Datasheet

A
timber
frarner's
toolbox
To
make
precision
cuts
and
tight-
fitting
joints,
a timber
framer relies
chiefly
on artful
handling
of simple
tools
and subtle
application
of
lever-
age
and
pressure.
The
tools shown
below have
been and
still are the
standard issue
for
any timber framer.
Other
essentials include
a
framing
square,
a combination
square,
flat
chisels,
a
mallet,
and a handsaw.
You may
own some
of
the
tools
already.
Specialty retailers
(see
the
sources, below right)
carry the
others.
Today's timber
framers
do employ
some
power
tools. Few
hand-hew
their
beams, for
example. Instead they
rely on a motorized
mill to
process
the
logs.
A router,
circular saw,
and
power
planer
also are handy for
trimming
timbers
and forming
joints.
The best
woods for
tirnber
frarning
One common misconception
about tim-
ber
framing
is that the
timbers need
to be
seasoned
before
you
work
them.
Quite
the opposite is
true; timbers
should be
worked
while the wood
is
green.
A variety
of species have
been used
over the
years,
from pine
and fir
to oak
and
even cherry. These
days, framers
also
use
Douglas
fir.
The strongest
species for
timber fram-
ing
are those that
grow
slowly,
are
straight and tall
(curved
or twisted trees
are harder
to mill into
timbers), and
reach
great
heights
before branching
(knots
tend to weaken
a timber).
Such
trees were common
in
old-growth
forests.
Although
trees in second-growth
forests
are not
quite
as strong,
tall, or
straight,
they
yield
timbers
that work
well for
such
projects
as houses
and
small barns.
I
Written
by Bill Nolan with David
Stone
lllustrations: Mike
Mittermeier
Photograph
courtesy of Timber Framers
Guild
Sorrrces for
additiorral
inforrnation
To learn more
about timber framing,
or to find the
tools
used in the craft, contact the following
sources:
General
information
and training
Timber Framers
Guild
P.0.
Box 60
Becket,
MA
01223
888/453-0879; www.tfguild.org
Education,
training m aterials,
books,
workshops
Joiners
Quafterly
magazine
Fox Maple Press, Inc.
65 Corn
Hill Road,
P.0. Box 249
Brownfield,
ME
04010
207
1935-37
20;
www.loxmaple.com
Magazine, framing
school, workshops,
books
Tools
and supplies
Barr
Specialty Tools
P.0. Box
4335
McCall,
lD 83638
8001235-4452; www.
barrtools.com
Lee
Valley Tools, Ltd.
P.0. Box
1780
Ogdensburg, NY
1 3669-6780
800/871
-81
58; www.leevalley,com
Woodcraft
Supply
560 Airport Industrial Park
P.0. Box 1686
Parkersburg,
WV 26102
800/225-1 1
53;
www.woodcraft
.com
Corner chisel: Handy
for cutting
mortise corners
quickly.
Slick:
Looks
like an
oversize
chisel but used
as a
plane
for
smoothing tenons.
Broad
axlhatchet:
For hewing
and
dressing timbers,
plus
roughing
out
joinery.
urwur.woodonline.com
Commander: An
oversize
mallet
(sometimes
made
on
site
with
a
piece
of scrap timber)
used
for
hammering
joints
together.
Drawknife: This
tool comes in
handy for
trimming bark
off of logs
and for
dressing timbers.
Brace
and bit: A
quick-working
tool for
drilling out mortises
and
making
peg
holes.
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