We have several tool giveaways happening this month - check Instagram for details bit.ly/EC_Insta Thank you all for watching and for the support and feedback 👍🔨🙏
I love the jobsite when I have someone older and more experienced and theyre a patient but not too patient person and the comrodery is there after you start to get to know one another and your learning at the same time your getting it accomplished. Anyways I wish I had a mentor like this guy. Keep up the amazing life. You are good at
EC, I am a 19 year old formwork carpenter from South Africa and I live and work in Newcastle NSW Australia. I’ve been a fan of yours for a long time and I’ve read and watched almost all of the amazing content in your videos and comments. The message I would like to convey is that your fundamentals and wisdom transcends boarders and I have found that whilst methods and building codes may vary country to country the values, lessons as well as the ethics and attitudes you reinforce are universal to all of us in the big wide world no matter where the job site may be. You will be pleased to know that my bosses have referred many apprentices to your Chanel for guidance on attitude improvement 😂
i'll take a crew of older experienced MEN over a crew of young bucks any day. older guys have ways of doing things in fewer steps with less wasted effort and i always learn something new from other men on the job site.
I love this video. Seems like such a peaceful job site where the work is the main focus. Most job sites I go to now are horrible music blasting and everyone is rushing to get home. Thanks for sharing .
A lot, not all but a lot, of that mentality on a jobsite comes down to the GC and other people in charge. Most new construction jobs nowadays have schedules that want everything done last week when you find about it tomorrow. That kinda thing doesn't really engender much in the way of caring about the job so everyone shows up, does their bit until time to clock out. I'm guilty of it myself, I like doing a good job, but when it's obvious that the higher-ups doesn't care about anything but their bonus at the end of the job, it sure doesn't make me want to break my back to get things done.
@@debhaal Also, when you have the clipboard carriers (or rather iPads nowadays) telling you how to do your job and constantly asking when its going to be done, it doesn't do much for morale. Pisses me off I know that. At the end of every job, everybody is pissed off.
That's because this is labor of love - not like every body trying to maximize profits by screwing each other..... it's a huge difference and really rewarding.
I've found the same thing as you. I have helped colleagues build garages, stack-wall houses, and add on to houses. These people are now my friends and dear friends. Great video. Thanks
I totally agree with what you said about doing certain things for people can lead into lasting friendships. I am sitting here at my new home in Florida because of a guy I met while motorcycling with a group. We became great friends and our wives hit it off too. Things you do out of the decency of your heart and not for gain mean much to folks.
For flooring and framing we use oak and cherry alot, we have a sawmill and we get those logs alot in florida, we do use pine but we hate cutting it cause its sticky and it ruins clothes
Great video! Looks like such a nice spot and the music went very well with the footage! What I would do to have been there helping and soaking up all of that knowledge!
Look straight, strong and very neat. You are missing a radio blasting out music all day... the workers on jobs today cannot concentrate without music at its loudest.
The amount of space you have is 1/4, or more, the amount of stuff you have. The second best job I've ever had is watching other people working, the best job I've ever had is swinging a hammer building something! I was born with sawdust in my blood.
This video really struck home with me. I hired out building my workshop several years ago, long story short, he turned out to be a horrible contractor, I ended up firing him shortly after the concrete was poured & walls partway up. I wasn't sure what I was going to do to finish the job, I had a pile of 30ft trusses and other materials but no help to finish it. Friend of mine from church runs a framing crew, I asked him for help and he obliged. He and his sons and I worked evenings and weekends for several weeks and ended up developing a great friendship with him & his family of ten, yes ten children. My wife and I are now godparents to the two youngest. He knows construction, I know cars, and we trade knowledge and help each other out often. He's the one person I know I can call and will drop anything to help me out, and he knows I would do the same for him.
I live by the 10% rule. Over the years I've moved built a new shop made it larger and moved again. I'm now 61 and my shop is 2500sqft and still following that rule; My current work crew is a 14yrold daughter and my wife who assumes the role of upper management, but we get the job done.....
My daughter promised to help me make my barn pretty this winter while she's off for Christmas break and the wife gave me a list of thing to do to it 🙄 .... We will see...
Isnt it funny how the wifes always want the upper management job? Lol. Ill have my 8 year old and 5 year old helping me and my wife build our garage soon as well. They just love to help even of they arent doin much. I enjoy there company too. Lol
Yep! In Radio Land, they'd say, "He has a great set of pipes." And, indeed, he does. Easy on the ears -- a voice you could listen to for hours on end without tiring. In fact, I know a second or third career could be voice-overs and narrating audio books.
last summer I got to work with my grandpa who I didn't know real well, after those 2 weeks, and many stories from both parties we had a large respect for each other and left knowing each other a little more.
Sounds like the rule of thumb we use to determine construction costs where I am from, figure out the most the project can possibly cost then double it. Then double it again
It is awesome! Your “ ru-vid.comUgkxS-P9OAq3v4HNpPFqYFWNEq9A-E_PbZIN ” is a complete guide that highlights how I can easily build a beautiful shed from scratch. The writer of the SHED PLANS has given detailed blueprints and step by step instructions that even a beginner can follow without any trouble.
Scott, I very much appreciate your RU-vid channel. I have been a handyman all my life but in an industrial setting. I've built 3 home myself in Vermont. I'm a master electrician and have worked industrial maintenance for 43 year. We're about the same age. I really look forward to each of your videos. I enjoy your philosophy on life. You seem to be an honest decent man and someone I'd like to have called a friend. Best of luck in all things.
Blood's thicker than water, but sweat is thicker than blood. Working with someone can build a much stronger bond than someone you happen to be born into the same family as.
The phrase was originally "The blood of the oath is thicker than the water of the womb", referring to the practice of sealing an oath with blood letting forging a stronger bond than mere family. Mutual sweat isn't exactly the same but it sure is akin.
Undoubtedly the best video you`ve ever put up, and that's saying something. I've sometimes thought, as I helped a friend or acquaintance with a task they needed my expertise with, "I need to use my knowledge and experience to help him, just as a doctor is obligated to help a stranger with a medical emergency." Could we ever forgive a doctor who didn't help? Could we ever forgive ourselves if we didn't help?
This has suddenly become my favorite video ever. I just turned 44 years old. As a working residential frame and roof contractor, I have been thinking a lot lately about what the future will be for me. This is all I know, I love the work, but, I have been worried about the future as I age. This video has taken the worry out and strengthened my faith. I can see a beautiful many years of enjoying my work. Thank you.
Steve French Eric Hoffer. Well now. I read a lot of him in my early twenties. The CBC radio host Peter Gzowski would regularly quote him for years. Thanks for reminding me of an interesting man. I will see if any of the local libraries have any of his stuff. Cheers.
@phil I was about to say the SAME DAMN THING!! You worded it perfectly. Incidentally, the very actions you described were being done by my contractors crew, so we had a "come to Jesus" meeting and the phones now stay in their trucks. Break time and lunches they make a bee-line for their hand held addictions.... and they are all late 30 somethings. I'm not paying good money for phone time.
I don't know I'm a 45 year old drywaller . When young people in there 20s and 30s show interest in the job they can work very well.I had the opportunity to lead on a fairly large crew on a 12 storey steal tower last year. Some of the crew was there for a pay check which was fine. No one was lazy they all worked fine but two young guys stood out to me that they liked the framing would stay late with me and my brother to frame and drywall the wall on the elevator so we could get inspection done.wellbthey wanted to learn and that excited me for the next 3 months my brother and I taught probably our replacements lol. It was great they can do units on there own now they don't need us anymore. Just a week ago I got a call from them both of us collaborating to get on the next tower in a month from now
As a child this kind of experience was something I took for granted. I grew up in a blue collar neighborhood where men didn't have extra money but would readily pack up thier tools in thier truck and come help. As I have gotten older I've watched our younger generation. Those same work with your hands skills seem harder to come by with every day. Maybe on your next project you might think of inviting your church or high school so they can see what it really takes to build something in this life. Your obviously good at it. Seems a shame not to share that.
Great comment Phillip Lopez. Where I grew up, if a neighbor wanted to build a porch, tool shed, deck... with the help of neighbor/friends, it was done in no time. Even the wives would make the meals for the crew and kids. Like a Amish barn raising. It was also a great bonding experience for everyone. I sure miss those days.
A 57 year old guy was going to tear down a 95 year old shop, barn to salvage all the wood and tin by himself. His friends at 58, 65, 66, and 69 said no way, " you will end up with the same injuries problems as us." That group ended up dismantling the building and setting it down with no new injuries and no equipment damage. The 57 guy then threw a cookout and beer for his friends. Several days fun for retired guys!!!!! You are so right that works makes friends, we all retired from the same place.
my girlfriend and I this summer decided to try and build a pole barn. after we finished I put a ring on her finger. so I agree with your view that project can strengthen a relationship.
Thanks for the video and the positive message. Working together is what makes strong bonds between people which eventually form into a strong community. It is our very foundation.
i'm an old man sitting home watching these videos with my resonantly broken right arm and i just wanted to say thank you , you brought some needed sun light into my home.
Scott, your relationship with Cy, and your eloquence when speaking about this relationship is quite heartwarming. Your crew may be slightly more than halfway through life...but their skill and their drive seems to be right on par with a much younger person. Thanks for sharing.
I couldn't agree more. My tools and the ability to use them, has made me many friends over the years. And when you take care of folks, they take care of you. I don't even have to advertise anymore because of all the referrals I can't even keep up with :-) and as far as no business being on the roof goes, my dad is 75 years old and refuses to get off the roof and put down his hammer. I think this year is his 50th anniversary of having his contractor's license. So as long as he still has business on the roof, I think you do too :-)
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with the feelings of getting older. At 71 I no longer like to do the ladder work and have slowed way down for the ground stuff. My mind is like the buffering icon on a computer when trying to do math or search for a word the mind just keeps on searching and some times it just gives up. Glad I'm not the only one.
I know you get swamped with comments and questions but I only want to thank you. Yes I have tons of questions but at times watching you is like working with my father. When I was young (oh boy) I hated working with my father but now I wish I had half of his knowledge. You inspire me over and over again. You are not just a carpenter, blacksmith and all your other accolades you are a father. Once again thank you and sorry for being mushy. Lol
I have been watching you for over 3 years now & still find you inspiring I am trying to change my trade from 27 years as a paramedic to a building in timber & blacksmithing ( a lot to learn ) I hope that some of the items i make in the future turn out 1/3 as good as what you do & I will be happy I am 63 now & looking forward to the challenge. P/s To all of you Marry Christmas & Happy new year. From Qld Australia
As an introvert, I find most of my annoyance with people is when they pretend. It's not when they're not great people, when people aren't any good I just don't have them in my life, that's easy. It's the people that shouldn't be in my life, that are, because of who they seem to be, that are trouble. Those are the ones that let you down, that upset you, that irritate you, that surprise you, that waste your time and concern. So the activities I enjoy doing with people are those that are difficult to pretend or be fake around. When people's brains and bodies are occupied doing something else, the first thing that fades is their ability to pretend and be fake. Being fake is emotionally and mentally taxing, lying is among the most difficult things humans can do. It takes 100% of a person's attention, and when they can't give that, all that's left is who they really are. If you've ever seen the RU-vid series "Hot Ones", it's an interview that is conducted while both the host and the guest are eating 10 increasingly challengingly hot wings. It works, from people who are professionally fake (actors, celebrities, people who have a professional image), because the hot sauce doesn't let them lie or fake their way through it. Another favorite of mine is men going on a 2-man roadtrip. It's a long, known period of time. Smalltalk will exhaust and there's nothing else to do. Men will often hide of filter their emotions face to face, because they are concerned about how they appear, and how they're being interpreted. But when you're on a roadtrip, you're not facing each other. You're looking forward, away from each other. So it allows you a level of honesty without an emotional vulnerability or expectation. Conversations will be deep and meaningful. Go you on a roadtrip with a friend, you learn who they are. You see them at their calmest and most secure. I've said for years, "If you want to hate someone, move in with them". No one can fake who they are all the time, and the real them comes out when you're in close proximity. You'll see people at their laziest. A common one is canoeing. Canoeing is a stress test on a relationship. A short canoe trip is famous for ending them. You're physically active, physically distracted, stressed from a new task, and forced to cooperate and coordinate and communicate with someone. You have to have patience. You have to have trust. A canoe trip doesn't ruin a relationship, it exposes it if it was already in ruin. You'll see people at their most frustrated. Only a sociopath would engineer a situation to force a friend into a "test", so, these kinds of situations that lead to friendships being better are the next best thing. Without giving people's brains something else to do, they've got 100% of their brains to play the fake game, and a decade can go by without really knowing anything about who they really are.
MattsAwesomeStuff going on a canoe trip with a close friend, a friend, and two strangers in a week and a half. 42 miles in 4 days in the great BWCAW. We'll see how things end up. I've been fortunate enough to work hard with the two of them, under duress from both deadlines and aiming for high levels of performance. I trust one with my life, and the other hardly at all, but love each as though they're a brother. Interesting the way people can affect us
Nobody standing around watching people work, as minor as picking garbage up to climbing to the roof everyone working to their limits and abilities.... a masterpiece.. your message was great, I had the great pleasure to work with my best friend the last 10 years of my career, we still meet and have a coffee every day, go on adventures whenever we can... there for each other when “stuff” happens with our families... we met on the job...
I feel like the spare time at the end of your videos allows you time to absorb what you’ve just watched instead of carrying on to something else too quickly, I like it.
I have never conjured that the accumulated overflow of my workshop could be considered "just plain good" . I knew there was a good reason I follow this channel.
I saw your pain when your mom passed. It saddens me that I will see your loss when Sy passes and moves on to the a greater place. I have experienced those losses. I wish I had my best friend as long as you have had Sy as an adult.My age gape is greater than yours. I was only a child when I met my best friend and he was the age of my grand parents. But even today I think of him when times get tough and wonder what advice he would give me if he was here today. My love goes out to all of these who have touched me and have since passes. Treasure those who matter the most to you.
Your comments about working together really hit home for me. Just a few days ago I lost a close friend to cancer. We had worked together for more than 30 years. It was not construction work but your idea of really getting to know someone through work still holds true. This loss really hit me harder than I expected. Thank you for all your work and for sharing your thoughts and philosophy on life.
If you want to use composite materials, epoxy, fiberglass, and a thin cheap sheet of carbon fiber if you want it super strong - laminate any old plank and you've got a load bearing beam out of it. Since watching a few videos on polymer tech on RU-vid six or seven years ago I haven't used naked wood for anything and my construction costs have dropped to 10% of what they were and the sturdiness of the finished product is immense. Run a few tests though to ensure your work in the field. Unfortunately composite materials is still NASA and aeronautics shit and slowly bleeding into other fields so you're a pioneer and need to work your own numbers out.
Thanks for this - reminds me of seeing my granddad working with his kids on jobsites. The philosophy provided here is invaluable and so needed in the world today.
HI Scott, do you spend time thinking about whether to bury the poles vs pouring the concrete and mounting it on top? I see "the other method is wrong" comments all over the place and was curious if you did it because it's just what's done vs you decided it was the right way for this application.
I know you probably already know about it but a guy named Adam Booth has a YT channel abom79. He just posted a really cool video of a blacksmith shop and probably the biggest anvil collection ive ever seen and heard of! When i saw it, it made me think about this channel lol. check it out!
Dia duit(Irish for: may God be with you), I hope you are keeping well, I've been enjoying this video series for several years. I just want to thank you and your family for the work done for these videos.
These are the essentials of manliness that we lost in the enlightenment period, they're also morality lessons that are core to Freemasonry, teaching those who don't work with their hands the wisdom of tradesmen from the past. Google masonic lessons, specifically 'the working tools' for a good example of this exact kind of philosophy.
It’s so unique that you talk about making friends while doing this work at our age! I can relate exactly what you’re talking about and it feels good to be productive and almost kind a young again... 👍👍👍😎🇨🇱
How long will those posts last in concrete?? I live in an area that the water table is sometimes 3 feet or less down. I have put into the ground pressure treated and regular lumber, round pressure treated fence posts and treated posts with store bought treatment (copper something ). And most treated posts have rotted in 5 -7 years or less and some have not. Some untreated has lasted more than 15 years, some only couple of years. What gives?? The only posts that last are railroad ties and the original old redwood fence posts (100 year old ones ). I want to build another shed next to my "shop ". The first one I did is just okay. I used 4x4s and we treated them. I think 3 out of 10 rotted. The shed 32 x 12 feet with only a few inches of drop for the roof. Shed is basically 4x4 uprights, 3 feet deep in the ground. 2x6s nailed to the face of uprights, 2x4s across as "rafters" at 2 foot centers for corrugated roofing. Roof on the high side is less than 8 feet ( we tried to tuck the roof under the over hang of the shop roof to keep water out) . Everything WAS level and plumb, not now 15 years later. I would like to cover the last 20 feet of the shop and put down concrete to work on. But the roof has to be taller. And maybe enclose the first part for better storage to free up work space inside the shop ( there is none now ). I'm still contemplating and watching your videos for ideas. Thank you!!!
Almost brings a tear to the eyes. Ah yes, projects with close friends.. I have always said, "It is more fun helping others on their projects than doing my own."
What a great video! Most of my closest friends are all guys who I have worked with. It makes me so thankful and proud to have them. No matter how hard or terrible the job is, when your working with a friend its fun! I never thought about it until watching this. Boom! Mind blown! Thank you sir!
I love your commentary on the influence of working together maturing and deepening relationships. I've been working on a granite retaining wall with my father for almost two years - a half to full day on most weekends so that we can level my yard to create a more functional space. 22m (72ft) long, up to 1m (3ft) high, 33t of granite and 6t of concrete so far, all by hand (except for a mixer for the concrete). It's been hard but rewarding work, and even though my wife would probably like the job finished sooner with some contracted help, I'm really enjoying taking the time and doing this as a father-son project, and how my relationship with my Dad is maturing. We don't talk much other than to coordinate our actions and plan out the jobs at hand; but the feeling of trust, shared accomplishment, and respect just keeps getting deeper. It's a wonderful thing, and I wouldn't trade this time for anything.
I can't stop watching this guy I'm in the UK and I've turned my outside old toilet and salt room into a small workshop!! My grandad was brilliant with he's hands and I'm blessed to inherit that from him, thd reason I like this guy so much is because he reminds me of my grandad so much its uncanny!! Something very comforting about watching him. 💛
WoW! Not only has this channel become the most favorite of all that I am subscribed to, but I do believe that this particular video is my most favorite yet! Thank you for doing what you do, and for taking the time to share with us. :-)
This gentleman is the kind of work and friendship the younger generation can’t understand I love seeing this older generation work with friends bc you just rarely see it anymore I have come to be a huge fan of your channel it has helped me on many occasions being a person who has to fix his own things bc I cannot afford to pay people to do it for me and I really enjoy being able to learn from the experience of the wiser generation thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience
I cannot agree more with the final assessment of this video. In a day and age where work has been demonized and made to be something to avoid it is refreshing to see these videos and listen to the words of wisdom glorifying the rewards and friendship that can only be attained through skill and work
just out of curiosity, how long would a post last in the ground like that. you would think that it would still rot .. sonotube form and a concrete base doesn't seem that much harder to do?
I don't know about buildings, but in fences, treated wood in direct contact with dirt can work better Concrete brings moisture to the wood (or a metal fence post). And when a post in concrete rots, then you've got to deal with the concrete before you can replace that post. A weird thing: some places, they'd find the buried part of the untreated, 50- or 100-year-old fence post was actually petrified, just stone all the way through.
Scott couldn't have said it better myself. I have made many friends and memories with family members over the years with the tools I have. I try to carry those blessings, and they are blessings, over to my channel as well. I can totally relate to you, as a man in his very late 50's. In conversations with the younger boys and men at church I sometimes relate a story with them. I say have you ever seen in a movie or in person the old men sitting on the bench on the side of the road, usually at a barber shop, then some event or something passes them and the old men don't say a word, they just grunt. Well young men that's because they don't need to say a word to each other, they already know, they've been there done that and the grunt is just to say yep look at that. Young boys and men when you see that know that there's wisdom there with their age. If you get the chance make friends with them, they will teach you things it took them a LIFE time to learn, the HARD way. Milk ALL the wisdom and training you can from older men, it will make you wiser than your age and save you a LOT of pain and money. Old MEN invite this young boys and men to share in your adventures and projects, it's your duty to teach the younger generations. Thanks for sharing. Only I would add; "You don't just make friends with tools you have you also make IMPORTANT memories to share"! So thanks for sharing one of yours Scott. Best wishes n Blessings. Keith Noneya
Dang it man. Another beautiful video with a beautiful message. I can relate on two experiences. 1) I started working with a guy. I did the construction side of his company while he did tractor work everywhere else other than where we were. He hired a young helper to assist me. A year later the helper quit. Boss man hated the guy. I absolutely loved him. I had my doubts when he first showed up, but after months of he and I hammering next to each other I learned he was smart. Eager to learn. Learned fast. I truly valued our relationship. We had a lot of fun working together. Hopefully here shortly, I can get him back to work with me in my own company once I’m ready. 2) I recently reconnected with my older brother. We talked now and then, but never really spent any time with each other. Once I started my company, he reached out for some help on his sons pole barn, which led to me doing a lot of work with him in one of his rental homes. I’m not sure which was more valuable to me, the Monday he paid for the work, or the time we got to spend with each other during that time. I think we both know the answer there. I didn’t realize just how much we have in common, despite each of us going two completely directions with our lives. Thanks for this video!
One of the fastest growing community groups in Australia is Men's Shed with over 1000 sheds across the country there are also sheds around the world but seems to be slow at starting off in the states .Men talk side by side while working and it can be anything from family, men's health ( which men rarely talk about), projects there working on, hobbies or down to having a tea or coffee and sitting around the table and just having conversation with other guys
That would have been ond of the most amazing job sites to be on. The sheer amount of knowledge that was expressed during this build must have been monumental.
Funny how “old guys” outwork the kids usually, and don’t break a sweat doing it! I’m 19 years and a GC, I have to work my tail off to keep up with guys like Scott. Keep up what your doing!!
Hej soon you will get distracted while you are waiting for us old guys to catch up. And that is the most important part of your career. It was for me Keep working it's the best entertainment in this life.
I talk to so many people that are in the 50’s and 60’s that always say they are to old to learn a new craft or start a project etc, Cy is a perfect example of someone that lives life everyday. I appreciate that you share his enthusiasm with all of us. You both are great examples of men to follow.
Me and my grandfather would work all day planting corn and at the end of the day sit under a silver maple for shade and smoke a cigarette and talk. Now that he's gone, those are good memories.
I'm honored to be subscribed to this channel, really, really character building and stewardship oriented stuff, I constantly am striving to improve myself and my social contribution to others. Does anybody know where to find that cartoon EC mentioned?
"My friend Cy:" What a glorious thing to be able to say... Watching the "old men" running together like a well oiled machine put a smile on my face, thank you Scott and the crew !
Hell yeah, I enjoy working with my father in law. He's about 70, a retired master electrician. I am a welder and a framer who also does concrete work and roofing. On my time off, he usually has projects backed up so I help him. I try to do all the heavy lifting but his pride gets a hold of him and on we go. Great videos. Some day, God willing, I'll be old and still swinging my hammer I hope.
At 5:13, does your blocking between the girts have an official "construction-ese" name? I think they definitely add strength and stability to the wall since not only do they transfer load of the girts (and whatever is attached to the girts) to the foundation, they also provide significant anti-racking strength approximating cut notches without weakening the vertical posts.
Great video . I like seeing older men that still have the love and will in them to accomplish productive tasks. U guys are an inspiration. Just like the late great Larry huan.
I have people tell me that they have many, many friends. I reply with, you probably have some friends but most are an acquaintance ! There is a huge difference ! Thanks for sharing and take care. 👍 👍
