Learn traditional timber framing through step-by-step instruction covering tools, timber preparation, layout, construction methods, and practical building techniques. These guides are based on real-world experience designing and building heavy timber structures.
Tools Needed to Layout and Cut a Timber Frame Layout – Cutting – Raising Use this list to get the tools you will need to begin your timber frame project. The following allows you to explore both hand tool and power tool approaches. It is easy to become tool infatuated! […]
Essential Timber Frame Tool List Read More »
Keeping track of timbers in timber frame construction is important. A good organization system is paramount when it comes to both ordering timbers and organizing cut and completed pieces. When you build a timber frame structure labeling of each timber is vital. This process allows you to keep track of
Timber Frame Labeling and Numbering Guide Read More »
Most large timbers that are sawn for framing never make it to a 4-sided planer. Even with an experienced sawyer and a top-notch mill there will be variation in the cross-sectional sizing of the timbers. When the framer begins to build with these irregular timbers, it’s imperative that there is
Building with Rough Sawn Timber Read More »
Hand Raising a Timber Frame Raising timber frames is heavy stuff. Sometimes a small frame can be raised with a small crew working on “apple” power. We used this traveling frame to showcase our work. You can do the same as we. It was a great start to get into
How to Raise a Small Timber Frame Read More »
We understand Sketchup users’ needs to have their modeling work turned into some quantifiable information. As great as Sketchup is for creating concepts and renderings, it does have some shortcomings when it comes to quickly and accurately producing useful information such as Cut lists, Timber lists, Parts lists, and Production
Create Timber Lists from Your Sketchup Model Read More »
First things first, you have to get a solid understanding of a proper timber frame brace layout. The knee brace is the fundamental element of a timber frame structure. Although it looks simple at first glance there are many ways to get off track when laying out your knee brace
Timber Frame Brace Layout Guide Read More »
A Better Way for Timber Frame Knee Braces The Joint and Peg team recommends that you typically always have the knee braces of a timber frame suspended from the beam when you are flying the beam during a raising. We find that most do not do this. Assuming you have
How to Fit Timber Frame Knee Braces Read More »
Find the center of a circle! Look above, many times this will be called upon in the tradesman toolbox. Fear not fellow tradespeople, follow the instructions below. Also helpful for drafters, architects, and whoever else is trying to find that elusive center of a circle. While we are at it,
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Cut a timber with a Handsaw. With an understanding of handsaw basics, it is pretty easy to do it correctly. In short, do not ever cut any lines that you can’t see with a hand saw. Its 3 Steps. Layout some practice lines on your timber (the part that is