CAERNARFON CASTLE , A stonemasons commentary (Mike Haduck)

I visited Caernarfon Castle, Wales, UK. and did a commentary on how the castle was built, I interviewed some stone masons using Lime mortar. and gave opinions on how Caernarfon Castle was built. • My RV - (EP 14) Caerna...

[@erinclow]

Mike, I'm a 38 year old woman and I absolutely love your videos. You are giving people such a gift of your knowledge. How incredibly selfless. Thank you!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Erin, I Appreciate the kind words, my

[@landleven1088]

Your videos are really good. No alien technology, but human ingenuity.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Landt, I appreciate it, mike

[@mrkrasker9609]

Hello Mike, at some point could you talk about Lime mortar and how it was made, used in the construction of ancient buildings.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Mr Krasker, it is probably on of my weakest things in masonry, I only see some old timers use it when adding to portland, but for the most it is never used here, everyone went to mortar and portland and fast drying, and I really don't have much experience using it , just seeing what happend to it over time and the past, but it would make a good video, thanks mike

[@pensive69]

www.stastier.co.uk/articles/preserving-heritage.htm is a short and concise reference.

[@mrkrasker9609]

pensive69, Thanks mate I'll give it read. Cheers

[@SplendoursVale]

Thank you Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Andrew, I appreciate it Mike

[@FireplacesRock]

Thank You for sharing Mike , this would be a Great trip!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jaime, Another Avenue, because I think you could only make so many masonry videos,before there’s nothing else to say, Thanks Mike

[@Illtakewhatsleft]

Thank you for taking the time to make another great video.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thank you, I appreciate it, Mike

[@Brian-Burke]

Very interesting video, Mike. I really enjoy the commentaries at the end of your videos because they really help me understand your work just a little more. Thanks for posting.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brian, I appreciate it Mike

[@fabiocambui3879]

Wonderful construction!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Fabio, it was fun to visit, Mike

[@tangle70]

Been to this castle. Found it fascinating. Wales is such a lovely place.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tom, yep. To go back in history to see it being built would have been something, thanks, mike

[@guitarjoel717]

Thank you for another great video Mike, I’ve watched all your videos at least two or three times now, and I always learn something new each time, I appreciate your taking the time to make all these videos, they are treasure troves of information and you do a great job explaining everything you’ve learned from your lifetime of experience. Thank you.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Joel, I appreciate that, it gives me the confidence, to keep going, thanks Mike

[@dan1strike]

Great Video Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Daniel, I appreciate it, Mike

[@Jim-me9oo]

Mike, Thank you for all the tremendous amount of information that you so generously share ! I live in Coudersport, Pa so I feel your material usage is very relevant to my needs. After studying your videos I tuck pointed 1 brick chimney, and totally rebuilt another saving me $3,900. I could not have done this without you, THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jim, I am always glad to hear that, that’s with the videos are all about, I appreciate it, Mike

[@suep4530]

very interesting! love the old buildings and how they last so long.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Sue, Mike

[@zzinnia]

These videos are great. Thank you!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks sue, I appreciate it, Mike

[@timdarmetko4039]

another awesome Welsh video !!! we are loving these. makes us miss wales

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tim, Great place, Mike

[@bufobufo8199]

Welsh viewer here. Cymru am byth! Im glad you toured this castle.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Luscious, it was great, and the “real thing “ as far as castles are concerned, what a rich heritage to have in your backyard, nothing like that here in USA, only copies , thanks mike

[@f0rumrr]

You are crazy man, fucking around with stones and sorting them in flip flops. I love it.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I hate looking so official, and try to keep it simple, They try to make masonry so complicated, thanks for the comment I appreciate it, Mike

[@maddog8148]

Mike you really travel!! God bless. You are amazing!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Maddog, I try to get out and see some of the things I never got to see, thanks Mike

[@mmnyr7252]

Sir, wanted to thank you for your informative videos. I see concrete and stone work quite differently now thanks to you. Great work here, love the videos and educational information.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike, I appreciate the kind words, Mike

[@callmesnake3785]

Thanks Mike, keeping traditions alive and out there is essential

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Kessler, mike

[@wayneferree5053]

very enjoyable to watch

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Wayne, Mike

[@doloresm7396]

Amazing castles, leaves me in awe of the work they day way back when. If we get out of this mess hoping to go to Edinburgh Castle in the UK. Trying to get back to my Scottish roots. Also, Fettercairn House which originally belonged to the Middleton's. Fingers crossed I can get there in 2022.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Dolores, I been hoping to go to Rome, keeping my fingers crossed, lots of old stonework there, Mike

[@simonmcnicholas]

Nice one Mike 👍🏻

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Gil, I appreciate it, Mike

[@danielsmithson4870]

Here's a book you'd enjoy, 'Robert Smythson & The Elizabethan Country House' by Mark Girouard, 1983, Yale University Press, New Haven & London. Robert was a stone mason in 1600 and helped or did the designing, too, for example, "Hardwick Hall known for more glass than wall.". His son, John Smithson (known as an architect) worked with him on Bolsover, the little castle, that felt was if not merely immodest, a semblance of a bordello. They're in the book.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Daniel, I will have to look it up, thanks Mike

[@erictimmons6031]

Hi Mike, I'm also a mason, and I love your videos, thank you, keep making them please!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Eric, I appreciate hearing that from a professional, thank you Mike

[@hrxy1]

Good idea to have a more indepth look at an earlier vid. Really enjoyed info shared and yr manner when talking to the welsh masons. Northumberland has some well preserved castles too.

[@MikeHaduck]

hi hrxy1. , It was very fortunate for me to talk to the Welsh Mason’s, and I learned a lot, and appreciate there input. I always considered United Kingdom to have the greatest influence To the modern world, heck that’s why the whole world speaks English, I appreciate it, thanks Mike

[@ibins4474]

Great Video!! Sometimes you must come to Austria to see our beautiful Old Building. ( the old Vienna and ........) Lg Michael

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi I Bins, My grandparents On my father side were from there, so Some day I I shall, Thanks Mike

[@colroulette9337]

Thanks so much Mike!!! I did my share of tuckpointing in the day never a castle lol.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks col o,Mara, I appreciate it , mike

[@davewilson3897]

Thanks Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thank you, mike

[@daveyboy8907]

Very interesting... Thanks

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Davey, I appreciate it, and Mike

[@mammothwallace6133]

God bless you mike glad your out there enjoying the world i always wamted ya to do a castle vid never thought of it till now mason s unite

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mammoth, it’s true, I wish we all had the opportunity to visit them, thanks Mike

[@LiamDuffProductions]

Mammoth if all masons united... Like, all at the same time? It’d be just like uniting all the worlds biker gangs. It’d be a bloodbath. An orgy of retards insulting each other. Masons unite! WTF

[@elleryjqueen1712]

Wow Im glad you enjoyed the uk, Would have loved to have bought you a beer. All the best from a uk fan.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Elbert, Great country, and I would have bought you a beer too, thanks Mike

[@PlantagenetRose]

My ancestor, King Edward The First, commissioned that castle after he conquered Gwynedd.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Chimney, lots of history there, mike

[@patrickmurray2220]

Great job Mike really well explained. You can't beat stone work. I wonder will today's buildings be as good to look at in the future

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Patrick, I think there will be very few buildings they build now that will last, nice to see the castles, the real thing, thanks Mike

[@pensive69]

incredibly interesting for me as i haven't the scope of travel you have Mike.
in the quarry and rock selection parts you wore toe less sandals.
i'd never get out of a broken rock strewn field without injured toes.
you are either very lucky or just plain surefooted.
i'd have to reconsider my technique to properly use lime mortar.
it's such a different science.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi pensive, i’m right with you there, I can’t even remember ever using Lime or only lime, That was a bit before me, just mortar Portland and fast drying, thanks Mike

[@vermilion3419]

mike i love your work attire

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Vermilion, I don’t know if it’s because I’m a slave to fashion, or I think a lot of the experts with their helmets and clipboards don’t have that much experience, and it is a no big deal statement, I don’t really know, Lol thanks ,mike

[@daveylad2]

Hey Mike next time your in the UK would you consider coming to see us in the Isle of Man? We have a couple of ancient Castles, old lime kilns and other masonry stuff you might find interesting .
Great vids keep them coming.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks David, I appreciate that and will keep it in mind, mike

[@zaidhussain3658]

thanks mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks zaid, I appreciate it, Mike

[@Alhamdulillahist]

Hello Mr Haduck, I really enjoy this type of video! Have you ever had the chance to visit Peru? The old Inca architecture has some pretty spectacular uses of oddly shaped field stones. I can highly recommend Cuzco for someone interested in masonry.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Alham, actually my brother and are planning a trip there , thanks , mike

[@Alhamdulillahist]

@@MikeHaduck looking foward to the video, if you decide to make one!

[@8bitfarmer900]

Excellent video! Thanks for your book recommendation. You mentioned another book in an older video modern practical masonry I picked up a copy and really love it. Any other book recommendations? I just picked up Stone by Design: The Artistry of Lew French it shows his works and I think you may enjoy it. Cheers!

[@MikeHaduck]

hi 8bit, I looked it up on Google, and the guy sure does have a good eye, Yes it’s a fine book thanks for the input, Mike

[@patrickday4206]

Looking at the castles all over England and Ireland they must have had groups of stone Mansons that traveled around probably got room and board and some money. And the locals did repairs and smaller projects.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks

[@johncasor9698]

what about a in ground 15 K swimming pool repair on steps ??? i just drained out 50% of water and did a cement repair with everyday portland & sand mix, i did add water to old surface so it will stick, and did a great job on the finish i also added a charcoal color mix to match black bottom color, now will this be fine with it under water forever ???

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi John, Nothings forever, and a patch is a patch, but I repaired showing pools and used Portland and sand, and never had a problem, I hope it works out for you, thanks Mike

[@gedelgo3242]

It's interesting that the masons maintaining this castle need to strike a balance between repair and keeping the aged character. If they completely patched and refinished the whole thing it would feel cheap like a theme park.
Have you been to the roman colosseum? In the 1800s there was a repair done that looks oddly modern but it's old enough to be historical in its own right now.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi, lots of old buildings been redone several times, time takes its toll foe sure, thanks Mike

[@smasica]

There must have been quite a bit of wood construction along with the stone work when the castle was first built and occupied. I noticed a lot of pockets in the walls where floor joists/timbers would fit. There must have been hundreds of rooms in the castle. It would be quite a sight to see how it looked new with the exterior whitewashed and the timber work thatched.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Tremolux, I agree, it would’ve been a sight to see, just sitting there looking around and imagining what it was like back then, stonemasons dream, thanks Mike

[@smasica]

@Cymro 65 Thanks for the information. Interesting history. Ever since childhood, I've always imagined going to the UK and visiting all the castles and snooping around inside.

[@soa324]

Hi Mike, Did you visit Caerphilly Castle?

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Richard, I did not, I just was in and out, I wish I could stay a month but it is all about the money and time, someday, I hope, thanks mike

[@johncroasmun4129]

really liked your bible verse .prety cool

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, Mike

[@LiamDuffProductions]

You know what!? Fuck the internet.. I like your videos Mr.Haduck.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Liam, I appreciate it, Mike

[@oreocarlton3343]

I would like to work for you, I really like your work ethics

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Oreo, I appreciate the kind words, thanks Mike

[@mammothwallace6133]

Go to peru next macho picho

[@MikeHaduck]

Hey mammoth, Me and my brother been talking about that, thanks Mike

[@user-wn6dd2dz2g]

🧱🪨

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@anticriminal777]

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@dorianleakey]

Not sure if you know about this place- www.guedelon.fr/en/ its a castle they are building using only medieval techniques, if you come back to Europe, i would go there.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Dorian, yes I watched it on tv, I appreciate it, mike

[@DJMovit]

Very interesting! Never knew that. Funny, I always hated European history when I was in school now I find it interesting.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi DJMovit, I find it interesting too, especially being there to see it, I consider those castles from the middle ages the real thing, thanks Mike

[@corindoyle]

Mineral deposits not effloressence. Effloressence is one of many mineral deposits.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I did a video called" Efflorescence, what is it, mike haduck, I appreciate it, mike

[@SuperDd40]

Aliens must have built it.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Super, mike

[@alganhar1]

*sigh* No one ever gets the pronunciation correct. The Welsh Alphabet is NOT the same as the English. F in Welsh is pronounced like the V in English, the F sound in Welsh is FF. So it is Caernarvon, not Caernarfon. The Y in Conwy is pronounced like a short I as in Pin, so it is Conooi.... W in Welsh is a vowel, not a consonant, in the case of Conwy it is the short form, so as in book. Y is usually a vowel, but can also be used as a consonant, unlike in English where it is usually a consonant but can be used as a vowel...
Saying that, anyone from abroad being able to appreciate the 'Ring of Iron' is a good thing in my book. Having just found this channel I am now curious to find if you looked at Harlech and Beaumauris, probably the finest of the castles Edward I built in Wales, though Flint is probably the most unusual....
EDIT: Oh, and as an addition, at fairly regular intervals large face stones were placed end ways, so that the bulk of the stone projected into the junk in the middle of the wall. Kind of like placing modern bricks end on into the cavity of a house at regular intervals these days. I doubt they knew the science of it, instead discovering it accidentally, but those stones helped dissapate force from seige engines into the looser rubble filling that was more able to spread that force out and stopped the face stones cracking or breaking so quickly.
As I said, I suspect they found this out by accident, but it is commonly used in castle walls but because these particular stones were not placed in close proximity they are often difficult to see unless a break in the wall happens to occur where one of them happens to be.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@robbojohnson5759]

thats so funny an american traying telling a welsh man how to bild with stone ha ha ha the welsh bilt 90 percent of england

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi ribbo, actually I have a lot of respect for the Welsh, some of the best builders in the world, thanks, Mike

[@robbojohnson5759]

@@MikeHaduck robbo