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CommnSense's avatar

We could learn from industrious and independent folk like these as part of a prepping program for if/when the world as we know it falls apart. One major construction essential that was omitted was anchoring the structure in the ground, so a relatively strong gale wind would blow the structure off it's base stumps because the timber walls and floor would behave like a sail does on a boat. Nevertheless, this was an impressive effort to be admired.

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John Droz's avatar

CS: Anchoring is a good thought,but maybe there are enough trees close by to buffer any strong winds.

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Bob Travis's avatar

That is truly humbling. Thank you for sharing it.

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John Droz's avatar

Bob: It does put some things in perspective...

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Van Snyder's avatar

My wife is a native of Saigon who immigrated in 1975. Her parents were natives of Haiphong who fled to Saìgòn in 1954.

She enjoys videos produced by a self-made individual Vietnamese philanthropist (not a corporation or group) who helps the hard-working people of mountainous rural Central Vietnam. I'm always impressed by their preservation of centuries-old technology. The mortise-and-tenon joinery in this video was impressive. She probably learned it from her dad, who learned it from his dad, ….

Either this construction was done in Vietnam, or she bought cement from Vietnam (there were Vietnamese words on the bags).

Yeah, she used nice lumber that was cut in a sawmill by power tools, but she didn't use any herself, not least because she doesn't have any electricity. The lumber was hauled up the mountain on motorbikes, donkeys, or backpacks, not a 2 1/2 ton 10-wheel-drive truck. Some of the back-country mountain roads are paved, but very few are even one US-lane wide.

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John Droz's avatar

VS: TY for the connection with your wife — and how she can appreciate the realism of this impressive video.

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Senior Moments's avatar

I'm blown away by this. I'm going to have to watch it a couple more times, there were so many skills demonstrated, including scribing and scree work. Shots of beautiful flowers interspersed...post and beam carpentry, chisel work...and the roof didn't leak! I bet that gal sleeps mighty well at night. This was just amazing to watch. Well done! Thanks for posting!

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John Droz's avatar

SM: TY for watching it. Yes, being blown away is an appropriate assessment. It will be interesting to see how many readers will take the time to watch this.

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Senior Moments's avatar

I for one will watch it again, I learned so much the first time around. The winch system, using the levers, everything was so clever. I wish I knew who she was.

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Potatodots's avatar

Wow!!!

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John Droz's avatar

Potatodots: Good word...

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Bonnie J. Toomey's avatar

Amazing!

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John Droz's avatar

Bonnie: Yes!

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