you can fit out the inside at your leisure. The forge will keep you warm.
We do have similar weather. I’m pleased with how fast it is going up, I might just take a day off.
wow this project is coming along fast, I'm glad to hear that you had help with raising some of those heavy logs, I'm interested to see the bellows being made, the mill video at the end makes me think of a time when i worked at the local sawmill in my home town but it was not hydro powered, well i suppose it sort of was because we produce power here with water turbines but the mill was mostly all run on electric motors
I am also looking forward to the bellow project. I worked at a local mill as well, way back in the 70’s, it was powered by a big old belt driven off a Massey Ferguson tractor.
sawmill is cool
Right! I find it fascinating.
another great video. thank you
Thank you.
Wow movin right along, what a cool structure that’s gonna be!! Man I thought your wife was gonna swing over the side, she’s got some grip strength!! You might be able to take her, but I gotta feelin if you tried you’d be limpin back…. Great job guys!!!
You got that right, Daniel, Cathy can certainly hold her own and then some!
@@TheWoodlandEscape 😀
Great video. Thanks
Thanks, Mark.
We have one of those sawmills near us at the Daniel Boone Homestead here in Berks county Pennsylvania. It is very cool to see how they did it way back when. Your shop looks great!
Thank you ,it is starting to take shape.
Looking good, coming right along. If you had two more blocks you could attach those to the log being lifted. Tie your ropes off to the top of the center pole above the 2 blocks, run your rope then through the 2 blocks on the log and the back through the blocks on your center pole. It will reduce the weight by 30% guaranteed. Sorry I didn't have this advice sooner.
Your absolutely right but, I didn’t have any addition pulleys. We got it done and with the exception of a couple of stubborn ones, they rolled up pretty nice.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Sorry for pointing out the obvious Peter. Excellent job.
Not at all Jack, I really enjoy and often learn from the feedback we get from followers.
Another great video. Thank you for showing us the mill at Upper Canada Village. I really enjoy your productions down here in Mississippi USA
So we’ve made to the Deep South. Never been to Mississippi but, I understand it it quite beautiful down there. Glad you’re enjoying, John.
Where there's a will there's a way. Well done & great progress. I love those ole mills. I'm a 3rd generation sawyer myself. Check out Leonard's Mills in Bradley, Maine. I've volunteered there several times.
I will definitely do that. I’m always fascinated by water powered mills … wooden gears and cams etc. , amazing.
PARABÉNS PELO TRABALHO! ABRAÇOS AQUI DO BRASIL
Pretty cool Mill. Would enjoy seeing how the mechanism actually works. (JF)
It is amazing to see the ingenuity in all of the water powered mills at Upper Canada Village.
good job
Thanks Charlie.
The "old man" took one look at you and hightailed it back through the woods. I helped roll up a cabin when I was young and we used red pine. Is that what you're using? I've seen those old sawmills work...like a pit saw, but on a moving carriage. Great video, as usual.
Well then, you can relate. We actually used white spruce, about the same weight as red pine. Thanks for the kind words.
Kick the ol' man out.
I do that every day but the son of a gun keeps knocking at my door........lol
Great video!
There is the odd day that I have to have a serious talk with the old fellow, simply to keep him at bay!
If you put little steps on your frame you use to pull up the new logs up with, the log could sit independently. You can pull one side up to the next step, then go and move the other side up one step. Alternating all the way up. Far easier than trying to do the whole thing in one attempt.
Sound advice, Linda. The really round ones rolled right up, it was ones with little bends in that gave us trouble.
thank you for this video! Your yard becomes more and more self-reliable with all that structures.
I wonder what will be the roof made of. Have you tried to make and fire your own tiles yet?
I have not made my own tiles but, sounds interesting. Eventually I’ll over it with cedar shakes but, I’ll probably simply roll some tar paper on it until spring. I’ve got to get doing my forge before we start getting frost.
I want to be like you when I grow up. Im 31. Lolll
31, lots of living to catch up …. Enjoy the ride!
@@TheWoodlandEscape I’m doing my best! Thanks for the reply!!
Blacksmith shop is looking good. You had some good help, I see. I really like the sash you're wearing. Did you make it? Three huzzahs from Alaska.
Ive had that sash for years, I believe it was made by Wilde Weavers and I think he is still in business.
Yup, still in business …. Wilde Weavery and Trading Co.
j'adore le tricorne .... plus de tricorne s'il vous plait !!!
Thank you. It is an historically correct one for the time period. Much better than the older one I use.
Speaking of sawmills, my late husband's grandfather, who was in the first graduating class from the University of Tennessee, and was a teacher in a small school in eastern Tennessee Had a sawmill where he would work when not teaching. One day he was sawing wood by himself and was killed! He left a wife and 8 children, the 8th just a few months old. One of those children was my husband's mother. Grandma lived out the rest of her life raising those kids on that farm. She died at age 90!!
Oh my, such a tragic bit of family history . I guess most of us have had our share of tragic things in our lives but, like your husband’s grandmother, we carry on.
My maternal great-grandmother raised 8 kids by herself too. Youngest was under a year old, my grandfather the eldest at about 11. My great-grandfather died of consumption supposedly caught from a second hand cornet (he was in a brass band). This was in Queensland, between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
My grandfather was a blacksmith and wheelwright. When motor vehicles arrived in the early part of last century he taught himself how to be a mechanic and travelled the area behind the Gold Coast as a breakdown mechanic. He died in 1964, my grandmother in 1992. Two of his sisters lived to 102 and 103.
That side of my family are of German/Prussian descent.
That is so fascinating family history, Lois. Thank you so much for sharing.
👍🏴
Thank you.
Pulleys and a parbuckle. But how do the short logs by the door hold themselvs up against the big door frame ?
Each log has 3 , 10” spikes driven home. They aren’t going anywhere.
It looks like your rafters are rather long with not much pitch. Will snow load be an issue?
We certainly don’t get the winters we used to but,if the snow gets to heavy, I’ll shovel it off.
Oh, there's been a mistake. The logs dry and become lower. But the door frame does not get lower. You should have left 2-3 inches of air above the door frame for the horizontal board to lower evenly.
Good point Ron. I did actually give it some thought but, I built a very large woodshed years ago and although there was some settling it never created a real issue. Perhaps, given that both structures sit on rocks with no foundation, perhaps the frost heaving compensates wood shrinkage. Time will tell.
@@TheWoodlandEscape
Don't Let the Old Man In😆
I’m curious as to why some log cabin builds have larger spaces between the logs like yours, and other seem to be closer together? What is the difference in making those and what is the advantage/disadvantage ?
In the time period we portray, they simply did not the tools that would allow for tight fitting logs, so chinking was the order of the day. Fancier homes were hand hewn allowing for a much more consistent fit but, still required chinking.
Your moccasins look so comfortable. It's weird to say, but it kinda makes me envious of the Native Americans/frontiersmen who wore moccasins every day (instead of stiff and uncomfortable modern shoes)
Not weird at all. You’re right, they are extremely comfortable. I wear moccasins almost all the time.
@@TheWoodlandEscape are there any drawbacks to wearing moccasins? I can imagine the leather soles might not have a lot of grip
If it is really icy they are treacherous! If conditions dictate, I wrap cordage around the mid sole and that helps a lot.
I know you have already completed your blacksmith shop but I will add this comment anyway for future reference for the next log structure you build. I watched you struggle to get those logs up on your walls. There is an easier way to do that. Why don’t you use the simple three support tripod over each corner? Put a rope and pulley on the tripod and then you can hoist each end of your log up easily. This would then make it easily into a one person job. When you are done with one end of the log, move your tripod to the other end.
Love your videos. Bill H.
Sound advice Bill, thanks for sharing. Don’t know if I have another cabin in me, lol.
Have you done or can you do a video on the Sawmill that does look fascinating
Actually, if we can get permission to do a video at that historic site, I would cover not only the mill but, all the amazing workings of the village. Great idea, thanks.
@@TheWoodlandEscape 🙏🙏🙏🎚🎚🎚
Mill Creek in Mackinaw City Michigan has a similar mill, used to make timber and lumber. Well worth the trip to see.
🤠🧡💛💚💙💜
I know lady is our age, whose grandpa and 2 young sons drove 15 mile by WAGON , bought a tree for 25 cents, fell it cut it up, split it, loaded it, drove back, sold it for 1.25 profit the next day. All by hand, a wagon load.
Sounds so onerous but, that was a normal day for a lot of folk in that era. Great story, thanks for sharing.
in the words of " Fat Albert " , don't know if you know him , " Looking Good " . Cartoon character with Bill Cosby's voice .
That hat your were wearing ... does points mean something or just the style in those days ?
I like that quick video that old Old Sawmill..... I too can just sit there and stand and watch it all day long... Long time ago I used to get my wood place in New Hampshire..The saw mill he had was 150 years old ...... a place I lived in , , New Hampshire , had some wood in the barn that was 360 years old that was probably cut by a sawmill like that ,
Take care
I’m afraid I don’t know the show and as to the hat, it was a common hat in the 1700’s and early 1800’s know simply as a tricorn.