[stefang]

-

Well it's time to once again reveal my ignorance about ancient bucket making. Today I went out to the shop armed with some new knowledge about splitting willow branches, thanks to a link on willow splitting posted to me by Debbie.

I managed to almost perfectly split a willow branch with the new found info. If at first you don't succeed…....... In spite of this new found skill I still had mishaps that prevented me from making a good binding, but…..I did learn how to correctly cut the joints where the bindings hook together. A major learning point and another step towards success and mastering this archaic skill.

Today's subject is how to cut the band joints. Our forefathers were very clever and cunning in coming up with this joint. Not only does it work well, it is also a little hard to figure out, thereby eliminating competitors. However, having the advantage of various unclear drawings, several failed joints and a lot of luck, I have finally figured out how to do it. Those of you who are more gifted (have brains) won't have any problems with this joint.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so the photo below shows the joint on one end. What the photo cannot convey is that the we are looking at the inside of the band. I have thinned out behind the cutout (to the left) and cut a shallow diagonal in toward the hook. The tip of the hook on the edge is slanted slightly towards the cut. It is cut this way in order to retain strength in the band while giving a positive and strong joint. Think of the diagonal cut as thinning the inside of the band from the top inside of the band and down to the bottom of the cut out hook.

The next photo shows both ends of the band each with their own hook, how they will be engaged, and how the ends of the band will be tucked away behind the outside of the band.

Here you see how the hooks go together. The ends beyond the hooks have to be thinned out so they fit snugly behind the main band and are invisible. I found that for me it easy to thin out the ends after hooking them together while the pieces to be thinned are supported by the main band.

This is how they look from the inside with everything in place. the end on left is carved too short. They should both be like the end on the right.

The next picture show what the joint should look like on the outside when finished.

Clear a mud? This is difficult to explain, but if you don't understand my description please let me know and I will try to come up with a better explanation. I managed to learn this through pictures in my book and some trial and error.

It's probably a good idea to make a practice band and try making the joints a number of times. Just cut off the failed ones and keep trying until you get it right or run out of band.

Some of you asked to see the band lever being used. the first photo is the bucket with the first band installed. I thought I did it wrong to start with, but it seems really good now. It dried up a bit overnight and shrank, and it is now so tight I can't move it at all. So I decided to just keep it.

And lastly using the band lever. This worked perfect, How ever the band I'm putting on was already botched at the joint, so this was just to show the lever in action.

I hope the above will

I won't be in the shop for a day or two, so I will have to continue with the banding as soon as I am able. Meanwhile I hope this will give you enough to think about for now. I am aiming at two bands at the top and two at the bottom.

Thanks Swirt. I just took a look at your home page and I see I have missed all your great posts. I especially liked the folding chisel holder. I've been thinking about something better for my carving chisels than the tool roll I now use, and the folding holder would be perfect to just fold near my carving projects. I also liked your very unique mini-lathe. I don't need one, but I thought it could be quite useful to someone without a lathe. Great for kids too.

 

[daltxguy]

-

Well it's time to once again reveal my ignorance about ancient bucket making. Today I went out to the shop armed with some new knowledge about splitting willow branches, thanks to a link on willow splitting posted to me by Debbie.

I managed to almost perfectly split a willow branch with the new found info. If at first you don't succeed…....... In spite of this new found skill I still had mishaps that prevented me from making a good binding, but…..I did learn how to correctly cut the joints where the bindings hook together. A major learning point and another step towards success and mastering this archaic skill.

Today's subject is how to cut the band joints. Our forefathers were very clever and cunning in coming up with this joint. Not only does it work well, it is also a little hard to figure out, thereby eliminating competitors. However, having the advantage of various unclear drawings, several failed joints and a lot of luck, I have finally figured out how to do it. Those of you who are more gifted (have brains) won't have any problems with this joint.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so the photo below shows the joint on one end. What the photo cannot convey is that the we are looking at the inside of the band. I have thinned out behind the cutout (to the left) and cut a shallow diagonal in toward the hook. The tip of the hook on the edge is slanted slightly towards the cut. It is cut this way in order to retain strength in the band while giving a positive and strong joint. Think of the diagonal cut as thinning the inside of the band from the top inside of the band and down to the bottom of the cut out hook.

The next photo shows both ends of the band each with their own hook, how they will be engaged, and how the ends of the band will be tucked away behind the outside of the band.

Here you see how the hooks go together. The ends beyond the hooks have to be thinned out so they fit snugly behind the main band and are invisible. I found that for me it easy to thin out the ends after hooking them together while the pieces to be thinned are supported by the main band.

This is how they look from the inside with everything in place. the end on left is carved too short. They should both be like the end on the right.

The next picture show what the joint should look like on the outside when finished.

Clear a mud? This is difficult to explain, but if you don't understand my description please let me know and I will try to come up with a better explanation. I managed to learn this through pictures in my book and some trial and error.

It's probably a good idea to make a practice band and try making the joints a number of times. Just cut off the failed ones and keep trying until you get it right or run out of band.

Some of you asked to see the band lever being used. the first photo is the bucket with the first band installed. I thought I did it wrong to start with, but it seems really good now. It dried up a bit overnight and shrank, and it is now so tight I can't move it at all. So I decided to just keep it.

And lastly using the band lever. This worked perfect, How ever the band I'm putting on was already botched at the joint, so this was just to show the lever in action.

I hope the above will

I won't be in the shop for a day or two, so I will have to continue with the banding as soon as I am able. Meanwhile I hope this will give you enough to think about for now. I am aiming at two bands at the top and two at the bottom.

Here is an excellent demonstration of how to split coppiced hazel for the making of a traditional hurdle ( which were used for fencing stock). The split hazel is used to weave between upright 'sails' forming a large flat panel.

 

[stefang]

-

Well it's time to once again reveal my ignorance about ancient bucket making. Today I went out to the shop armed with some new knowledge about splitting willow branches, thanks to a link on willow splitting posted to me by Debbie.

I managed to almost perfectly split a willow branch with the new found info. If at first you don't succeed…....... In spite of this new found skill I still had mishaps that prevented me from making a good binding, but…..I did learn how to correctly cut the joints where the bindings hook together. A major learning point and another step towards success and mastering this archaic skill.

Today's subject is how to cut the band joints. Our forefathers were very clever and cunning in coming up with this joint. Not only does it work well, it is also a little hard to figure out, thereby eliminating competitors. However, having the advantage of various unclear drawings, several failed joints and a lot of luck, I have finally figured out how to do it. Those of you who are more gifted (have brains) won't have any problems with this joint.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so the photo below shows the joint on one end. What the photo cannot convey is that the we are looking at the inside of the band. I have thinned out behind the cutout (to the left) and cut a shallow diagonal in toward the hook. The tip of the hook on the edge is slanted slightly towards the cut. It is cut this way in order to retain strength in the band while giving a positive and strong joint. Think of the diagonal cut as thinning the inside of the band from the top inside of the band and down to the bottom of the cut out hook.

The next photo shows both ends of the band each with their own hook, how they will be engaged, and how the ends of the band will be tucked away behind the outside of the band.

Here you see how the hooks go together. The ends beyond the hooks have to be thinned out so they fit snugly behind the main band and are invisible. I found that for me it easy to thin out the ends after hooking them together while the pieces to be thinned are supported by the main band.

This is how they look from the inside with everything in place. the end on left is carved too short. They should both be like the end on the right.

The next picture show what the joint should look like on the outside when finished.

Clear a mud? This is difficult to explain, but if you don't understand my description please let me know and I will try to come up with a better explanation. I managed to learn this through pictures in my book and some trial and error.

It's probably a good idea to make a practice band and try making the joints a number of times. Just cut off the failed ones and keep trying until you get it right or run out of band.

Some of you asked to see the band lever being used. the first photo is the bucket with the first band installed. I thought I did it wrong to start with, but it seems really good now. It dried up a bit overnight and shrank, and it is now so tight I can't move it at all. So I decided to just keep it.

And lastly using the band lever. This worked perfect, How ever the band I'm putting on was already botched at the joint, so this was just to show the lever in action.

I hope the above will

I won't be in the shop for a day or two, so I will have to continue with the banding as soon as I am able. Meanwhile I hope this will give you enough to think about for now. I am aiming at two bands at the top and two at the bottom.

Thanks for the video Steve. I have been using my knife like he did at the start. Maybe I can clamp a sharpened piece of oak in my workbench to complete the split like in the video. My problem with these can of course also be that the limbs I'm trying to split aren't completely suitable. I will keep trying until I succeed though. I don't want to lose my 'Master' title endowed me by Mads.

 

[Roz]

-

Well it's time to once again reveal my ignorance about ancient bucket making. Today I went out to the shop armed with some new knowledge about splitting willow branches, thanks to a link on willow splitting posted to me by Debbie.

I managed to almost perfectly split a willow branch with the new found info. If at first you don't succeed…....... In spite of this new found skill I still had mishaps that prevented me from making a good binding, but…..I did learn how to correctly cut the joints where the bindings hook together. A major learning point and another step towards success and mastering this archaic skill.

Today's subject is how to cut the band joints. Our forefathers were very clever and cunning in coming up with this joint. Not only does it work well, it is also a little hard to figure out, thereby eliminating competitors. However, having the advantage of various unclear drawings, several failed joints and a lot of luck, I have finally figured out how to do it. Those of you who are more gifted (have brains) won't have any problems with this joint.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so the photo below shows the joint on one end. What the photo cannot convey is that the we are looking at the inside of the band. I have thinned out behind the cutout (to the left) and cut a shallow diagonal in toward the hook. The tip of the hook on the edge is slanted slightly towards the cut. It is cut this way in order to retain strength in the band while giving a positive and strong joint. Think of the diagonal cut as thinning the inside of the band from the top inside of the band and down to the bottom of the cut out hook.

The next photo shows both ends of the band each with their own hook, how they will be engaged, and how the ends of the band will be tucked away behind the outside of the band.

Here you see how the hooks go together. The ends beyond the hooks have to be thinned out so they fit snugly behind the main band and are invisible. I found that for me it easy to thin out the ends after hooking them together while the pieces to be thinned are supported by the main band.

This is how they look from the inside with everything in place. the end on left is carved too short. They should both be like the end on the right.

The next picture show what the joint should look like on the outside when finished.

Clear a mud? This is difficult to explain, but if you don't understand my description please let me know and I will try to come up with a better explanation. I managed to learn this through pictures in my book and some trial and error.

It's probably a good idea to make a practice band and try making the joints a number of times. Just cut off the failed ones and keep trying until you get it right or run out of band.

Some of you asked to see the band lever being used. the first photo is the bucket with the first band installed. I thought I did it wrong to start with, but it seems really good now. It dried up a bit overnight and shrank, and it is now so tight I can't move it at all. So I decided to just keep it.

And lastly using the band lever. This worked perfect, How ever the band I'm putting on was already botched at the joint, so this was just to show the lever in action.

I hope the above will

I won't be in the shop for a day or two, so I will have to continue with the banding as soon as I am able. Meanwhile I hope this will give you enough to think about for now. I am aiming at two bands at the top and two at the bottom.

The bucket is really looking great. Even though I am not building a bucket with you I have learned a great deal by watching your progress. The video From Steve is great. I saw those in England on several visits but did not know how they were made. I have the Farmers knife but did not know how it was traditionally used…. great stuff!

 

[stefang]

-

Well it's time to once again reveal my ignorance about ancient bucket making. Today I went out to the shop armed with some new knowledge about splitting willow branches, thanks to a link on willow splitting posted to me by Debbie.

I managed to almost perfectly split a willow branch with the new found info. If at first you don't succeed…....... In spite of this new found skill I still had mishaps that prevented me from making a good binding, but…..I did learn how to correctly cut the joints where the bindings hook together. A major learning point and another step towards success and mastering this archaic skill.

Today's subject is how to cut the band joints. Our forefathers were very clever and cunning in coming up with this joint. Not only does it work well, it is also a little hard to figure out, thereby eliminating competitors. However, having the advantage of various unclear drawings, several failed joints and a lot of luck, I have finally figured out how to do it. Those of you who are more gifted (have brains) won't have any problems with this joint.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words so the photo below shows the joint on one end. What the photo cannot convey is that the we are looking at the inside of the band. I have thinned out behind the cutout (to the left) and cut a shallow diagonal in toward the hook. The tip of the hook on the edge is slanted slightly towards the cut. It is cut this way in order to retain strength in the band while giving a positive and strong joint. Think of the diagonal cut as thinning the inside of the band from the top inside of the band and down to the bottom of the cut out hook.

The next photo shows both ends of the band each with their own hook, how they will be engaged, and how the ends of the band will be tucked away behind the outside of the band.

Here you see how the hooks go together. The ends beyond the hooks have to be thinned out so they fit snugly behind the main band and are invisible. I found that for me it easy to thin out the ends after hooking them together while the pieces to be thinned are supported by the main band.

This is how they look from the inside with everything in place. the end on left is carved too short. They should both be like the end on the right.

The next picture show what the joint should look like on the outside when finished.

Clear a mud? This is difficult to explain, but if you don't understand my description please let me know and I will try to come up with a better explanation. I managed to learn this through pictures in my book and some trial and error.

It's probably a good idea to make a practice band and try making the joints a number of times. Just cut off the failed ones and keep trying until you get it right or run out of band.

Some of you asked to see the band lever being used. the first photo is the bucket with the first band installed. I thought I did it wrong to start with, but it seems really good now. It dried up a bit overnight and shrank, and it is now so tight I can't move it at all. So I decided to just keep it.

And lastly using the band lever. This worked perfect, How ever the band I'm putting on was already botched at the joint, so this was just to show the lever in action.

I hope the above will

I won't be in the shop for a day or two, so I will have to continue with the banding as soon as I am able. Meanwhile I hope this will give you enough to think about for now. I am aiming at two bands at the top and two at the bottom.

Yes, that was a great video Terry. I wondered what that knife was called. I was a little surprised he didn't use a 'froe', which is normally used to split spokes from logs, but maybe that has too thick a blade for splitting branches.

 

[stefang]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

 

[patron]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

i was cleaning the yard the other day
all the plastic and plastic buckets
were deteriorating
and breaking into little brittle pieces

yours may be the only bucket to survive this modern time

 

[stefang]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

True David. I'm sure it will be in my family's possession, and in the not too distant future a great grandson will say "See, these are the kind of buckets they used when my great grandfather was alive".

It's good to hear from you. How is your workshop project coming along? If I were in the States I would come out and help you build it. I love those kind of projects (although my back has a different opinion these days).

 

[patron]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

mine to mike
but the best remedy seems to be to ignore it
it's cheaper than the doctors here
they don't do a thing
but charge high prices

i use the saving to buy wood

 

[daltxguy]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

I don't wish to see an end to this project….
Thanks for the diagram. That helps to visualize it in a different way.
Just think, since it is heading towards spring there, your willow should be very supple and easy to split and debark, so time may be in your favor.

I am glad I am not having those nightmares…yet.

 

[superdav721]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Mike the drawing is much better. The grain shows the story.
It looks like half a dovetail.

 

[mafe]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Hi Mike,
Suffocating under a mountain of willow bark, my God as if the snow was not enough.
Hope I will not be dreaming that I'm under a mountain of Popular Woodworking Magazine, lol.
I think we need more some time travel back to ask for help.
It's a really nice drawing, but I fear much more to be dividing those branches of mine now…
Best of my thoughts,
Mads

 

[Dennisgrosen]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Okay you winners lets travel back in time …. what periode shuold it bee lady´s and gentlemen
before the fire you say ….. are you mad …. there is no woodworking except maybee
a natural club
what ells can you come op with ? in the waiting time

Dennis

 

[stefang]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

David We have socialized medicine here (free), but they never seem able cure anything either. At least we don't have to pay for the lack of results. I have the same philosophy as you, I just ignore it and work until all I can see is my shoes, then I hit my Lazyboy chair.

Steve Makes me feel good that you are enjoying the project. If I run out of willow branches I still have a Mountain Ash tree in the garden. After seeing the video on hurdle making I also read in my lagging book that Hazel is also a good binding material among others. Small world.

Dave It does have a slanted hook. Maybe a half-lap dovetail.

Mads I doubt you will experience the problems I've encountered. I am a guru of the learning through error method, but I don't have many followers.

Dennis We could start a club club and call it Lumberclubs. The meetings would be….............interesting.

 

[Dennisgrosen]

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Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

yah that wuold be very interesting speciel if we landed next to a Mamut with clubs in hand …... LOL

I don´t think its bad to have the bucket set up as in the picture for a while and settle a little before
you add the last willow rings

now I will see if I can come to the shop to today I was a little chocked yesterday not have seen or heard
anything the hole day before I loggen in and did see your post about Japan and now they seems to have to deal with a meltdown too we just have to hope they can do something with it so we don´t get a new tjernobyl

take care
Dennis

 

[Clung]

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Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

I too am suffering under a pile of willow bark, taking another go at it today. The splitting seems to work well for me, it's a matter of pressure as to which hand pulls the split apart. But the joint and bending still have me struggling - lots of splits and breaks. I soaked some overnight and may try steaming today. Thanks for the drawings and instruction - hopefully eventually I'll figure it out! Oh and your scenic snow pictures - that's been my view for the last six months!

 

[stefang]

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Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Hi Clarence. I'm sorry the poblem you're having with the branches. However, I haven't had any problem with the bending part so far, but I have messed quite a few up while cutting the joints.

However, I think I have the jointing down pretty well now, but I've run out of branches. I'm going to try and get some new ones today. I hope your willow branches are cut fresh and not all dried out.

I found that the secret to the bending is to plane each half down to an even thickness and to try and keep any outgrowth knots (shoots) oriented on the edges as much as possible. this will prevent breakage at those positions later while you work it around the post. I probably forgot to mention this in my blog.

As you can see from the blogs I first planed down the half round to get rid of the pith and the groove and the groove the pith sits in. Then I checked the profile to find any thick spots. I then thinned these with my camp knife to get an overall even thickness.

I started the softening process with just one short end with my one hand choked up on the long end to make a small loop. I worked this carefully at first. I could feel that there were still some thick areas, and I thinned these out as I went, using my camp knife.

As the sections of the band became softer, I worked the area more vigorously until they became supple, then I lengthened the loop gradually as I worked it back and forth against the post until the whole length had been worked and the band could then be bent without the danger of breaking.

I thought beforehand that the banding would be the most difficult part to master. I also thing it adds the most to the project, so it is a skill well worth learning. I am just going to continue until I've learned all the little details necessary to get a good band. I think I'm close. I have set to properly split a band properly, but that's not a big problem, as I can afford to waste the bad half. I expect that I can produce a good band now after having learned the joiniting. I just need some branches to finish . I hope this above explanations will help you with your struggle. Good luck!

 

[Clung]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Thanks for the ideas stefang - I wasn't planing them down - just working them as they split. That makes a lot of sense, as they were uneven and the different thicknesses were causing grief. Rereading your blog 22 shows me my mistake - I must have missed that part or forgotten it! The willow is fresh cut, although we are still weeks away from any buds. But I'll keep at it - I want to get it right! Thanks again!

 

[TopamaxSurvivor]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Mike, I have been following the trials and tribulations here with the willows. I am a bit behind. I think I will slightly taper the staves to add a bit of style, then skip the binding. That will leave a lot more area for my mom to rosemall. Is that a cop out or what?

 

[stefang]

-

Another short update from Mike's inferno. I never was a math whiz and I still have problems dividing those darned willow branches. Maybe numbers are easier to work with after all.

I ran out of willow branches, having destroyed all but the one I successfully installed. I would harvest some more branches, but we still have a lot of snow and in fact it's snowing pretty heavily right now. I know you aren't reading this blog to get a weather report from Norway, but I need an excuse for the bucket delay. I had a nightmare last night that I was suffocating under a mountain of willow bark!

I thought that since the bucket building is in WOW status (don't get excited, it means waiting on weather). I could show you a nice drawing of how the banding joint should be cut. I know you get it, but just in case someone doesn't, the rounded lines represent where the carving is. Looks easy huh? After you ace this the first time you will understand why I consider myself challenged in the world of woodworking. I am much more clever with money, mainly in the area of spending it.

I was thinking it might be amusing to bury one of these buckets in a peat bog and when it's found a 1,000 years from now and carbon dated to 2011, some fantasts will claim that the Vikings had mastered the art of time travel!

Well, I've run out of corn for today, so have a pleasant day wherever you are and try to remain patient. There will be an end to this project, .......................eventually.

Hi Bob. If you taper the stave's the bucket will of course have a wider bottom or top depending on which end you taper. No, I don't think leaving out the banding is a cop-out. I am guessing you will be gluing the stave's then. I'm glad that you have shown an interest in the project and are making the bucket in a way that pleases you. This project is for learning some ancient skills in the name of enjoyment. How you choose to do it is entirely up to you. Just glad you are participating.