I am William the Cooper and I make barrels. I need a lot of tools for making barrels. I use plains, a drawknife, oak staves, hoops, and an iron. The first steps I do are cut strips of oak wood and dip them in water because it makes them bend easier. Then I cut them into staves then I stand a set of shaped staves on end inside a stout trust hoop. Next I tighten the staves together so it makes a complete barrel.

    I could not make my barrels without a Cabinet Maker. He will trade me a chair to use when I am tired. I depend on a farmer for oak wood. I trade with the Black Smith for a drawknife. The Inn Keeper needs my barrels to store syrup and flour. The Baker needs my work for putting flour in. Potter needs my little barrels for storing water in so she does not get dry hands.

The barrel on the left is one I made to hang in front of my shop.  The barrels on the right are examples of types of barrels that I would make.

Click on the barrel to see a reproduction of a cooper' shop.