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Post by Red on Jun 3, 2015 22:57:31 GMT -5
It's very good that you're thinking about timber framing in this way, Holmz. I usually tell anyone who's interested in trying the craft to start out with something small before investing too much [of any resource] in a construction project.
In your case, you're seriously looking into building a model -- a very wise choice -- so I think that you're already ahead of the game. The complexity of the model will speak volumes about how complicated or simple your project should be.
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Post by holmz on Jun 4, 2015 3:32:08 GMT -5
I am also thinking about doing a course.
Just not sure if they are worth it, and then not sure if I should do the course before I do a model or after.
I am leaning towards the books and the model, and then the course to maximise the learning in the course.
To play devil advocate, I should do the course first to avoid bad habits and then drive it home with the books and the model.
There do seem to be week long courses in the Upper NE of the US, as well as in Canada. And I have also seen longer courses in Canada.
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Post by Red on Jun 5, 2015 3:56:03 GMT -5
If you’re seriously considering working on a timber frame, Holmz, I would definitely take a traditional timber framing course. Not only would such a course go a long way toward avoiding the development of bad habits, but it would also answer any lingering questions and/or doubts that you may have about whether or not you want to invest the time required to undertake such a task.
Don’t get me wrong; I believe that a timber frame (TF) represents one of the finest wooden structures ever conceived. The idea that a hard-working person, employing nothing more than traditional hand tools and renewable resources, can take saw logs from standing timber to a framework that – when carefully laid out, cut and assembled – can stand for hundreds of years is pretty damn liberating … and if one puts the beauty of the concept aside, a TF is especially attractive to forest land owners or others with access to saw logs.
If I were starting from scratch, I would read certain books – paying particular attention to proper layout practices – and try cutting some simple traditional joinery before building a model of a home.
I recently supervised the construction of a pair of trestle ponies. Not only are they integral to cutting joinery into heavy timbers, but they would also make a perfect project for a novice.
There are a lot of timber framing books out there that are little more than a collection of pretty photos. There are authors out there that don’t seem to know the meaning of the word “traditional,” as well … so, if you like, I could send you a short list of books that actually do a pretty good of conveying the important basics of the craft.
There’s also an organization here in Mass that promotes the art of timber framing. I could get in touch with them and inquire about when certain master timber framers are planning to teach novice-level training courses. Who knows, you may even get the opportunity to train under one of the author’s on my book list … and, once again, I cannot stress the benefits of taking a training course strongly enough.
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Post by holmz on Jun 5, 2015 6:04:57 GMT -5
double p. p. post
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Post by holmz on Jun 5, 2015 6:06:24 GMT -5
If you’re seriously considering working on a timber frame, Holmz,...
...
I cannot stress the benefits of taking a training course strongly enough. I hear you and PM sent. You, my friend, are a gentleman  |
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Post by Red on Jun 5, 2015 15:00:47 GMT -5
I hear you and PM sent. You, my friend, are a gentleman
Why don't you give 'er another try? If I get the PM, I'll try to get back to you
tonight. I'm in the middle of an ICF job right now, so I won't be back in front
of my Mac until about 11:00 PM EDT.
My best advice 'til then is to work on a 1/2 slab or a caucasian ... It is Friday,
after all.
Until then ... |
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Post by holmz on Jun 5, 2015 17:09:56 GMT -5
I hear you and PM sent. You, my friend, are a gentleman
Why don't you give 'er another try? If I get the PM, I'll try to get back to you
tonight. I'm in the middle of an ICF job right now, so I won't be back in front
of my Mac until about 11:00 PM EDT.
My best advice 'til then is to work on a 1/2 slab or a caucasian ... It is Friday,
after all.
Until then ... Must be why I got a double post. I didn't have vodka or Kalua, so there was no caucus. |
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Post by Red on Jun 10, 2015 23:19:40 GMT -5
In an effort to put a little closure on the thoughts we were exchanging in this thread, Holmz ... I want see -- when the time is right, mind you -- what your concept(s) look like. It's your home, so, by all means, the overall design starts with the person paying the bills (the home owner).
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