Mastering The Basics Of Square Rule Timber Framing
August 11-17, 2019
As of February 17, 2019, this workshop is full. Wait list only.
Minimum enrollment, 14 students.
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Our 2018 workshop will build the core frame shown above and depicted in the drawing below |
This unique workshop offers students a solid introduction to basic timber framing using the "Square Rule" technique. Developed in America in the early 1800s, the "Square Rule" approach to timber framing is an elegant system that allows framers to accurately layout traditional mortise and tenon joinery on roughsawn, imperfect timbers. In this workshop we begin with a stack a roughsawn timbers and end with the celebratory raising of a complete, finely crafted frame. The workshop frame is purposely designed as a teaching tool and, as such, incorporates a wide variety of pegged mortise and tenon joinery. Hand tools (chisels, axes, adzes, handsaws, spokeshaves, handplanes) will be our tools of choice, not power tools, as we believe this to be the most effective and enjoyable way to get new framers started.
Click on the photo above to view a larger image
Topics covered will include (see tentative daily schedule summary below):
- Timber framing fundamentals-the layout and cutting of mortise and tenon joints
- Accurate layout on roughsawn timbers using the Square Rule technique
- Proper use of hand tools to cut joinery
- Tool sharpening
Evening sessions will feature slideshows by the instructors, discussion on basic engineering and design, and ample time for questions and answers.
Minimum enrollment for this workshop, 14 students. Register early!
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Be sure to see our gallery page for more photos from square rule workshops.
Tentative Daily Outline
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August 11 (Sunday)
:: Dinner at 6:00 PM
:: Individual student introductions
:: Meet in classroom for workshop/Pingree Park orientations
:: Overview of course and project -
August 12 (Monday)
:: Meet in classroom after breakfast
:: Introduction to the Square Rule technique
:: Frame and critical dimensions
:: Safety
:: Move to site for demonstrations
:: Evening class, slideshows -
August 13 (Tuesday)
:: Brace layout
:: Demo whole stick layout and tenon cutting
:: Layout posts and tie beams, start cutting
:: Evening off -
August 14 (Wednesday)
:: Work continues on posts and tie beams
:: Demo on brace cutting
:: Continue work on posts and ties
:: Evening discussions on engineering/design -
August 15 (Thursday)
:: Continue work on posts, ties
:: Brace cutting
:: Plate layout and cutting
:: Evening off -
August 16 (Friday)
:: Rafters
:: Continue plates
:: Continue cutting, begin raising, scribing demo
:: Evening party -
August 17 (Saturday)
:: Finish cutting and raising
:: Disassemble frame and load for shipping
:: Site cleanup
:: Depart
Taught by Skip Dewhirst, Chris Kates, Chris Drake, and Peter Haney.