Here in no particular order are the Top
20 most frequently asked questions of the Guild office. Note: The
following information is intended only to assist you in your timber
framing adventure, and in no way constitutes an endorsement of the
people, organizations, companies, or products. Nor does the Guild
warrant or guarantee the results or advice you obtain.
Enough of the legal stuff we are wise to mention. Onward to the
useful information. 
What publications or resources are available on the topic of timber
framing?
Magazines:
- Timber
Framing, the quarterly journal published by the Guild at a
subscription rate of $35. To sign up for a subscription, go to our
online store or
contact the Guild office at info@tfguild.org. Most back
issues are available.
- Fine
Homebuilding, Taunton
Press, P.O. Box 355, Newtown, CT 06470.
- Timber
Frame Homes, Home Buyer
Publications, P.O. Box 220039, Chantilly, VA 22022 (800
826-3893; fax 703 222-3209).
Books:
- Catalog with 250 to 300 titles on timber framing and related
topics provided by Summer Beam Books, 2299 Rt 488, Clifton Springs,
NY 14432 (phone 315 462-3444 or toll free 877-272-1987).
- Summerbeam Books.com
- Amazon.com, an online
bookstore with millions of titles, has a search facility for books
on any topic.
Videos:
The Guild offers
videotapes for sale on general topics in timber framing; they aren’t
meant to be how-to teaching tapes. Order online or send your
check or money order payable to the Timber Framers Guild at P.O. Box
295 Alstead, NH 03602-0295, 559 834 8453
- TIMBER FRAME TRILOGY. This 85-minute DVD is an edited
compilation of four Guild videos: TIMBER FRAME: THE COMPLETE VIDEO,
COVERED BRIDGE: 400 TIMBER FRAMERS BUILD A BRIDGE, TIMBER FRAME
BARN RAISING 1929, and TIMBER FRAME GAZEBO, and includes new
footage as well. A comprehensive collection including house and
barn raising, joinery, notching, historic replication, workshops
and education. It also includes building a gazebo and covered
bridge and a tour of timber frame homes.
- TIMBER FRAME: The Complete Video. A 55-minute video that
offers a general overview of timber frame construction and
includes historical background, building terminology,
explanations of joinery and raising the frame, interior views,
and information on historic restoration and replication.
- COVERED BRIDGE: 400 Timber Framers Build a Bridge. A
55-minute video about the Guild's volunteer effort to build a
120' pedestrian lattice-covered bridge over the Speed River in
Guelph, Ontario. Some 400 people raised by hand the two large
side trusses of the bridge, assembled the roof, and later pushed
the completed bridge into position over the river.
- TIMBER FRAME BARN RAISING, 1929. A 24-minute video with
archival footage of a traditional barn raising, the celebration
that followed, and recollections of three people who took part in
the raising in July 1929.
- TIMBER FRAME GAZEBO. A 20-minute video that records the
cutting of a gazebo frame by members of the Timber Framers Guild
in Canada. They used the traditional French scribe method, with
plumb lines and levels, to build the 20' x 30' gazebo.
Where can I get timber framing tools?
Power tools:
Hand tools:
- Hida Tool and Hardware Co., 1333 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA
94702 (415 524-3500).
- Woodcraft Supply, 210 Wood County Industrial Park, P.O. Box 1686,
Parkersburg, WV 26102 (800 225-1153).
- Lee Valley Tools, Ltd., 2680 Queensview Dr., Ottawa, ON Canada
K2B 8H6 (613 596-0350).
- Garrett Wade Co., 161 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10013
(800 221-2942).
- Barr Specialty Tools, P.O. Box 4335, McCall, ID 83638 (208
634-3641)
- Woodline the Japan Woodworker, 1731 Clement Ave., Alameda, CA
94501 (415 521-1810).
- Whole Earth Access, 822 Anthony St., Berkeley, CA 94710 (800
829-6300).
Where can I find used hand tools and power tools?
-
Used tools often appear (briefly) on the Forums and in the classified ads in the back of
Scantlings.
Can you send me information on stress skin panels?
-
Please contact the Structural Insulated Panel Association at www.sips.org.
Phone: (253) 858-SIPA (7472)
Fax: (253) 858-0272
Email: staff@sips.org
Where may I take classes to learn how to do timber framing?
- Hands-on workshops are offered throughout the year at various
locations around the U.S. and Canada by companies and schools.
Please refer to the Workshopspage at the Guild site.
- The Guild offers two national conferences each year, as well as
specialized conferences throughout the year. Check the Conferences page for current listings.
Who offers apprenticeship programs?
Are there any accredited college programs that offer courses on
timber framing?
I want to cut and raise my own timber frame, but I'd like to hire
an experienced timber framer to assist me. Can you provide me with
names of timber framers in your organization?
-
First check the Timber Frame
Business Council .. We also recommend that you join the Guild.
That way, you will receive a printed directory of all members and a
password to the Members Only section online, which includes a
searchable directory of all members and an invaluable Forum where you may post messages and ask for assistance.
I'm interested in computer software used specifically for designing
and engineering timber frames. What's available?
Does the Guild have timber frame plans available for sale?
-
The Guild doesn't offer timber frame plans for sale. Most timber
frame homes or commercial projects are built by companies on a custom
design basis. Some timber frame companies do offer house plans for
sale. Get an issue of the magazine Timber Frame Homes, which
lists some of the companies. It's available on many magazine stands
or through the publisher Home Buyer Publications in Chantilly, VA
(800 826-3893; fax 703 222-3209).
I'm designing my own timber frame home, but I need help in knowing
how to calculate the size of the timbers needed. Can you help?
-
The Guild strongly advises that your completed plans be reviewed by a
qualified timber frame designer or engineer. To help you get started,
we offer a 160-page book entitled the Timber Frame Joinery &
Design Workbook, which is a compilation of technical articles on
timber frame engineering, joinery design, framing systems, peg
design, and stresses on the frame. Drawings and tables are also
included. Please visit our online store
What companies supply pegs and timbers?
How do I join the Guild, what are the benefits, and how much are
the dues?
-
The Timber Framers Guild is an educational organization composed of
individuals who are interested in the craft of timber frame
construction, and there are no requirements you must meet to join.
Domestic dues are $100 annually. You will receive a Membership
Directory, the quarterly journal Timber Framing, the monthly
newsletter Scantlings, and notification and registration
materials for all Guild conferences and workshops. You will also have
access to a network of people who are knowledgeable about the craft.
To join, visit our online
store (credit cards accepted).
What does the Guild offer regarding information on restoration
and preservation of timber frames?
-
There is a group within the Guild called TTRAG, which stands for the Traditional
Timberframe Research and Advisory Group; its members are involved
in the documentation, restoration, and preservation of timber fame
structures. TTRAG sponsors an annual conference that features
seminars, slides, tools, and an opportunity for like-minded people
to discuss restoration topics. In addition, the Guild's journal,
Timber Framing, has published articles on various projects
and methods of restoration and preservation.
I have a barn that needs repair. Can you direct me to someone who
can help us with this project?
For names of TTRAG members who may be interested to help you in
your area, please visit the TTRAG section
of this Web site.
What is the difference between recycled timber and green
timber?
-
Recycled timber is salvaged from older structures such as large
warehouses and port buildings. They offer several benefits over
green timbers: First, because of their age, recycled timbers are
dry and won't shrink or check (have cracks), and thus are very
stable for cutting timber frames. Second, recycled timbers can
sometimes be found in large sizes and longer lengths because of the
spans that were built in the older structures. Third, even after
planing, the timbers retain an aged appearance that makes them
desirable. On the minus side, the cost of recycled timber is
generally higher than green timber due to the labor involved in
acquiring the timber.
 Green
timber is the more common type of timber used in cutting timber
frame structures. Green timber sizes are available in different
species of woods and tend to be less expensive than recycled
material. Some checking and shrinkage do occur in the timber as a
natural process in the drying of the timber, but that shouldn't
cause any structural weakness, nor should shrinkage affect the
joinery. Timber framers have methods and materials that they use to
keep shrinkage to a minimum. In the eastern and midwestern parts of
the United States and Canada, timber framers tend to use oak and
pine as their main species. In the western areas, framers use more
Douglas fir or Port Orford cedar. Other species can be used, but
are not as readily available.
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