Timber framing a medieval capstan

This video captures the making of a medieval style capstan we will use for the raising of our cabin. The basic design came from timber framer Jim Rogers, who was kind enough to share his plans. We made our frame of 6x6 White Oak, the braces and stretchers are also white oak, and a bit of yellow pine was used for the yolk. The axle was made from Black Gum, a very tough and split resistant wood. The axle pin is a bit of antique wrought iron bar, about 1 1/4 " thick, which had flats filled on one end and the other left round to spin freely in its housing. In combination with a block and tackle this device is capable of huge feats of strength. As the axle is about 8inches in diameter and the handles are 8 feet long, the capstan alone give a 12 to 1 mechanical advantage to any force applied.