Froe-down

We've been making wood shingles for the roof of our Tumbleweed house. 

We have several red oak trees that were blown down in a storm, about 24 inches in diameter.  The first step is to cut the trunks into rounds that are 20 inches long.  Each round is then split into pieces, half first, then half again, then half again...so that you end up with a pie-shaped chunk of wood about 1/8 of the round.  The center is split out of that (about 2 inches), leaving a slightly pie-shaped "bolt", approximately 3-4 inches thick. 

The bolt is taken to the board or shingle "brake", which clamps the bolt in and gives you a structure to leverage against.  With a wooden mallet, you drive in the shingle froe, the tool you see in this picture.  It splits each bolt into half, then half again...leaving you with shingles approximately 1/2 inch thick.  The shingle blank is then cleaned up--sapwood removed (because it rots faster) and edges evened. 

This picture shows the froe in action, with the homeowner doing the pounding and shingle making.  He has been involved in all stages of the project.  This froe was hand-forged by our friend Elmer Rousch, a local blacksmith.  If you want to see some amazing work, check out his website http://elmerroush.com/

Here are several split shingles, ready to be edged. 

So why go through all of this?  Historically, wood shingles were used when there were no alternatives.  However, they make an excellent roof that lasts a surprisingly long time.  A wood shingle roof can last 20-50 years, comparable or better than an asphalt shingle roof.  A metal roof has a long life-span, but involves mining and processing.  And a wood shingle roof looks super cool also!  On the down side, they are time-consuming to make by hand, although there are commercial products available. 

The result is just as good for you as a gym membership, but a lot prettier view, and more productive than the treadmill.