Tacit Timber Frames

Stopped in to take a look at this outdoor classroom we put up back in January. This was a fun little project we did with and for Hardy Elementary. It was good to see it since planted all the trees on site as well. 2nd photo shows some live edge benches we installed too as part of the larger project.

The frame is looking pretty good; some movement and twist in the oak and maple of course, but everything is looking sound. Hewn oak posts, with half sawn pine ties.

I asked to make some of these when he had time and he nailed it. Dry runs are much nicer this way. Probably for some temporary pinning for raising too. We always called them drift pins but recently saw them called podgers as well, not sure on the origin of either name. Ultimately just a nicely tapered steel pin with a handle.

Some great shots of the carport from last fall with the enclosure portion done. Also great to see it with some snow

Wrapped up install on this white pine great room frame last week. The raised tie always makes it more complex but the way the lines of the braces carry from the posts to the tie is pretty satisfying. Really looking forward to seeing this home finished out in the coming months.

English tying joint. The existing barn on site has a roof framing system that used a very similar version of this tying joint as well as canted purlins. While we needed the trusses to get our clear span on the new carport we figured we could at least include the same tying joint as the barn. Hopefully these two can stand beside each other for some more centuries.

Way late on this: Pennsylvania carport frame we raised back in November. White oak posts, yellow pine main frame, with poplar rafters. This one was special as it was for my parents and at one point, my dad, brother, and brother-in-laws were all hands on, with my grandfather there as well, being sure to quip: “I think you shoulda used a bigger timber”

More photos to come of some process shots.

We wrapped up this 56x60 monitor barn just before Christmas. It was a bit of a unique challenge and a beautiful site. Looking forward to seeing it roofed and put to good use.