Sunday, June 1, 2008

Get Framed!

         
Cross-cut saws, chisels, boring machines, and mallets were the tools at hand this week as we learned how to lay out our frame and cut joinery for our timber frame structure. 

Check out this beautiful tenon
      

The first bent of our frame, up and braced.



After cutting out all the joinery for our frame, each bent is assembled on the ground and then tilted up into its correct position onto the sill plate.  The joinery for all of our posts, beams and knee braces is mortise and tenon with pegs made from an ash tree.  The posts are toe-nailed into the sill plate with timber-lock screws.  
We put all of the first floor structure up on Friday afternoon, and celebrated with a group photo, followed by group beers!
    
Saturday morning, the crane showed up at the site, and with his help, we were able to place the ridge beam (with scarf joint) and rafters into place.  I think we were all a little surprised and excited to be putting this large frame together so successfully.  
How special to put together such a  beautiful structure, with a relationship to our frame from start to finish.




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