I came down with a cold this morning, so I’m watching videos. This one is pretty astounding: hewing and turning a huge shaft for a mill’s water-wheel (go here to watch the foresters fell the oak and the carters haul it to the mill with a pair of draft horses – also astounding).
Back at the mill, two carpenters arrive to make the log into a shaft. With the help of the millwright and his boy, they roll the log onto a hewing frame (thanks to YouTube for helping translate – a poor option, but better than nothing).
I admire the hewing in it’s accuracy. I never did much of this work. I enjoy it, but my elbows would be aching after a short stint. I have no problem splitting logs with a sledge, but hewing is subtly different and I haven’t learned to use my body properly with it. Youth is the right time to learn, when the body is flexible enough to forgive your transgressions. Once your muscles have learned to do the work efficiently, and in a relaxed manner, you can often do heavy work like this into your old age (so long as you do it regularly). Beginning in middle age is not so easy (so I’m learning).
The weather is so cold, they warm the hewing ax over the fire to prevent its edge chipping.
“Thank God” says the head carpenter after the last stroke of the hewing hatchet on the squared blank. I think I understand.
Turning the shaft is amazing. You’ll have to see it for yourself (18:00-minute mark).
They insert the bearing into the butt (root-end) of the log, which is harder and less crack-prone. They shrink on iron bands, and then they are done (or at least the video is – attaching the wheel and mounting goes uncovered).
I’m trying to work out if they did all that work in one day. I think it’s possible, but I really don’t know. Regardless, these two videos are some of the best I’ve seen. What do you think?
Thank you, Elia, for sharing. Those videos were amazing and a treat to view. Those Germans in the videos were pretty hardy alright, besides being so skilled. Very impressive.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
This is amazing technology, without using machines to do the work. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for pointing to that video. I have watched a good number of those local history videos. Several regions have contributed traditional trades videos. One series I like a lot is called ‘ Der letzte seines Standes’ – the last one of his trade.
The one you pointed to shows so many interesting techniques, it is definitely worth watching every minute.
Regarding the scale of the project, for me, this is in the same category as the video titled ‘Der Mollenhauer’
( The maker of large wooden tubs out of one piece of wood)
Alfred