Square Rule Timber Framing: Straight and Curved Members
August 16-22, 2015
Minimum enrollment for this workshop, 14 students. Please register early!
 |
|
Our 2015 workshop will build the core frame shown above and depicted in the drawing below, with with the addition of several naturally curved members, knee braces and collar ties |
This workshop offers students a solid introduction to basic timber framing, using the "Square Rule" technique. Developed in America in the early 1800's, the "Square Rule" approach to timber framing is an elegant system that allows framers to accurately layout traditional mortise and tenon joinery on rough sawn, imperfect timbers. In this workshop, we begin with a stack of rough sawn 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. Unique to this workshop is the opportunity to learn how to apply Square Rule methodology to naturally curved collar ties and knee braces, which will be incorporated into the frame.
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 of rough sawn timbers, using the Square Rule technique.
- Introduction of Square Rule layout techniques for naturally curved timbers
- Proper use of traditional hand tools to cut joinery
- Tool sharpening
Evening sessions will feature slideshows by the instructors, discussions on basic timber frame engineering and design, and ample time for questions and answers.
Minimum enrollment for this workshop, 14 students. Register early!
 |
 |
Be sure to see our gallery page for more photos from square rule workshops.
Tentative Daily Outline
-
August 16th (Sunday)
:: Dinner at 6:00 PM
:: Meet in classroom for workshop/Pingree Park orientations
:: Individual student introductions
:: Overview of course and project -
August 17th (Monday)
:: Meet in classroom after breakfast
:: Introduction to the Square Rule technique
:: Frame and critical dimensions
:: Safety
:: Move to site for demonstrations/begin layout and cutting of floor system
:: Evening session -
August 18th (Tuesday)
:: Brace layout
:: Demo whole stick layout and tenon cutting
:: Layout posts and tie beams, start cutting
:: Evening Session -
August 19th (Wednesday)
:: Work continues on posts and tie beams
:: Demo on brace cutting
:: Continue work on posts and ties
:: Evening discussions on engineering/design -
August 20th (Thursday)
:: Continue work on posts, ties
:: Brace cutting
:: Plate layout and cutting
:: Evening off
-
August 21st (Friday)
:: Rafters
:: Continue plates
:: Continue cutting, begin raising
:: Evening party -
August 22nd (Saturday)
:: Finish cutting and raising
:: Disassemble frame and load for shipping
:: Site cleanup
:: Depart
Taught by Skip Dewhirst and Josh Jackson