Beemer - Learn to timber frame: craftsmanship, simplicity, timeless beauty

In memory of Ed Levin, who taught us the love of timber framing

Thanks to Jack Sobon for providing the original design and so much inspiration over the years; to Dave Carlon for helping me teach and cut so many of these frames with students; to Tom Barfield for suggesting this book and for his continued support; and to the many students who learned to build these frames and the clients who were brave enough to let them.

This book is intended to introduce readers to the concepts of timber framing small buildings similar to those shown. The structural engineering formulas and recommendations are meant to be guidelines only and should not be used as the sole factors in determining appropriate design for all conditions. The author and publisher advise that anyone not trained in structural engineering get professional assistance from a licensed engineer before proceeding with construction and follow all applicable state and local building codes. Take proper safety precautions before using potentially dangerous tools and equipment or undertaking potentially dangerous activities. Be alert and vigilant while operating heavy machinery.

There are pursuits in life that go beyond providing the necessities for our existence, that elevate us above the workaday world, that captivate our imaginations and give us purpose in life. The craft of timber framing is one of those pursuits. It has all the necessary ingredients: a rich historical background that conjures up visions of medieval halls, ornate temples, and pioneer dwellings; a connection to our mother earth (trees are a renewable resource utilized by humans for thousands of years); and a physical, tangible reward for our toil in the form of structures that last for generations. The gratification found in timber framing goes far beyond that of most crafts. We are surrounded by our creative work as it shelters us, enhancing our lives. And what about durability? Timber-framed buildings can certainly last a lifetime, more often centuries. Long after completion, they stand as a testament to our efforts.

This ancient craft, having served humankind for at least 7,000 years, was threatened by the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution, and became especially endangered in the mid-twentieth century. Old ways and old things were being replaced by the wonders of the new age. Television, plastics, and space travel occupied the minds of most Americans. Plywood, steel, and concrete defined the building industry. It was an era of overcoming and subduing nature, not working with it. As we embraced and focused on new technologies, we were unfortunately leaving behind much knowledge of the old, traditional ways.

By the late 60s, many people were realizing that in our haste to modernize, we had given up some wonderful things. In the back-to-the-land movement that swept our country, timber framing figured prominently. It brought us back to nature, got us involved in building our own homes, and taught people to work together again toward a common good. The formation of the Timber Framers Guild was a result of that revival. Founded in 1985, it attracted craftsmen and enthusiasts from North America and around the world. Through its outreach, its educational workshops, and its publications, the Guild has fostered the growth of the craft and has assured that timber framing will endure.

Will Beemer has been a leader in the Guilds efforts, especially in its education programs. As an instructor at his Heartwood School and through the Guilds Apprentice Training Program, Will has been perfecting his instruction methods for decades. What follows is clear, concise instruction that will enable timber-frame enthusiasts to get started in the craft. By focusing on a small structure, one can easily learn the concepts, from layout to raising.

Welcome to the world of timber framing!

On a mountaintop in northwestern Connecticut is a collection of 40 or so rustic family camps, little cabins tucked away in the woods by a picturesque lake. Over the years, these families have expanded. As new generations are born and grow up, so grows the need for each group to have its own private space. Kids cabins and kitchen huts have popped up, as well as storage spaces for kayaks and other sporting and maintenance equipment. A number of these structures share a common origin. It all began in 1988 when one of the mountain residents took a woodworking class at the Heartwood School in western Massachusetts (see ).

The Heartwood schoolhouse, located in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, was built from trees on the site by the staff and students in 197879. The building houses an office, classroom, greenhouse, woodworking shop, library, and dining area.

Heartwood was founded in 1978 as an owner-builder school, teaching the skills needed to build ones own energy-efficient home. My wife, Michele, and I came to Heartwood as instructors in its third year; when the founders left for other things in 1985, we found ourselves running the show. Over the years, Heartwood has expanded to include timber framing and other woodworking skills, using actual projects as teaching tools. One of these projects is a 12 16-foot timber frame.

When our visitor from Connecticut came to Heartwood, he saw one of these classic frames being built. He realized that this type of building could fill his need for a tool shed and shop on his property and shortly thereafter commissioned one to be built by a Heartwood class. After this frame was completed, he ordered another frame that would become a sleeping cabin near the main house. Over the years, we built 10 more cabins for others on the mountain, each with variations to suit: some were a little larger or smaller, some had lofts or overhangs or different roof pitches. Many of the photos in this book showcase the results.

Over 25 timber frames based on this same design have been built by Heartwood for locations as far away as Argentina and California. The timbers are often precut at the school and shipped for assembly on-site. The attraction of this simple, small timber frame stems from its beauty, functionality, adaptability, expandability, ease of construction, and use of local materials. The carpentry skills and tools required are attainable by most people, and the joinery used is largely the same throughout the many variations on the core design. In this book, we will detail the joinery, illustrate the possible variations, show photos of finished projects, and provide practical guidelines for cutting, raising, and enclosing the frame.

It is encouraging that in recent years more and more people are looking for ways to create shelter with their own hands. As the virtual world of television and the Internet become a larger part of peoples lives, the physical world of shelter, food, and nature becomes ever more valued for those who can take the time to appreciate it. The act of making something that has tangible permanence satisfies a basic human need and gives one the opportunity to add personal touches to the design.