Sovereignty Module: Shape the Timber
Shape the Timber
Complete Woodcraft: From Tree to Structure
Complete Woodcraft: From Tree to Structure
Wood is the most versatile building material. This campaign covers tree identification, felling, milling, joinery, and construction projects.
Chapter 1: Wood Properties
| Wood | Hardness | Workability | Durability (outdoor) | Weight | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White oak | Very hard | Moderate | Excellent (rot-resistant) | Heavy | Framing, furniture, barrels, boats |
| Red oak | Hard | Good | Moderate (not rot-resistant) | Heavy | Interior furniture, flooring |
| Maple (hard) | Very hard | Difficult | Poor | Heavy | Tool handles, flooring, cutting boards |
| Walnut | Hard | Excellent | Good | Moderate-heavy | Furniture, gunstocks, carving |
| Cherry | Moderate-hard | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate | Furniture, cabinets |
| Pine (white) | Soft | Excellent | Poor (unless treated) | Light | Construction, carving, interior |
| Pine (yellow/southern) | Moderate | Good | Moderate (resinous) | Moderate | Construction, decking, framing |
| Cedar (red) | Soft | Excellent | Excellent (natural oils) | Light | Siding, shingles, fencing, chests |
| Douglas fir | Moderate | Good | Good | Moderate | Structural framing, beams |
| Ash | Hard | Good | Moderate | Moderate | Tool handles, bows, furniture |
| Hickory | Very hard | Difficult | Moderate | Heavy | Tool handles (best), smoking meat |
| Poplar/tulip | Soft | Excellent | Poor | Light | Interior, paint-grade, carving |
| Black locust | Extremely hard | Difficult | Excellent (most durable) | Very heavy | Fence posts, ground contact |
| Osage orange | Extremely hard | Difficult | Excellent | Very heavy | Fence posts, bows, tool handles |
Chapter 2: Felling and Milling
| Method | Equipment | Output | Speed | Skill Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axe felling | Felling axe (3-5 lbs) | Logs | Slow (30-60 min/tree) | Moderate | No saw available, small trees |
| Crosscut saw (2-man) | Crosscut saw (5-7 ft) | Logs | Moderate (10-30 min/tree) | Moderate (2 people) | Large trees, no power |
| Chainsaw | Chainsaw + fuel | Logs | Fast (2-10 min/tree) | Moderate | All trees (if available) |
| Pit sawing | Pit saw, pit/frame | Planks | Very slow (1-2 planks/hour) | High (2 people) | Planks without sawmill |
| Whipsaw (frame saw) | Frame saw | Planks | Slow | Moderate-high | Planks in field |
| Water-powered sawmill | Mill, dam, waterwheel | Planks | Moderate-fast | High (build mill) | Production lumber |
| Hewing (broadaxe) | Broadaxe, chalk line | Beams (flat sides) | Moderate | High | Timber frame beams |
| Splitting (froe) | Froe, mallet | Shingles, boards | Moderate | Moderate | Shingles, clapboards, rails |
| Riving (wedges) | Wedges, sledge | Boards, rails | Moderate | Low-moderate | Fence rails, rough boards |
Chapter 3: Joinery
| Joint | Strength | Complexity | Tools Needed | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butt joint (nailed) | Low | Very low | Hammer, nails | Rough construction, temporary |
| Lap joint | Moderate | Low | Saw, chisel | Frames, simple furniture |
| Mortise and tenon | Very high | High | Saw, chisel, mallet, drill | Timber framing, fine furniture |
| Dovetail | Very high (pull-resistant) | Very high | Saw, chisel, marking gauge | Drawers, boxes, fine work |
| Tongue and groove | Moderate (alignment) | Moderate | Plane (tongue/groove) | Flooring, paneling, tabletops |
| Dado/housing | Moderate | Low-moderate | Saw, chisel | Shelving, bookcase |
| Bridle joint | High | Moderate | Saw, chisel | Frames, gates |
| Scarf joint | Moderate-high | Moderate | Saw, chisel, plane | Lengthening beams/timbers |
| Pegged (treenail) | High | Moderate | Drill, dowel | Timber framing (no metal) |
| Wedged tenon | Very high | High | Saw, chisel, wedge | Permanent timber connections |
Chapter 4: Essential Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Priority | Make or Buy | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axe (felling) | Fell trees, rough shaping | Critical | Buy (or forge) | Sharpen regularly, oil handle |
| Saw (crosscut) | Cut across grain | Critical | Buy | Sharpen, set teeth |
| Saw (rip) | Cut along grain | High | Buy | Sharpen, set teeth |
| Chisel set (1/4"-1") | Joinery, mortises | Critical | Buy (or forge) | Sharpen on stone |
| Mallet (wooden) | Drive chisels | Critical | Make (hardwood) | Replace when worn |
| Plane (jack) | Flatten, smooth | High | Buy | Sharpen iron, adjust |
| Plane (smoothing) | Final surface | Moderate | Buy | Sharpen iron |
| Drawknife | Shape, debark | High | Buy (or forge) | Sharpen |
| Froe | Split shingles/boards | High | Buy (or forge) | Sharpen edge |
| Brace and bit | Drill holes | High | Buy | Keep bits sharp |
| Marking gauge | Layout joinery | Moderate | Make | Keep blade sharp |
| Square (try square) | Check 90° angles | High | Buy or make | Keep accurate |
| Adze | Shape beams, bowls | Moderate | Buy (or forge) | Sharpen |
| Spokeshave | Shape curves | Moderate | Buy | Sharpen |
Chapter 5: Construction Projects
| Project | Lumber Needed | Skills | Time | Tools | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workbench | 50-100 board feet | Joinery, planing | 2-4 days | Saw, chisel, plane | Critical (build first) |
| Shelving | 20-40 board feet | Dado joints, leveling | 1-2 days | Saw, chisel, level | High |
| Table | 30-50 board feet | Mortise/tenon, planing | 2-4 days | Saw, chisel, plane | High |
| Chair | 15-25 board feet | Turning or shaping, joinery | 2-5 days | Lathe or drawknife, drill | Moderate |
| Bed frame | 40-60 board feet | Mortise/tenon, pegging | 2-3 days | Saw, chisel, drill | High |
| Door | 20-30 board feet | Frame and panel or board | 1-2 days | Saw, plane, hinges | High |
| Chest/trunk | 20-40 board feet | Dovetail or nailed | 2-4 days | Saw, chisel, plane | High |
| Ladder | 10-20 board feet | Mortise/tenon or nailed | 4-8 hours | Saw, chisel or drill | High |
| Wheelbarrow | 20-30 board feet + wheel | Moderate joinery | 2-3 days | Saw, chisel, plane | Critical |
| Timber frame building | 500-2,000 board feet | Advanced joinery | Weeks-months | Full tool set | Critical |
Chapter 6: Wood Preservation
| Method | Protection Against | Duration | Cost | Application | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charring (shou sugi ban) | Rot, insects | 50-80 years | Free (fire) | Char surface with torch | Posts, siding, raised beds |
| Linseed oil | Moisture | 2-5 years (reapply) | Low | Brush on, let absorb | Furniture, tools, indoor |
| Pine tar | Rot, moisture | 10-20 years | Low (make from pine) | Brush on hot | Boats, outdoor wood |
| Creosote | Rot, insects | 20-50 years | Moderate | Brush or soak | Railroad ties, posts (toxic) |
| Elevation (off ground) | Ground moisture, rot | Indefinite | Free (design) | Raise on stones/posts | All structures |
| Ventilation | Trapped moisture | Indefinite | Free (design) | Air gaps, overhangs | All structures |
| Proper drainage | Standing water | Indefinite | Free (design) | Slope away, drip edges | All structures |
| Copper naphthenate | Rot, insects | 10-20 years | Moderate | Brush or soak | Ground contact, cut ends |
Reference Card
- Season wood: fresh-cut wood is 50%+ water. Air dry 1 year per inch of thickness. Green wood shrinks, cracks, warps. Patience.
- Black locust: most rot-resistant North American wood. Use for fence posts, ground contact. Lasts 50+ years in soil. Worth seeking.
- Mortise and tenon: strongest wood joint. Cut mortise (hole) first, fit tenon (tongue) to it. Peg with hardwood dowel. No metal needed.
- Sharpen tools: a sharp tool is safer and more effective than a dull one. Sharpen before every session. Flat back, consistent bevel, polish edge.
- Grain direction: always work with the grain (plane, chisel, split). Against the grain = tearout, rough surface, wasted effort.
- Workbench: build this first. Everything else is easier with a solid bench. Heavy, flat, with vise. Most important tool in the shop.
- Split don't saw: for shingles, fence rails, and rough boards, splitting (froe/wedge) is faster and produces stronger wood (follows grain).
- Char posts: before setting fence posts in ground, char the buried portion with fire. Creates carbon layer that resists rot. Free preservation.
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