I recently attended a week-long timber framing workshop given by the Shelter Institute in Woolwich, Maine. I cannot recommend this class enough, it was thorough, it was Galootish, it was awesome! I've never had as much fun in a class as I have in this one.
Pat Hennin and his three children (Raoul,Gaius and Blueberry) did an outstanding job in educating us in the joys of timber framing using hand tools only. This was the thirtieth year they've been doing this, 4 classes a year. Pat assured me that he and his wife built at least 30 houses by themselves using only hand tools and a come-along, years ago when they started.
I met some amazing people during the course of the class and I left feeling sure I can build my own house with my own two hands, in time and under budget!
The first day we drafted the entire building. On day two we sharpened our tools and started cutting joints. Day 3 and 4 saw more joint cutting and going out to houses they have built previously and on day 5 we erected the whole structure.
Click on each picture for a larger view.
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The group was split into pairs and each pair assigned to a timber. Here's a picture of my buddy Ricky cutting into an 8x8 with his new Zorin Silky. Do not use your thumb to help start a cut with this saw, DAMHIKT. |
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A view of the back of the barn that we were working in. |
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What the well-dressed Galoot takes to a timber framing class. I added the wheels to my Japanese-style toolbox at the last minute. They would've worked OK if it wasn't for the snow, so I ended up carrying that blasted box everywhere. Right behind the box you can sort of see the saw tote I made, with my giant slick resting on top of it. I used one of the saws once, the teeth were all too fine so I used the Zorin for the rest. The slick was too big for the kind of work I was using it for, so I used the one I got from David Lucier instead, thanks David. Also in the picture is my handmade mallet, I cut up an old bread-cutting board and glued it together. I preferred to use my club made from a piece of firewood, it worked very well and received several compliments. |
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A view of post #1, the one we worked on.
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#1 from the other side.
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Yours truly shaving a tenon. Note the extended pinky.
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The first brace erected.
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 | The complete building. The posts are numbered from left to right, front to back, left front is 1, left middle is 4 etc. |
 | Close-up of post 1. |
 | Close-up of post 2. |
 | Close-up of post 3. |
 | Close-up of post 4. |
 | Close-up of post 5. |
 | Close-up of post 6. |
 | Close-up of post 7. |
 | Close-up of post 8. |
 | Close-up of post 9. |
So don't think about it any more, just sign up, you'll have a blast!
Email me at adriaang@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
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