Over the last two decades, the historic craft of timber framing in residential construction has experienced a revival. Experience the fundamentals of designing and constructing a timber frame using mortise and tenon joinery. Students will learn layout techniques, tool use and sharpening, and joinery cutting methods as we work on a small timber frame project, […]
In this course, we will cover the architectural and structural basics for designing timber frame structures that are both functional and beautiful. It is geared towards timber framers who want to know where to place timbers, how to size them, which wooden joints to select, and why. We will cover design and drafting principles required […]
OVERVIEW: Here is an opportunity to learn the few, but necessary, knots (a dozen or so) needed by the timber framer to safely lift heavy loads and tying off timbers for shipment. Students will practice these knots until they own them. All the elements of a knot, bend, and hitch will be covered. The rigging […]
Designed to teach the fundamentals of historic timber framing to students of all skill levels, this course offers the opportunity to construct a timber frame structure incorporating traditional mortise & tenon and other joints. Students gain an understanding of the layout and construction of historic timber frames, including barns and dwellings, as they construct a […]
An in-depth, hands-on workshop in which you’ll raise a beautiful timber-framed structure as part of a team. You’ll learn how to read plans, prepare layouts, use the tools of the timber framing trade, and cut posts, beams, and bracing with mortise and tenon joinery using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques. During […]
A Guide to Understanding, Documenting, and Repairing Historic Timber Framed Buildings Beginning with a brief history of the craft of timber framing and an understanding of historic joinery and traditional layout systems, participants will learn methods for documenting and dating historic structures with both traditional methods and high-tech gadgetry. The course will address the evolution […]
Scribing is an art as much as a craft, requiring a good eye and a steady hand. It involves laying out and transferring joinery intersections from one timber to another using plumb bobs, levels, and marking devices instead of tape measures and math. This traditional method is useful for incorporating out-of-square, naturally curved, or oddly […]
Over the last two decades, the historic craft of timber framing in residential construction has experienced a revival. Experience the fundamentals of designing and constructing a timber frame using mortise and tenon joinery. Students will learn layout techniques, tool use and sharpening, and joinery cutting methods as we work on a small timber frame project, […]
This class is taught by an experienced builder of timber-framed structures, Chris Newman, and by a structural engineer with decades of experience, Tom Nehil. Both are members of the Timber Framers Guild. Students can expect to begin hands-on learning within a few hours of the first day of class. Tom will discuss design elements and […]
This 2-day course is a brief introduction to the concept of square rule timber framing. Perfect for students with a budding interest in timber framing but aren't ready to commit to a full week course. We'll go over basic layout concepts and terminology and every student will get some hands on experience cutting joinery. Competency: […]
OVERVIEW: The majority of historic timber framed structures in the United States built before 1800 were scribed using a system brought here from the British Isles. It did not involve the use of plumb bobs, piquage, or full-size drawings lofted on a shop floor. It was a simple, direct method using primarily the square that […]