timberframe.school1

*trivia* 'In 1700s Britain there were 222 crimes which were punishable by death, including crimes such as cutting down a tree.' The King's Broad Arrow (mark shown below) signified property of the King and the trees were to be used solely for building ships for the Royal British Navy. Upset colonists who made a great deal of money from the wood were more than a little irritated. Early American pioneers had this timber on their properties, within their grasp, yet they were not to touch it. "Swamp Law" was exercised by many of the colonists, whereby many of the "King's" pines were cut illegally, the "Kings Broad Arrow" mark obliterated and the wood was put to use. Colonists cut down all the trees marked with the king's broad arrow and then placed the broad arrow on smaller trees. This rebellion led to numerous skirmishes between the locals settlers and the British and became known as "The White Pine War".

Timber framing is a centuries-old craft that has evolved into an advanced technology to produce visually appealing structural building framing using heavy-timber posts, beams and other supporting elements. Timber frames give the interior of a home an elegant architecture with a natural feel. This will be my weblog of attendance at College of the Rockies in Kimberley,British Columbia and further exploits into projects involving this craft.

Many mountain passes later it begins... After 750 kilometers and ten hours through sleet and snow I arrive in the town of Kimberley in the BC Kootenays. My landlord is in Mexico with a Corona in hand, but he was kind enough to leave me instructions and the key for the snow blower! The driveway was much steeper than he described it, so before I even set foot in the suite I moved 20 centimeters of snow accumulation. After a couple of runs at the grade, made it up and a quick unpack and off to bed at 11 pm.

Timber framing is used in many commercial, residential and public works projects.

click on the globe to find Kimberley...

At the campus in the morning we were introduced to the instructor and each other. A wide range of ages in this group of 12 people and varying backgrounds of trades and professions. Lunchtime we set off to the main woodworking shop which is a few minutes out of town. Introduced to some of the heavy machines and given our own stocked toolboxes with an assortment of tools. Hmmmm... tools...

Why and how wood moves were covered this morning as well as different methods employed in drying of materials. Sawing methods, grading and selection of various species of woods for certain application of construction were also discussed. Round pine logs greeted us in the shop later. They were left behind turned into a square beam. (More or less) Cut and beaten into submission by chainsaw and chisel, they will be finished tomorrow.

the framing chisel will be used a lot...

Not quite square, our timber needed some more finishing. Chisels & hand plane employed to smooth the surface. Later we were spoiled and used the power planer. Precut some timber for our first project: the saw horse! A demo was given on the sawmill that made very short work of the log.

Builder's math reviewed in the class this morning which included how many timbers and boards may be had out of a log. Sharpening in detail was also discussed. Different techniques and equipment for sharpening demonstrated and practiced.