Dave, Nathan Elliot in Tennessee is a sawyer who watches your channel and highly recommended it to your viewers. He may be able to help you out as he has lots of various species of Oak. His channel is Out of The Woods. Might be worth reaching out to him. Good fella. Down to earth and willing to help others. Just a thought sir.
I literally watched Nathan's latest video right before I watched this one. He was sawing some white oak 6x6 posts for a customer.. He knows what he's doing and has his own kiln. I've been watching his videos about as long as I've been watching yours. He's in N.E. Tennessee so don't know if shipping costs will be an issue but he's the first guy I thought of too. That first load you had was junk. Nathan splits better wood than that was for firewood!! Good luck!!
Our first view of the mud wagon at 12;27 reminded me of the favourite saying of Tony Burlack, my old friend and wheelwright mentor,- "Well, it looks bad but I think we can fix it." That has stood me in good stead for lo these many years. Thanks for being someone else who thinks and acts the same.
I have been messing around with old cars here in England for over 50 years and I have seen some 'basket case' restorations in my time. This just about beats them all! Good luck with turning it into a complete, working stagecoach.
Only the eye of an experienced cartwright can find useable parts in a crate full of junk. This will be another Lazarus project. We’ll see an old derelict stagecoach standing up from its grave. I cannot wait to see that mud wagon being reborn, Dave!
I agree with you very much. You are being very kind to say that this is a pile of junk. It is far worse than that. I like that all his build projects are done with a lot of skill and love.
We have seen you build all sorts of wheels and wagons from scratch, but when I looked at that pile of rotten wood and rusted iron I started wondering how you will be turning this into a stagecoach. This promises to be another feast to watch! Greetings and all the best wishes for you and your family from Mallorca.
Got to agree , how you see beyond a box of woodworm and scrap metal to a fully restored vehicle says much of the man’s talent ..Best wishes from Javea Spain ..👍
THE TROLLS MAY COME AT YOU BUT YOUR PROCESS WORKS YOU HAVE SOME GREAT CONTENT, AND WHO CAN FAULT YOUR SUCCESS. I WORK ANOTHER WAY, I'LL HAVE 3-4 PROJECTS GOING AT ONCE, IF ONE STUMPS ME I MOVE TO ANOTHER AND THINK OF WAYS AROUND OR WAYS TO FIX WHAT IS STUMPING ME ON THE OTHER PROJECT AND GET BACK TO THEM IN TIME. YOU DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND IT IS GREAT TO WATCH KEEP IT COMING MASTER.
Here we go with another box of bits that will be made into a fabulously restored Mud Wagon. Never ceases to amaze. Looking forward to another great series. Hello and best wishes from Jersey (and not New Jersey , but Jersey , Channel Isles ) .
I stumbled on you're channel about four years ago, and it's always a joy to watch you work. I've always thought you were quite the artisan and craftsmen, so keep the videos comming because they are so good.
Agreed, there is nothing better than Saturday breakfast bacon and eggs with these videos learning how things used to be done and in many cases still are.
I agree been also watching for years and find it fascinating as well as how much i learn not just about the wagons and carriages, but the techniques that can be applied to all sorts of projects i also get up to myself. all tools to stick in the mental tool box.
100% agree with the suggestion to contact Nathan Elliott / Out of the Woods. I watch both, Mr. Elliott and Mr. Engel for quite some time and I am always stunned by their dedication to the type of work they do. Interesting, that others in the community have similar preferences. Must have something to do with the way information is presented, and craftsmanship is shown here. Regards from Germany Ralf
I know it's from experience..... But it always amazes me, how you can just look over a pile of "junk", and figure out all the pieces and where they go..... like a puzzle with no picture on the face. That has to take many, many years of experience. Excellent work!!
Hi there tuff guy I just wanted to say thanks for keeping the art of the old wood working of the old west and east alive, also the work of farmers had too do for the life of there family and the U S A. I say thank you.
Out of the woods is a u tuber that runs a saw mill he cut a lot of white oak you can get in touch with him he cut all kinds of wood and he does sell to good luck and keep up the good work really enjoy watching your work
Think one of the first videos on your was on setting rubber tires, and using that contraption, pulling those wires and that bouncing game to close the gap in the tire are still one if my favourite items to watch! 😀👏
I have watched you for years now. With your edits to this video I understand now how detailed your work and craft are just to rubber tires. You are absolutely a master at what you do and if no one else thanks you please allow me to do it for all of us. Thank you!!!!
You're really getting good use out of those electric hoists! They sure are better than killing your back... Can't wait to see how this new project progresses!
I am an old man and probably will not live to see you finish the mud wagon, but it is fascinating. I will watch as long as I can. I love your work and marvel at the depth of your knowledge.
As always, thank you for sharing your time with us, just wish I lived a little closer so I could come by and bug you every day and maybe even learn a thing or two!
I love the video and you always amaze me the way you research and put old things back in working and usable order. Thank you for giving and sharing your journey with me I love to see and learn.
Ich sehe jede Folge und bin immer wieder begeistert von den Fähigkeiten, von dem Werkzeug und der wunderbaren Werkstatt. Es gibt nur noch ganz wenige Handwerker, die so ein Spektrum an Fähigkeiten haben und noch praktizieren. Immer wieder Hut ab!
Try the wooden boat folks for the wood. What you need would be offcuts for them. Port Townsend is a name I have picked up from watching the Tally Ho project.
I think Leo uses Edensaw Woods (at least he has done an episode there) I'm from Connecticut, and New England Naval Timbers in Cornwall is the go-to for white oak around here. They supply Mystic Seaport and supplied timber for the 2009 rebuild of Canada's national schooner Bluenose II. You can have a visit with Duke and his unique yard by looking through the 'Tips From a Shipwright' channel.
Dave, you told us years ago that the wagons and all have taught you most of what you know about how to repair them. I have always learned more from a teacher that I knew and liked. And you look for the story that they can tell us about their lifetime. You are able to give them another chance to be useful, a rare thing in this age of designed obsolesce.
it is pretty impressive all the things you can do and what it takes to restore a carriage or wagon that seemingly looks like a lost cause.. Neat you can reuse all that old iron and keep some authenticity to it.. I learn an awful lot from your Chanel even though i will never be building anything like it .. glad you can help the Amish folks in your area too..
Must be your optimistic nature Dave and your great imagination. Been following for many years now and look forward to another weekly (now bi-weekly) adventure each week.
Dave, You should do a before and after photo of these Chuck Wagon projects. However, you should do it wearing Merlin the Magician’s costume. The work you do is absolutely magical.
Yes another restoration. This wagon thought it was done, worked a hard life and had been set out to rot away. But no sir, someone has seen fit for you to get a new lease on life. Cannot wait for the archeology to start and see how it looks in the end, or new beginning as it were.
If you don't find a reasonable supplier for the 6" white oak. A good source for odd size lumber is kiln services. For that sized material, vacuum kiln operators on the east coast would be your best bet. Even if they don't have any currently dry, it would only take them a couple of weeks to get it fully dried without damaging the wood at all.
I've been watching your videos for many years, and I just love them! It makes me feel a little better about our disintegrating world to know that there are still a few decent, hard working, intelligent, resourceful, self-reliant people left on planet Earth. Please keep up the great work...you're inspiring us to follow your example and to take a little more care with the work we do, too.
Quite an amazing coincidence they settled just 15 miles away, don't you think? Now I'm wondering how Dave lets them know it's done. I mean it's not like you can call them up or anything. Smoke signals perhaps?
Thank you Dave, Diane and Daughters for sharing your technique, knowledge and especially for keeping history alive. Very well presented and documented all this content
Even though I've watched you do many of them, it always amazes me how the rubber tyres are put on. Particularly the skidding (if indeed it's called that!) to get the two ends to meet!
It’s not weird that you bring in the future project just so there near. Amazingly the mind will start processing what’s needed @nd the steps that’ll be required to complete the repair or rebuild. And when ready to start it’ll just start making sense of Wharton steps are needed and what parts that’ll need to be made. Enjoy your channel immensely! 👍👍👍👍👍
I have a big long wagon in my front yard (hay wagon?) left for dead and falling apart when I bought the property. I believe I talked to Mr Engels about it in emails. Wish I could get it pristine but Mr Engels looked at the pictures and deemed it an ambience ornament unless I wanted to spend big money. I can see that now. Wheelwrighting is an artform as well as a highly skilled vocation. Oh well. Maybe some day...,
I have been a sub for some time. First thought I had about the tire was, nice it's been a while. As always. love this channel and the different tasks at hand. Thank you for bringing us along.
Before I started watching your channel, all I would have seen if I uncovered that mud wagon in a field would have been a pile of firewood and scrap iron. Now I know to give it a second glance, not that i would ever tackle such a project.
All of the huge number of special-purpose machines, dies, mandrels and so forth that you have made is astounding. You are a great inventor. Would there be much interest in others around the world who might erven be doing what you do for paying customers who still use these wooden-based vehicles and associated products (not just Amish!)? They might find you various special equipment perfect for a job that they now do by hand in a very complicated and slow manner.
If getting close to your project is what helps you do the wonderful work that I have seen, it’s ok with me if you want to take the stuff to the living room. 😂 Mrs. E might have something to say though!! Thanks for the video and God bless!!
There's an old phrase for that letting something set for a while til you get a feel for it -- to "get it into your eye". It's a really valuable skill for reconstruction of pretty much anything.
Hey Dave......That metal "U" shaped metal bracket with rubber inside at the 15:08 mark of the video is a part of the isolated rear suspension on mid 70's thru 80's dodge diplomats . It captures the rear leaf spring and locates to the lower shock plate. They are a desirable piece as most rust out and are no longer available. Great video as always!
Thanks, Mr. Dave!! (and Diane!!) This will be another interesting project to follow along with!! I hope you are still getting some time and production in out at your Country Estate!! :-)
Dave. We like puzzles! Tracing the origin of the mud wagon will be interesting. After learning a greater knowledge of these various wagons and carriages. I enjoy the older westerns much more. How the forces of the pulling animal are distributed through the different frame components. Great stuff
I understand a lot of "your process". Personally, I have taken on many, new to me, jobs/projects. Usually, I spend days, weeks, or even months looking at it in many different ways. Many times I complete the job mentally many times before the first steps are actually taken. Even now I have a problem or should I dare say a ideal that I have been thinking about for several decades. I can imagine the things you must consider for ever repair and rebuild you do. I am also greatful you freely share your wisdom and life experiences in your profession. 18 years ago I was blessed enough to visit Montana. I spent a few days there after flying into Bozeman. If I am ever blessed that way again I hope your shop will still be there and open.
For some reason, I find watching you install rubber and steel tires, facinating and relaxing. Both require experience and skill. Thankyou for posting them.
Hi Dave and Diane ☺, glad you rejected the wood, I'm sure a supply of good timber will be somewhere out there. That Hamish wheel had the tyre in two parts, am I wrong in thinking their usually one piece of rubber,? . The mud wagon project is going to be interesting, it's a sorry collection of bits and pieces, but you'll entertain us sorting it all out I'm sure. Thanks for another interesting video mate, stay safe, best wishe's to you and Diane, Stuart and Megan UK.
Gosh... i've lost the number of years since i've started following. Had a period in between where RU-vid kicked my subscription out, but it's been a fun road, not a single time did i get bored of watching you work. Something about being the master of your craft makes me watch and soak as much as possible.
Archaeological hunt is right. Did you talk about the origins of the mud wagon puzzle (barn, side of the road, bottom of a cliff, …)? It’s been a while, but it’s still amazing to watch you bounce a rubber tire closed.
Yes indeed, I too would like to hear the history of this remarkable pile of puzzle parts. Makes the reconstruction that much more interesting, to know where it's been.
I know where there is a huge warehouse full of dried (white) oak in 6" square, 8" square, and some much bigger, sizes. There are thousands of tons of the stuff. Unfortunately for you, it's near me in East Anglia, UK. It supplied all the timber for the recreation of Shakespear's Globe Theatre in London, for instance.
