Rough sawn timber is honest material. It comes off the sawmill full-sized, carries the marks of the blade, and costs less than surfaced stock. It is also never quite the size you ordered. An “8×8” from a good sawyer might
Building with Rough Sawn Timber: Square Rule Layout Guide Read More »
The King Post Truss to Plate Connection is a crucial structural element in timber framing. The bottom chord is joined to the rafter using a traditional mortise and tenon joint at the point where the rafter meets the plate. This
King Post Truss to Plate Connection Read More »
There are four layout rules, or systems, in timber framing today. Within those, there are countless combinations in-between. These layout systems are used when you are laying out or marking the joinery on your timbers before cutting them. There are
Timber Frame Layout Rules Read More »
Timber frame layout is pretty simple, in concept. Just put the marks in the right places, then cut to the marks … maybe a bit intimidating when faced with a bundle of timbers for the first time without someone else to take the lead. We’ve all been there…
Timber Frame Layout Methods Read More »
Anyone interested in timber framing should be familiar with Tedd Benson’s first book. Published in 1980, it became the Bible for timber framers, and there’s a lot of useful information. Since then, timber framing has come a long way in terms of the available tools…
Fitting Up A Knee Brace Read More »
The tools of the trade that have evolved for working wood all derive from the simplest forms: axe, adze, chisel. Within those forms, much variation exists. In terms of function, they may be divided into carving tools and joinery tools. Function is determined by form.
Tools of the Trade Read More »
I was teaching timber framing to a group of students, and we were holding bimonthly sessions. One session only one student showed up. He and I talked over what could we do that was interesting or different for us to
How to Make and Use Curved Knee Brace Stock Read More »
We know that sometimes seeing it in action is better than a picture AND a thousand words – so we have scoured the web to find what we feel like are the best videos to illustrate cutting traditional mortise and tenon joinery.
Best Mortise and Tenon Videos Read More »
The Rothoblaas X10 is a moment post base, which means structurally the post is a fixed end and supports the moment forces in the structure. This allows you to simplify your design and do away with some supporting beams and
Rothoblaas X10 Moment Post Base Simplifies Post and Beam Read More »
As beautifully crafted as some mallets are, at the end of the day, they’re a blunt instrument. Although designed to hit chisels and other tools, mallets are not without their own set of attributes. The best mallet for timber framing is
What’s The Best Mallet for Timber Framing? Read More »
When it comes to deciding on a hand saw for timber framing, keep your thinking simple. Hand saws are centuries-old tools and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. Just ask yourself three basic questions. Does it
What is the Best Hand Saw for Timber Framing? Read More »
Features & SpecsPractical DetailsVideos Used for thousands of years by woodworkers around the world, the mortise and tenon joint is both simple and strong, and a critical link in building a timber frame. You could do it the old fashioned
Makita Chain Mortiser Review Read More »
