🧑‍🤝‍🧑 / 🏡 "This guy's building skills are next level. 🫡🪵🌳 "

 

[It Takes Eleven]

The proliferation of these bushcraft videos has been a popular thing. They are typically always in the winter, and they emphasize hand tools and unconventional building processes. I wonder how many holes have been dug into sides of hills before YouTubers give up, and how many structures are uninhabitable from insect infestations. If you want to use something year round and have it last, you build off the ground for a reason.

It also goes back to the "how do we get our enjoyment?" question. Watching others do things, or doing them ourselves?

 

[rick4bama]

How many Red Bull?

 

[TerryP]

It also goes back to the "how do we get our enjoyment?" question. Watching others do things, or doing them ourselves?

I enjoy watching videos like this one. It's the small things that stick out to me; like burning the end of the poles. I'm sure I've seen a thing or two I've adopted/adapted in some manner (though I can't point to something specifically.)

In another sense it's like a fictional short story on video.

I imagine this hits you a little differently with your hiking and camping with overnight experiences: shelter.

 

[TerryP]

The proliferation of these bushcraft videos has been a popular thing.

I was watching Gutfeld! and they made mention of a story about Lego's which in turn made someone mention Lincoln Logs: you remember those?

For some reason that reminded me of reading about Dick Proenneke. I can't remember where I read bits and pieces of his story. If you aren't familiar, he lived in AK for 30 years, alone, in the wilderness, in a cabin he'd built by hand.

(I couldn't remember how to spell his name. I looked it up and see YT has a :30 video. If you aren't familiar with him, might be worth the watch.)

 

[Rsedge72]

Speaking of skills.

I met a rocket scientist today. Interesting young man. He was part of the “team” that invented the bullet proof glass that is used today (can stop a 50 cal). It actually flexes when the bullet hits it. Only problem is, it is shipped/stored/protected by a plastic film. The film has to be scored (razor) to be removed. If razor scratches the glass it is no longer viable. That is the “issue” they are dealing with/working on at this time. I’m over simplifying it, im sure. Anyway long story short, he holds an interesting skill set….

 

[TerryP]

Speaking of skills.

I met a rocket scientist today. Interesting young man. He was part of the “team” that invented the bullet proof glass that is used today (can stop a 50 cal). It actually flexes when the bullet hits it. Only problem is, it is shipped/stored/protected by a plastic film. The film has to be scored (razor) to be removed. If razor scratches the glass it is no longer viable. That is the “issue” they are dealing with/working on at this time. I’m over simplifying it, im sure. Anyway long story short, he holds an interesting skill set….

Scored by hand or machine..assuming by how you wrote this, by hand. Geez, I have a hard time opening a can of cinnamon rolls.

 

[footballer]

@Reedge72. The bullet proof glass you are talking about may be something new to the market, especially since you are referencing a
"younger man" was involved in inventing it. I am familiar with "bullet resistant" glass, which has been on the market for many years. Which is practically the same as laminated windshield glass. Only much thicker. Normal windshields are made up of two pieces of thin window glass
with a tough sheet of plastic in between. Bullet resistant glass is much thicker. Normally using several sheets of 1/4 " glass with plastic between each sheet of glass. Of course, the overall thickness of the piece determines how high of a calibre bullet it will keep from penetrating it. Bullet resistant glass used to be called bullet proof. Bullet resistant glass will break like normal glass, but for the most part, impenetrable.

There is an acrylic, Lexan, that is very strong against firearms. Some people use it for protection in some retail places like convenience stores and pawn shops and in other retail shops that may be located in less than favorable neighborhoods,

 

[Rsedge72]

It’s scored by hand. My idea was to design a tool that can only score to the specific depth of the film. He raised an eyebrow and nodded. Not sure if he was like “damn why didn’t I think of that” or “dumbass you think I didn’t think of that”. He’s a little different. He’s my nieces, husbands, friend.

 

[Rsedge72]

@Reedge72. The bullet proof glass you are talking about may be something new to the market, especially since you are referencing a
"younger man" was involved in inventing it. I am familiar with "bullet resistant" glass, which has been on the market for many years. Which is practically the same as laminated windshield glass. Only much thicker. Normal windshields are made up of two pieces of thin window glass
with a tough sheet of plastic in between. Bullet resistant glass is much thicker. Normally using several sheets of 1/4 " glass with plastic between each sheet of glass. Of course, the overall thickness of the piece determines how high of a calibre bullet it will keep from penetrating it. Bullet resistant glass used to be called bullet proof. Bullet resistant glass will break like normal glass, but for the most part, impenetrable.

There is an acrylic, Lexan, that is very strong against firearms. Some people use it for protection in some retail places like convenience stores and pawn shops and in other retail shops that may be located in less than favorable neighborhoods,

Yeah it’s specific for military/govt use, I think. It’s definitely new tech. He’s the youngest in his department (around 28-30 yrs old). According to my niece, he has some serious security clearances. He’s kind of a wonder kid. The “glass” will “flex into an inverted finial”. Up to like 12-14 inches.

 

[footballer]

There was a company in Bessemer, Al, that manufactured bomb proof windows. They were in the process of installing those windows in the Pentagon when the ............... flew into it. I believe I heard that the windows they had already installed held up well.

 

[TerryP]

It also goes back to the "how do we get our enjoyment?" question. Watching others do things, or doing them ourselves?

If you were around I might throw something at you. The ol' "do it yourself" bit me in the ass yesterday: for the wrong reasons.

I moved a rose bush that is a climber and grows pretty thick. I'd had it next to the fence in the back so I could train its growth by tacking it on the privacy fence, right? So, I moved it to the front: now I need some type of trellis. (It'll grow six to seven feet this summer.)

I HATE those that look like a V. I think they just look cheap. So, after looking around I settle on this:

Retail: It's $140 plus.​

I've got the wood, everything I need to make this, okay? So, I'm working with two saws, got a knife out, cutting limbs as a cut back the bush...you get the routine. I'm fine until I decide to go inside and make lunch where I slice the hell out of my finger with a vegatable peeler. Not a damn prick from the bush, but a bleeding gusher due to hunger, lunch.

So, I go back outside to cut another of the vertical posts on my table saw. I set the 2X leaning up against the wall...it slides over and "bam," knocked the hell out of me. Now I have a grape sized knot on the back of my head; a head ache to boot. Still, nothing from anything I've done where I should have/could have hurt myself.

The day continues...I'm burying the bush in its new location. NOW it gets me with a 1" gash on my arm: one of the limbs I cut back at an angle went through my arm like a hot knife through butter.

Left forefinger...trying typing a 't,' or a 'g.' Right arm? The bandage looks like I've been in a fight with zombies. My head? Can't wear a hat; location of the knot on my head.

But, I'm doing it ALL myself!!!

Knowing my luck I'll accidentally get high off of stain fumes today (right after I spill the can.)

But I did it myself!

(BTW, you see how that is done on the top; the semi-circle. I think I can do that with my saw and some glue...just slit it, bend it, glue it.)

 

[Krimson]

If you were around I might throw something at you. The ol' "do it yourself" bit me in the ass yesterday: for the wrong reasons.

I moved a rose bush that is a climber and grows pretty thick. I'd had it next to the fence in the back so I could train its growth by tacking it on the privacy fence, right? So, I moved it to the front: now I need some type of trellis. (It'll grow six to seven feet this summer.)

I HATE those that look like a V. I think they just look cheap. So, after looking around I settle on this:

Retail: It's $140 plus.​

View attachment 30250

I've got the wood, everything I need to make this, okay? So, I'm working with two saws, got a knife out, cutting limbs as a cut back the bush...you get the routine. I'm fine until I decide to go inside and make lunch where I slice the hell out of my finger with a vegatable peeler. Not a damn prick from the bush, but a bleeding gusher due to hunger, lunch.

So, I go back outside to cut another of the vertical posts on my table saw. I set the 2X leaning up against the wall...it slides over and "bam," knocked the hell out of me. Now I have a grape sized knot on the back of my head; a head ache to boot. Still, nothing from anything I've done where I should have/could have hurt myself.

The day continues...I'm burying the bush in its new location. NOW it gets me with a 1" gash on my arm: one of the limbs I cut back at an angle went through my arm like a hot knife through butter.

Left forefinger...trying typing a 't,' or a 'g.' Right arm? The bandage looks like I've been in a fight with zombies. My head? Can't wear a hat; location of the knot on my head.

But, I'm doing it ALL myself!!!

Knowing my luck I'll accidentally get high off of stain fumes today (right after I spill the can.)

But I did it myself!

(BTW, you see how that is done on the top; the semi-circle. I think I can do that with my saw and some glue...just slit it, bend it, glue it.)

Depends on how thick that top piece is but hot soaking or steaming may let you bend it into the shape you want. Be stronger than if you cut it, fill the gap, and glue it. Looks better too.

 

[TerryP]

Depends on how thick that top piece is but hot soaking or steaming may let you bend it into the shape you want.

That's in the back of my mind. I've got the extra plywood to make a box (the only way I've seen strips steamed.) It's one of those chilly, damp mornings/days so the idea of getting into water doesn't excite me. The biggest thing I want is the lattice look with the cross pieces; the top and its design as one of the last things to do.

I saw a guy put chair rail around a curved surface/wall recently. That's what gave me the slit idea. I played around with a few cuts on some 1X1's yesterday just to get an idea. It won't carry a lot of weight so "strength" isn't a top priority.

NOW, with my finger all bandaged up...drawing a straight line might be a priority.

 

[Krimson]

That's in the back of my mind. I've got the extra plywood to make a box (the only way I've seen strips steamed.) It's one of those chilly, damp mornings/days so the idea of getting into water doesn't excite me. The biggest thing I want is the lattice look with the cross pieces; the top and its design as one of the last things to do.

I saw a guy put chair rail around a curved surface/wall recently. That's what gave me the slit idea. I played around with a few cuts on some 1X1's yesterday just to get an idea. It won't carry a lot of weight so "strength" isn't a top priority.

NOW, with my finger all bandaged up...drawing a straight line might be a priority.

Gotcha, helped a guy do some bending but he didn't steam he hot soaked. He keep the water 160 to 180 i think, below boiling for sure and let the wood sit in it for an hour or 2 and normally used jigs to form it. For the jigs he'd put a semi-circle of nails in plywood and we'd hold the hot wood to the start then start putting nails in front of it to hold it to the form. Did that for strips, he'd use a form with straps and clamps for bigger wood bends or for a bunch of strips.

 

[TerryP]

Gotcha, helped a guy do some bending but he didn't steam he hot soaked. He keep the water 160 to 180 i think, below boiling for sure and let the wood sit in it for an hour or 2 and normally used jigs to form it. For the jigs he'd put a semi-circle of nails in plywood and we'd hold the hot wood to the start then start putting nails in front of it to hold it to the form. Did that for strips, he'd use a form with straps and clamps for bigger wood bends or for a bunch of strips.

I'd sorta put something like that together in my head. I can put my hands on a tub large enough and have an idea how I could do it over the fire pit. However, that tub has stripper in it (not the live kind, unfortunately.) A friend is refinishing his parents dining room table and chairs. A CHORE! (That stuff will peel the skin out of your nose.)

I do want the top to be unique. I'm trying to avoid a "store bought" look as much as possible. The semi-circle would do the trick. The crossing pattern should separate from a plain lattice look: the weathered and stained finish will add to that 'trick.'

Dunno ...

 

[TerryP]

@Krimson it's time consuming scrolling through sites and images of what others have done ... I'm reading "A stress-free business tax season with QuickBoobs!"

 

[Krimson]

I'd sorta put something like that together in my head. I can put my hands on a tub large enough and have an idea how I could do it over the fire pit. However, that tub has stripper in it (not the live kind, unfortunately.) A friend is refinishing his parents dining room table and chairs. A CHORE! (That stuff will peel the skin out of your nose.)

I do want the top to be unique. I'm trying to avoid a "store bought" look as much as possible. The semi-circle would do the trick. The crossing pattern should separate from a plain lattice look: the weathered and stained finish will add to that 'trick.'

Dunno ...

For a one off or a piece or two he'd just draw it out on plywood then put nails in the drawing every 3 or 4 inches. I'd use screws but he was old school, built chairs and benches, stuff like that. He heated the water in half of an old hot water heater tank with coals and soak the wood. After soaking he'd start on one end holding it against the pattern nails and drive more on the opposite side to hold it in place. Amazed me as a kid someone could shape wood like that.

Not sure how long your piece needs to be but a big crawfish pot on a cooker would do a decent sized piece.

 

[alabama mike]

The dude is impressive to say the least. I wish I could do things like that we’ll.

 

[TerryP]

Not sure how long your piece needs to be but a big crawfish pot on a cooker would do a decent sized piece.

This I find funny. I've been staring at a quarter of a fire barrel for about an hour now...old drum a guy cut the top off of.