Primitive Technology: Water powered hammer (Monjolo)

I built a water powered hammer called a “Monjolo” (see also karausu (からうす) on google images). I started by making a water spout from half a hollow log to direct water from the creek. This was set up in the creek and water flowed through it. The hammer was made from a fallen tree. I cut it to size by burning it at the points I wanted it cut (to save effort chopping). Next I carved a trough in one end to catch falling water. This was done first with a stone chisel that was then hafted to an L–shaped handle and used as an adze. This adze only took about an hour to make as I already had the chisel head and cordage made of bark fibre to bind it with.
To save further effort carving I used hot coals from the fire to char the wood in the trough. I put the coals in using “chopsticks” (unused arrow shafts) to transfer them from the pit. The coals were fanned or blown with a wooden blowpipe till the wood in the trough burned. Then the char was scraped out. The sides of the trough were sealed with clay to make sure the wooden sides did not burn away which would effectively decrease the volume of the trough. This was approximately 8 hours work over two days.
With the trough carved I made a hole in the middle of the log as a pivot point. Using the same char and scrape method I burnt a hole right through the log using hot coals and a blow pipe. Again clay was used to prevent wood burning where it was wanted. To burn through the approximately 25 cm diameter log it took about 4 hours and 30 minutes. Another hole was burnt in the end to fit the wooden hammer head and it took a similar amount of time.
A tripod lashed with loya cane was set up at the water spout. The axel of the hammer was tied to one leg, the hammer fitted onto the axel and the other end of the axel tied to another leg. The trough was positioned under the waterspout to collect water and the tripod adjusted so that the resting point of the hammer was horizontal (so water wouldn’t prematurely spill out of the trough).
The trough filled with water, outweighed the hammer head and tilted the hammer up into the air. The water then emptied out of the trough (now slanting downwards) and the hammer then slammed down onto an anvil stone returning to its original position. The cycle then repeated at the approximate rate of one strike every 10 seconds. The hammer crushes small soft types of stone like sandstone or ochre. I carved a bowl into the anvil stone so that it would collect the powder. I then crushed old pottery (useful as grog for new pots) and charcoal. Practically speaking, this hammer worked ok as a proof of concept but I might adjust it or make a new one with a larger trough and bigger hammer for heavy duty work.
This is the first machine I’ve built using primitive technology that produces work without human effort. Falling water replaces human calories to perform a repetitive task. A permanent set up usually has a shed protecting the hammer and materials from the weather while the trough end sits outside under the spout. This type of hammer is used to pulverise grain into flour and I thought I might use one to mill dry cassava chips into flour when the garden matures. This device has also been used to crush clay for porcelain production. A stone head might make it useful as a stamp mill for crushing ores to powder. It might pulp fibres for paper even.
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[Alfosan]

This kind of automation stole the jobs of a whole generation in 6000BC.

[TaterChip]

I like the fact you can use fire to harden wood but also use it to "drill" a hole through it and make it easier to work with

[Mikeztarp]

One of the many things that I love about this channel is how it goes straight to the point. Most people would try to act cool and make themselves appear interesting, or funny, or whatever; they would make it about themselves. This guy just lets the work speak for itself, and his explanations are clear and concise but complete.

[rangerdoc]

Fascinating how every tiny improvement on primitive living, no matter how inefficient, is still better than nothing.

[sophovot]

Imagine going on a walk through the woods and finding an automatic hammer just smashing up some pottery on its own. I'd lose my mind

[MysticExile]

There's something very soothing about listening to the flow of water and the steady thumping of that hammer.

[Hawkgoulet]

This guy is speed running human civilization.

[Rot_Soft]

Japan also have a separate use for basically the same mechanisms called the Shishi-odoshi (鹿威し) - meaning "Scare deer", which as the name suggests, would be placed in their garden to scare away deer from roaming on their land.

[camoflamer]

Your channel is the definition of quality over quantity

[DROIDZ_YouTube]

*Every upload is a reminder that Primitive Technology is the coolest channel on YouTube*

[SciShow]

I would like the hours and hours of unedited footage so I can watch it when I need to calm the frik down.
- Hank

[BornWin]

Plot twist: the richest squirrel there paid this man to make him the most environmentally friendly Nutcracker.

[WhereWhatHuh]

I don't know what's more fascinating: That he does all this advanced stuff in a primitive setting, or that he makes it look so easy... Too bad Gilligan didn't have this guy around.

[flowerflojo]

This guy hasn't said any word.
And yet I could still watch him for hours and hours, it will still be entertaining.

[nobody]

That sad feeling in the pit of your stomach when there are no more Primitive Technology videos to watch. :(

[jacksonwilson]

"hey son, go play outside."
"okay"
years later
"son?"

[Angloman]

I'm just waiting on him to advance to the Bronze Age so we can see how he's gonna make new tools

[edzzakky]

Practically the only youtube channel in 2017 without clickbait.

[thekingofcardboard]

Sees a log
"I could make an automatic hammer out of this."

I look in the fridge, packed to the brim with food
"What am I supposed to do with this? Guess it's mac and cheese with hot dogs again."

[Randoom]

Almost 10 million
Not a word
No asking for likes
no asking for subs
nothing
just a man doing what he enjoys
thats what youtube is all about

He recently hit 10 million
If you see this know
You damn well deserved it