Log cabin video in Finnish

I'd really like to do that work. I love the sound of the broad axe in the video. That deep thunk thunk thunk sound is like music to me.

The first auger scene confused me because he was backing it out counter-clockwise. It looked like a reverse thread auger.

They're really skilled. They've obviously been timber framing for many years. I wish I understood the language. There's so much I'm missing. They crew must be part of a preservation society, much like our Forest Service crews do with historic buildings. It's great that these skills still exist and are being preserved.

Some of the work isn't very different from the way modern carpenters work. The shimming of the window frames is a good example.

It's just a fantastic video. Modern balloon framing lacks the artistry of historic work but is far more efficient and cost effective.
 
I've helped take down/move/rebuild a couple of old cabins when I was younger and thought it was cool work.
I couldn't even carry these guys tool belt.
This video was awesome!
I don't need to understand it...though I wish I did.
Thanks for posting!!!
 
Awesome video! Thanks for posting it.
I want one of those Finnish axes they are using for the joinery.
 
It does put one's ax skills in perspective, doesn't it. They must have prodigiously strong hands.

I think the dirt was used as insulation and ballast against frost heaving, but that's just a guess.

I think it's interesting how short-handled their axes are. I've seen the same trend in (photos, videos from) Siberia...a much shorter handle than we run on a head that looks to be north of three pounds.


"They crew must be part of a preservation society, much like our Forest Service crews do with historic buildings. It's great that these skills still exist and are being preserved."


I thought about that, too. Unfortunately the FS seems to be moving away from restoration, at least in Idaho. Several of the backcountry cabins in Idaho were completely wrapped in fire protective foil and had fire crews stationed at them last summer. I fought fire for ten years and never saw precautions like that before, so I talked to the crews. They said that the FS wouldn't allow the buildings to be rebuilt if they burnt, so protecting them was a priority.

I'm sure it has to do with the legality of wilderness and the grandfathered structures within, but it's a shame to think that once those wilderness stations are gone they won't be rebuilt, even with traditional methods.
 
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Any idea where one could obtain axes like those used in the video without going full on Granfors??
 
Love the chinkless grooving on the underside of the log (even though they are still chinking it, which is still for the better). The Vidos used the same technique (http://axeconnected.blogspot.com/2011/04/log-cabin-in-progress.html). I would like to snag a hollowing knife with a gentle curve like the one they use. The chairmakers hollowing knives seem too curved, and some of the jigger knives dont look like they have enough. These guys just used axes it seems, and Ive got a 1 3/4 inch gouge that would probably finish it up nicely, if not as effeciently.
 
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Square_peg said:
The first auger scene confused me because he was backing it out counter-clockwise. It looked like a reverse thread auger.
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I was taught by a fella who told me to back the spur out until it loses its bite into the wood, and then pull and keep turning the same way. it clears the waste out of the hole better. if you just reverse it a lot of the waste chips can dump back into the hole.
 
Now that is pure and true craftsmanship. You certainly don't see that very much in today's world. Thanks for posting much appreciated.
 
M3mphis said:
Take a look at John Neeman tools. Not cheap either tho.
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Wow, definitely expensive----Im sure those guys didnt pay 300$+ for a hand axe....cant seem to find them---maybe something only available locally? Thanks for all the help!
 
As somebody suggested, video was made by National Board of Antiquetis of Finland (museovirasto), in order to preserve old-days techniques on logbuilding. It appears that the carpenters in vid are not personnel of museovirasto, but professional carpenters who were hired to this particular project. Carpenters considered the "clean hewing" of outside surface of the logs most demanding part of the job (starting c. 12.40).

As for Finnish types of axes, I'll try to attach a link to 1928 catalogue of famous Finnish tool company Billnäs.
Catalogue is in digitized collection of National Library.

http://digi.lib.helsinki.fi/pienpai...07&pageFrame_currPage=5&pageFrame_currFrame=0
 
I had that chinkless fitting in mind when I went into an antique shop yesterday. Found a couple of things that might work, one being a really old auger that is approx 2.5 inches wide, and an old tanged gouge that is 1 3/4 inch wide. I think it cost 12 bucks for both. My thought was that you could bore to desired depth (roughly) every 12 inches or so along the length of the log, and then come through with the gouge and remove the wood between the shallow bores. Sort of a combo of the juggling process in hewing, and how timber framers cut a mortice out by boring it and then removing the wood remaining with a chisel. You could cut the whole thing with an axe like they did, but you end up with a V shape that doesnt form fit to the log below and requires more packing and chinking. An axe would probably be handy too, and the gouge could put the finished round shape on.

Man I love thinking about building cabins!
 
One of the best videos I have seen. Poetry in motion really. The unspoken communication between the craftsmen is very
inspiring.

regards Frank
 
G-pig said:
....My thought was that you could bore to desired depth (roughly) every 12 inches or so along the length of the log, and then come through with the gouge and remove the wood between the shallow bores. Sort of a combo of the juggling process in hewing, and how timber framers cut a mortice out by boring it and then removing the wood remaining with a chisel.
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I think that would work.
 
makara said:
As for Finnish types of axes, I'll try to attach a link to 1928 catalogue of famous Finnish tool company Billnäs.
Catalogue is in digitized collection of National Library.

http://digi.lib.helsinki.fi/pienpai...07&pageFrame_currPage=5&pageFrame_currFrame=0
Click to expand...

Funny thing, I was just looking at this catalog yesterday. The axe my great great great grandfather forged and my great grandfather brought with him to the U.S.A. looks very much like a piiluja pictured on page 11, probably the equivalant of a no. 25/2. I didn't see anyone in the video using anything that looked quite like it though. I really would enjoy seeing one of those in action.
 
at 12:59 he switches from right to left hand work, all good first time i've seen this technique

all good

buzz
 
Square_peg said:
I think that would work.
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I was playing with that gouge this morning. I think it would defenitely work. Maybe slightly tedious compared to a gutter adze but i bet you could get a real nice custom fit, which is what the chinkless method is all about.
 
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