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| grwo:green_woodworking [2025/12/05 10:14] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1 | grwo:green_woodworking [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 |
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| # Green woodworking | This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. |
| | ====== Green woodworking ====== |
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| ## What is green woodworking? | ===== What is green woodworking? ===== |
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| 'Green' in this context refers to the working of wet or unseasoned wood that has recently been felled or harvested. Freshly cut wood contains a lot of water which will eventually evaporate, causing shrinkage. This 'wetness' can be of benefit in some green woodworking joints which rely on shrinkage to produce a tight fit. Wood can still be considered green for up to a year if left in a round log before being worked. Techniques for shaping green coppiced wood follow the grain, producing softer flowing surfaces - but increased strength, as the wood's linear fibres remain intact. Green woodworking requires a different set of skills and tools to modern carpentry, as well as a closer understanding of the nature of wood and the character of different trees. Originally, all woodworking would have been green woodworking. These techniques evolved to shape unseasoned wood when it was soft and pliable, and the wood simply dried over time after it had been worked. | 'Green' in this context refers to the working of wet or unseasoned wood that has recently been felled or harvested. Freshly cut wood contains a lot of water which will eventually evaporate, causing shrinkage. This 'wetness' can be of benefit in some green woodworking joints which rely on shrinkage to produce a tight fit. Wood can still be considered green for up to a year if left in a round log before being worked. Techniques for shaping green coppiced wood follow the grain, producing softer flowing surfaces - but increased strength, as the wood's linear fibres remain intact. Green woodworking requires a different set of skills and tools to modern carpentry, as well as a closer understanding of the nature of wood and the character of different trees. Originally, all woodworking would have been green woodworking. These techniques evolved to shape unseasoned wood when it was soft and pliable, and the wood simply dried over time after it had been worked. |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Using a draw-knife on a shave horse. | _Using a draw-knife on a shave horse._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Using a pole-lathe. | _Using a pole-lathe._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| ## What are the benefits of green woodworking? | ===== What are the benefits of green woodworking? ===== |
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| - Green wood is soft and therefore easy to work with hand tools; this reduces the need for power tools, which are noisy, dangerous, require electricity and can cause dust-related respiratory problems. | - Green wood is soft and therefore easy to work with hand tools; this reduces the need for power tools, which are noisy, dangerous, require electricity and can cause dust-related respiratory problems. |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Coppiced woodland. | _Coppiced woodland._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Detail of wood turning on a pole lathe. | _Detail of wood turning on a pole lathe._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| ## What can I do? | ===== What can I do? ===== |
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| You can give it a go by attending a course, and get more information from books (see resources for both). Then, if you're serious about green woodworking, get yourself a basic collection of [hand tools](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/directory/categories/green-woodworking-products-services), plus a shave horse and pole lathe, after which you can easily start making presents, kitchenware, toys, furniture, garden structures and general fixings for the home. Your skills will improve with experience and experimentation. | You can give it a go by attending a course, and get more information from books (see resources for both). Then, if you're serious about green woodworking, get yourself a basic collection of hand tools, plus a shave horse and pole lathe, after which you can easily start making presents, kitchenware, toys, furniture, garden structures and general fixings for the home. Your skills will improve with experience and experimentation. |
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| <WRAP center centeralign> | <WRAP center centeralign> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Selection of hand-carved spoons (pic: [Barn the Spoon](https://barnthespoon.com/)). | _Selection of hand-carved spoons (pic: [Barn the Spoon](https://barnthespoon.com/))._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| <caption> | <caption> |
| Wild shave horse in its natural habitat. | _Wild shave horse in its natural habitat._ |
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| </caption> | </caption> |
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| ## Further resources | ===== Forum ===== |
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| | This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts). |
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| | ===== Further resources ===== |
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| ## Specialist(s) | - [Association of Pole Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers](https://www.bodgers.org.uk/) |
| | - [Blood & Sawdust](https://bloodandsawdust.com/) - medieval woodworking |
| | - [Directory of UK coppice product makers](https://www.coppice-products.co.uk/) |
| | - [Shave horse plans](https://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/shaving-horse-plan.html) |
| | - [History of pole lathes](https://www.historicgames.com/lathes/springpole.html) |
| | - [4000 years of wood turning](https://stuartking.co.uk/mystery-moor-4000-years-woodturning/) |
| | - [Wood identification guide](https://www.wood-database.com/wood-articles/wood-identification-guide/) |
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| | ===== Related topics ===== |
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| | - [Bow making](bowm:bow_making) |
| | - [Craft production](craf:craft) |
| | - [Felling axes & crosscut saws](fell:felling) |
| | - [Hurdles](hrdl:hurdles) |
| | - [Roof shingles](rofs:roof_shingles) |
| | - [Round wood timber framing](rwtf:round_wood_timber_framing) |
| | - [Rustic furniture](rufu:rustic_furniture) |
| | - [Sticks & crooks](stic:sticks) |
| | - [Tree/woodland management](wodl:woodland_management) |
| | - [Woodworking](wwor:woodworking) |
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| | ===== Specialist curators of this topic ===== |
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