"Building The Timber Frame House"

[El Barto]

Since Mortise & Tenon's article "Carpentry Without Borders" I've become interested in traditional timber framing. I picked up this book (the title of this post) and it's full of good stuff. Are there any other books out there I should be looking at? Or any companies I should check out on Instagram or anything?

 

[HOJ]

Two others that I have in my collection are:
The Trada book:- Green Oak in Construction and Oak- framed buildings by Rupert Newman.

 

[pitch pine]

There is another American book by Jack Sobon and Roger Schroeder that I found useful "Timber Frame Construction".

 

[El Barto]

Thanks guys! Will check them out. From my limited research there doesn't seem to be much in the way of traditional UK timber framers (using axe, adze and the like). Not viable I suppose.

 

[Inspector]

If you look for Tedd Benson on Amazon you'll find some more of his books. Searching for Timber frame will net you more from other authors.

His company now. He isn't using a mallet and chisel much anymore.
https://bensonwood.com

I took a timber farming workshop with him in 1990. Enjoyed it immensely but never built that kind of home. Timber that large costs a bundle even in British Columbia where it is everywhere.

 

[MikeG.]

Thanks guys! Will check them out. From my limited research there doesn't seem to be much in the way of traditional UK timber framers (using axe, adze and the like). Not viable I suppose.

Whilst this is so, it's mainly because much of the oak comes from Europe and arrives here already ripped to (approximately) rectilinear sections. Axe and adze are mostly for use on the log. There are plenty of people bashing out mortise and tenons, dovetails and so on using chisel, mallet and handsaw, though. Obviously the big boys use chain mortisers and hand-held bandsaws, plus monster circular saws, but nonetheless, even they will be doing the final adjustments with hand tools.

 

[El Barto]

I took a timber farming workshop with him in 1990. Enjoyed it immensely but never built that kind of home. Timber that large costs a bundle even in British Columbia where it is everywhere.

That sounds amazing! I wonder if there's anything like that in the UK...

 

[AndyT]

The Weald and Downland Museum in Sussex run courses both theoretical and practical in timber building, eg this one on Timber Framing from Scratch:

https://wealddownland.digitickets.co.uk ... atID=6328&

 

[El Barto]

Wow that sounds great thanks Andy! Have you been on their courses before? If so, any good? Definitely sounds up my street...

 

[MikeG.]

The Weald and Downland Museum in Sussex run courses both theoretical and practical in timber building, eg this one on Timber Framing from Scratch:

https://wealddownland.digitickets.co.uk ... atID=6328&

Never mind the course......anyone with an interest in timber frame building and our built heritage should treat the place as a site of pilgrimage. It is truly wonderful. The gridshell structure there is something of a missed opportunity, in my view, although it is wonderful on the inside. The ancient buildings are just fantastic.

 

[El Barto]

It does look fascinating. I'd never heard of it until Andy's post. Going to try and get down there next week...

 

[Beau]

Not read it but often hear Walter Segal referred to https://www.amazon.co.uk/Out-Woods-Ecol ... 1898049122

 

[MikeG.]

Segal had his own post-and-beam style, which was quite different from traditional timber framing. Think "Potton Homes" rather than Wealden house or thatched cottage.

 

[AndyT]

Wow that sounds great thanks Andy! Have you been on their courses before? If so, any good? Definitely sounds up my street...

No direct experience, I was just aware of the place and their work in the world of historic buildings.
As Mike says, well worth a visit for all sorts of reasons.

 

[pitch pine]

I did a course about 15 years ago run by a guy called Henry Russell. He is a really good teacher and knowledgeable about the history of timber framing. We were building a cruck frame with hand tools. I remember seeing a boring machine for the first time, and using hand ripsaws and a slick to clean up the tenons.

 

[AJB Temple]

There are numerous books. PM me and I will send some recommendations. Or you can visit and I will talk you through tools and techniques. This is not typical DIY stuff.

Green oak timber framing is a bit addictive, but no mean undertaking. I have built 5 timber framed barn type buildings in total (all for myself). You need seriously heavy duty tools, and unless you have a lot of labour to hand, you will need a serious heavy duty hoist to erect anything. For raising I did all mine assisted by my wife and son (now aged 21) and it was a serious challenge.

Green oak, even in modest dimensions, such as 9" by 9" beams say 6 metres long (I know, mixed dimensions) will give you a serious work out getting them onto your work trellises on your own.

I encourage anyone to do it. But building a barn or a house is a big deal on your own. (And forget using mates to help with lifting. Unless they know what they are doing and will obey your instructions straight away, it is dangerous).

 

[El Barto]

I did a course about 15 years ago run by a guy called Henry Russell. He is a really good teacher and knowledgeable about the history of timber framing. We were building a cruck frame with hand tools. I remember seeing a boring machine for the first time, and using hand ripsaws and a slick to clean up the tenons.

I Googled him and the most recent course I could find by him was in 2015. He certainly seems to be the guy to go to though, hopefully that wasn't his last course.

There are numerous books. PM me and I will send some recommendations. Or you can visit and I will talk you through tools and techniques. This is not typical DIY stuff.

Green oak timber framing is a bit addictive, but no mean undertaking. I have built 5 timber framed barn type buildings in total (all for myself). You need seriously heavy duty tools, and unless you have a lot of labour to hand, you will need a serious heavy duty hoist to erect anything. For raising I did all mine assisted by my wife and son (now aged 21) and it was a serious challenge.

Green oak, even in modest dimensions, such as 9" by 9" beams say 6 metres long (I know, mixed dimensions) will give you a serious work out getting them onto your work trellises on your own.

I encourage anyone to do it. But building a barn or a house is a big deal on your own. (And forget using mates to help with lifting. Unless they know what they are doing and will obey your instructions straight away, it is dangerous).

I'm not too fussed about building anything of my own at the moment, it just looks like a really interesting thing to learn. This course a few years ago (taught by the aforementioned Henry Russell) looks really cool: https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.u ... _flyer.pdf

 

[El Barto]

AJB Temple - I dropped you a PM a little while ago, let me know if you got it!

 

[AJB Temple]

Not as far as I know. But I have been on holiday for three weeks and only check in sporadically.

 

[El Barto]

Hmmm will try again