Reclaiming myrtlewood from the beach. David Groth documentary, chapter 1 of 9.
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- This video is the first of 9 chapters in my 81 minute documentary titled "The creation of abstract form in wood: Carving sculptural tables." More information can be found on my website www.davidgroth.com . The first chapter begins at my home and takes you along with me as I search the beach to reclaim massive myrtlewood timbers and root sections. Bay laurel is my wood of choice for creating carved sculptures.
THIS MAN IS SUCH A GREAT ARTIST AND LOVE THE WAY HE LIVES WITH HIS ART.
Wow, My best friend, I liked the video very much, thanks you for sharing, stay safe, stay blessed
I've never seen so much, and such massive pieces of driftwood on a beach. What a great source for woodworkers.
You doing a good service here, you clean up the beach and get wood in return, this hero is an example of what we should be and everyone should follow in his foot steps.
Many thanks!!!
Some states it's illegal to remove driftwood. Especially with equipment, carrying a piece or two is usually ok, but not with a truck set up.
Not sure the justification. Maybe they don't want huge rigs on the beaches pulling huge redwood logs or stumps. I live in Northern California. Just what I've been told.
@@frankmorales9442 In areas protected for wildlife...Driftwood piles create habitat for native animals. Its legal unless there are special protections for the area.
This is so cool, I've been doing something similar in New Zealand where I live. My Maori ancestors were carvers and I'm keen on carrying on the tradition. Its amazing what good quality native timber you can come across when take a stroll down the beach or the river, especially after a flood.
You are a a True Renaissance Man. I have enjoyed watching a few of your videos and am glad I came upon your channel. I admire people who work in different mediums such as I. I find it impossible to focus upon one single Art form. Seems like me you are both blessed and cursed with a curious mind and way too many interests. Cheers Mate !
Quinton P. Young III great comment and I too suffer from the curse for seeing beauty in too many mediums. I am an electrical engineer by trade it I also own a custom woodcraft shop in Northern Arkansas and it is my true passion. While I would love to have more time to invest in my shop, I will retire in a couple years and then I’ll actually work harder than I do now but it will be something that I have wanted to dedicate my elder years to for a long time. Thank you for posting that comment and I wish good health and all the best to you and yours!
brilliant wish i'lived in you'r world david groth this is the life to live mate not many humans i'can say i'admire but you'r up there with my mam & dad thank you
max's adventures scotland
Very appreciative of your generous comment!
you'r very well come david groth im having a wee drink just now lol but off to watch some more of your amazing vids & guys like you i'do admire & full respect love how you bring life bk to the tree off the beach if you need an labourer give me a shout i'll be there asap lol cheers 'a'gain mate take care,bye for now & see you soon keep up the amazing work
Awesome art, house, and vibes.
You Sir ,have All my admiration.!
+Edison Urrego Very much appreciated!
Ingenious way to transport the wood. Wish I had access to burls like that.
Amazing rig on the truck, and what a great way to live.
It has worked out very useful for me!
MR. FIX-ALL INC. I
I've seen similar rigs on trucks that move burial vaults. Funny sort of connection. One truck used to move a new thing made for the dead and the other used to move a dead thing to make something new.
As for the actual setup, I would have a separate battery for the winch. With my luck, I'd kill the truck battery and be stuck on the beach.
Love it. This guy has done everything that I was thinking was necessary, and things I hadn't thought of. Extremely informative.
Glad you like it, thanks!
Oh that's you! I shoulda realized. Yeah this was a really helpful video and thanks for putting it together. I live in Illinois but we get a lot of trees on the banks of the Mississippi and Ohio. I've been curious about bringing some of it back to my little hobby shop and was trying to imagine how to load the bigger pieces onto a truck or trailer. Beautiful work by the way. Hope you put our more videos.
super work , enjoyed working style.
Thanks, your response to my work is really appreciated! David
You live in a nice place and work with the best stuff in the world! Greetings from Brazil!
Greetings from California and thanks!
PS I'm also a finish Carpenter woodworker what a nice set-up you have created good job
Glad you found my working process interesting...thanks for letting me know.
Lucky man to live where you do and master craftsman sadly we don’t get drift wood in the centre of Glasgow Scotland. Have subscribed 👍🏴
@DavidGrothsculpture OH wow! David, you replied to me!!!!. Thanks. Congrats on your great situation. I am a steel worker and been laid off for quite a bit now and if I had your situation I would be overjoyed. Only made one Locust wood sculpture in my life and am looking for a place and some wood for my next project. Right now I am nicely trying to get an olivewood stump to work on. San Diego Ca.
You have amazing strength Sir...
Even a bit more could be helpful at times.
C'est super tout ce bois a recuperer sans etre obliger dans couper; bravo a votre initiative!!
The frame on the back of his truck in the winch are completely terrific!
+John Godino
Works quite good.
I would love to be there. Here in ireland east coast i would be luck to find one big piece on the whole beach. Or its just really small bits. Just got into collecting driftwood. Need to learn now how to clean them up
Good!...keep up the tradition! I certainly like being able to reclaim carving materials from the beach rather than cutting down trees.
Wow great! love you job
Heard lots of stories as a kid from my dad/aunt.(Roger and Marty B) I'm sure u remember them...but it was cool to actually see some of what goes on into your work!!!
Hi Gabriel. Really great to hear from you! Of course I remember your father. I heard recently that he retired - congratulations!
Talented & knowledgeable man!
wow man I am really liking your work ...
That is a great set up!! Good job buddy
Thanks!
@m1stersawdust
Thanks for the feedback! Glad to hear you are reclaiming materials from the beach also. No carbide chain just good old sharpening and trying to remove all sand first. If in the Trinidad CA area give me a call.
Very good Sir.🇵🇹!
it's always good to see a square box Chevy at work. Respect!!!!
The truck certainly has done a lot of work for me.
Wonderful! That beach looks amazing - what a lifestyle!
to say you are talented is such an understatement Im not going to say it. (art in wording). I really want to thank whomever it was that talked you into documenting your process. so not only does your finished work inspire and awe those people that come into contact with it but now you are enriching all of us that learn from you. So a great big thanks to ya'll. I have some cool cedar stumps i found and their time has come. Thanks again, Bless you. didn't I see you do a Alaskan chainsaw mill video? pretty sure i did, you are one cool guy and just like me when I'm in a manic state of mind.
Thanks for the very generous comment...Julie gets a great amount of the credit for seeing that the process was documented. Yes we also made an Alaskan chainsaw milling video.
I like you work.
Good ,Good, good.
Many thanks!
I was wondering why you're so keen on using myrtewood? What makes it so special? Beautiful tables and look forward to seeing anything else you decide to post.
+Sergey F Myrtlewood generally has interesting grain patterns and varied color. The grain structure interweaves making it less likely to having sharp corners split off from my sculptures. Also this wood is particularly stable in the kiln drying process...very little cracking and warping.
The beach is your lumberyard how cool is that.
Driftwood heaven 😮
I saw a baby elephant head and a porpoise in that wood,it would be interesting to see what you make out of it.interesting video...thanks for uploading
wowww... you are my master ......
WOW thanks!
Dang.... Nice find for you.
I saw David Groth at the gym today, he was at the beach!
:-)
Have seldom seen the trick of letting out air from the tires to drive over sand. This really works, and people who've been stuck in sand in the past might have been able to get out by letting much of the air out of the tires. It increases the surface of the tire on the sand, lowering the pressure per square inch of the tire on the sand. Oh yeah, your wood working is wonderful too.
True on the first and thanks on the second.
I forgot to add that once you're out of the sand and back on pavement or solid ground, you'll need to re-inflate your tires. Carry a pump, a 12-volt electric air pump, or something similar when planning to drive on sand.
Fortunately I have been able to keep my right arm, and thanks for your response to my work! David
That's so awesome
You're work is amazing. And you seem like you'd be cool to hang out with too.
Have you made any hiking sticks out of any driftwood before?
amazing house
with all that travel and work to get those pieces i d think they would be kept off off the ground with something like patio blocks or pallets as they are weathered and aged as they wait , so they are not sinking or rotting.
that piece of wood looks like a mean snapping turtle..:)
This guy is a legend
That's a lot to live up to...thanks!
Where is this place ?
Your time is worth more than the time it takes to connect the winch every time. Hard wire it with an isolation switch. That way, all you have to do is flip a switch and you are ready to use your winch.
That would certainly save some time.
looks like the crane i used to use to move around cement casket vaults.
That will work too!
Don’t know where you’re located but it is beautiful spot
OMG. That beach would be my heaven lol. I would spend days looking. I live in the bush so no beaches lol. I gather my wood from the hills. And I lift it into the boot of my car. Poor car. I treat her like a ute eh. Cheers
@johnknoefler
Quite agree...now I'm ready to make my next find! Just need a good storm, David
hi you should make tutorials on how to texturise the wood as it looks great and I would love to know how!!!!!!
+Sebastian Henshaw
This video link in the series of 9 will demonstrate how I texture the surfaces ua-cam.com/video/8X2VhxvDeUM/v-deo.html
Wow ....nice .👍🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭👍👍👍
okokokokokokok,you got a new sub :)
I`m intrigued
i live in bali and i wish i had a truck like that and some place to collect all the wood that washes up to the shore in the rainy season, its just too much and so sad to see it go to waste
Glad I am able to utilize some of the wood washed up along the beach.
David Groth "some", looks like a blessing that beach, and that you can freely access it with your truck..blessed! great work!
There aren't that many places on the beaches any more that I can collect wood...more and more restrictions.
Awesome!
Wow, thanks!
Thank you for the repsonse David, but ive been meaning to ask you and i hope you dont mind sharing some of you secrets... Normally i finish the wood furnitures I make at home with staining it, I want it flat and not shiny finish, but I have been searching for a finish thats flat but not staining the wood, i wish to just retain the beauty of how the color of the wood is and the function of the finishing chemical is just to protect the wood. Do you have any suggestion what finishing agent or chemical i should be looking for?
jogtg
This is the finish I use. Hope it will be helpful!
1/3 boiled linseed oil, 1/3 thinner, 1/3 polyurethane, and grated beeswax melted together to the consistency of cream. Rub the finish (very thin coating) into the wood and when it is dry (probably a day or two) buff it out. You can repeat the process a couple times to have a more durable surface. The finish is liquid resistant, however not liquid proof. This formula is very close to Sam Maloof's formula published in Fine WoodWorking November/December 1980.
Heat mixture then gradually add grated bees wax in a double boiler. Take small portions and cool (for example a tablespoon of mixture in the frigerator) until mixture is the consistency of heavy cream at room temperature
David Groth Wow darling youre the sweetest! Thank you for taking time to give me the detailed info, it means alot to me, even architects here were not able to give this kind of concoction! You must be a Merlin! Lol.... I will try this mixture in my next project, id like to make a cabinet for my sewing machines and makeup kits. I hope tho to find that oil you mentioned and beeswax here... since youre the coolest, subscribe button here I come! Mwaaaaaah!
What about those little powder beetles? I've had a lot of trouble with those in bay. As far as I can tell, they need a certain moisture content, but they get into the wood outdoors pretty fast as soon as the wood dies. I've had them show up in finished objects stored in a shed or trailer or something like that where the moisture level is just slightly high in the winter. I mean to the point where you could break a once solid piece of wood apart with your hands and it's mostly powder inside. I always wondered if a finish of some kind would deter them from entering the wood once objects are finished.
+SkillCult I have found when I kiln dry my sculptured at 130 degrees Fahrenheit that all of the post beetles have been killed.
+David Groth Thanks for your reply. My problem has been more with them showing up later, even after years of objects being dried and seasoned. Again though, I think it's an issue of humidity. It's also hard to find any standing dead wood they haven't got into already, but maybe driftwood is less prone to that problem too for some reason.
+SkillCult Wood stored anywhere there are active post beetles will get infected with those critters. I don't think a finish will keep them out. I haven't had a problem with my indoor finished pieces since I make sure there are no other wood objects around with the beetles. Driftwood is just as prone to the beetle problem.
how do you know if the wood is healthy enough to use?
Look at all that wood lying around
@toppertruthio
I'll see what I see after carving. Thanks for the feedback on my video! David
Parabéns, você está reproduzindo meus sonhos.
Nice burly rootwad!! There are some gems on our beaches. I live in Port Orford Oregon.
I've enjoyed all of your videos. I love this one. Good to see im not the only one crazy enough to get thousand pound+ chunks of wood home..Sweet set up on your wench rack. Do you use a carbide chain when roughing out your beach wood?
Love your work! Id love to see it in person!
cool thanks
If your just looking for myrtlewood it might be hard looking, but damn. I could use any of that stuff.
+Kiki Lang
Yes, there is an amazing amount of wood that I don't use and won't work for my purpose.
i found a big chunk of mahogany on the beach just south of san francisco. i made a bench w/ it.
Since this video is the first in a series of 9 videos, I was assuming that the other ones in the series would be numbered as well. I can';t seem to find the other ones. I wonder if they are numbered?
Can anyone post a link to the others in the series?
On this page you will find links to the videos numbered and in sequential order davidgroth.com/video%20links.htm
Thank you David. I'm going to enjoy this immensely.
With all due respect, I'd like to make a suggestion which would help future viewers to locate your videos very easily.
The way you currently have them titled is, again with all due respect, preventing viewers from easily locating the others in this series. There is a format that should be used. This format makes locating specific videos easy and logical. (I'm crossing my fingers that I'm not insulting you because that is not my intention.)
When titling the individual videos in a series (or any series) you should use the common part of the title or name of the series first (in this first part of the title you might want to include a description that explains the whole series which you use in your description but is not actually used in the individual titles as shown here on UA-cam), followed by the number in the series of that particular video along with the total number of videos in the series, followed by the individual title for that specific video.
The common part of the title or name of THIS series is "David Groth documentary".
An example of the numbers you use in this series of videos is "chapter 1 of 9".
A specific title example is "Reclaiming myrtlewood from the beach".
THIS video should be titled; David Groth documentary, chapter 1 of 9 "Reclaiming myrtlewood from the beach"
The next one in the series would be;
David Groth documentary, chapter 2 of 9 "A studio discussion of creating abstract form in wood"
Another way would be;
The creation of abstract form in wood: Carving sculptural tables, chapter 1 of 9 "Reclaiming myrtlewood from the beach"
The next one in the series would be;
The creation of abstract form in wood: Carving sculptural tables, chapter 2 of 9 "A studio discussion of creating abstract form in wood"
Using this system allows viewers to find all the videos in the series easily when doing a search. All they need do is plug in the title of the series which in this case would be either;
David Groth documentary
or
The creation of abstract form in wood: Carving sculptural tables
I'm taking the time posting this because because your videos are fantastic. They're interesting and informative but there also entertaining even for people who aren't woodworkers or as creative as you are.
I hope I haven't insulted you with this post but It would be a shame if those who wanted to see all of them couldn't find them.
Thanks for the videos.
You are so lucky I live in UK we get nothing on our beaches...
Yes so far I am lucky!
i like the kind of wood
+Roland Strykala Me too!
David Groth
i saw it. look at my homepage, if you're interested. you will see what i am doing
Your comments are much appreciated, thanks!
Where are you located? Taking driftwood from public beaches is restricted in many areas.
I'm in Northern California...and yes there are more and more beaches restricted.
Glad you still have some beaches open.
Surpised it is a) legal for you to be driving on the beach and b) legal for you to take the wood from the beach. Around here - you can't even take a seashell legally unless you own the property (and even then it might be illegal).
It is very limited the number of beach areas and times of the year wood can be collected..and then a permit is required. Hopefully I will be able into the future continue collecting wood from these beaches otherwise the only alternative is to harvest trees.
Triste es estar convencido de que haya que tener permisos especiales para esto. Podrá incluirse en la legalidad, pero nunca en la legitimidad. Mis respetos David por tan basta idea!
I carve many types of wood but I don't know what Myrtlewood smells like . can you tell me?
+Jo Ann Fowler The closest I can come to a similar fragrance would be the American bay leaf, which is a bit stronger than the European bay leaf. Myrtlewood and bay are the same tree.
I would like a chunk of that wood and put it on the lathe and see what I can make.
:-)
Wood treasures
Молодец, маэстро!!!
amazing
Amazing the amount of wood out there and such a small percentage is what I'm looking for carving with. Thanks!
yeah seeing all the wood was wicked. your videos are very inspiring ^_^ I usually draw stuff so seeing someone else put so much detail on their craft is very motivating.
Very glad to hear it!
Good WorkingWorking
+Derouiche Mohamed Thanks!
Where are you ?! It like wood working heaven :-)
web1187
Northern California...in the redwoods.
Im gonna have to come out that way some day
Youre a cutie David... I luv your smile!
jogtg
😃👍
In stead of hacking on it with that ax, he'd do better to have a cordless drill with a bit where he could drill out some wood to snell and not leave a big scar like he does.
What is the smell you are trying to fined?
The fragrance of myrtlewood or bay tree is very similar to bay leaf used in cooking.
Qué playas son? Saludos!
The beaches are in Northern California, USA. Saludos!
Why has the beach got so much drift wood??
+Sebastian Henshaw
This beach is very close to the mouth of a river. When the river floods trees are washed out to sea and storms drive the logs back onto the nearby beach.
Truck,,,,,,,, the tires make it possible.
Is myrtlewood the simmler to driftwood.
Ambrose Mackinnon
I would imagine all of the wood on the beach could be referred to as driftwood. Myrtlewood is probably about 1% of the wood on the beach in the video.
when you chop it you can smell that it's.....
What did he say there?
Smells like the bay leaf used in cooking.
WAW 👏 merci 🇵🇹
Is That A Diesel Truck derrrrrrrrrrr
Como seria Bom se eu morasse aí perto isso é pra mim um shopping
sim muito bom.
nice,where do you live
+Shawn P
Pacific Northwest, in the redwoods.
Hi I just subscribed and liked your Channel. Good idea with your pond can go fishing with in it and you decide you want to go fishing what a deal!
Tell me what do you think about what UA-cam's doing with the smaller creators going from 10 thousand, hours to a thousand subscribers? How would it affect you what would you be thinking, what would you do?
Easy To tips and tricks Etc Etc
Hi, I was’t aware of the new policy...actually I don’t receive money on any of my movies because of not allowing ads. I’ve been offered sums of money from advertisers for one of my films that is something like 4 million viewings.
You live in Paradise 😂