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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.Your actual mileage will vary!
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, and even more
often on-line in our Forums.
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?
- Several excellent integrated design engineer and manufacturing
programs exist, and we probably have not become aware of them
all. Please start your own search by checking out the
firms below, all long-time generous supporters of the Guild's
educational mission. If you come across other systems that
look like they might be of interest to our members, please let
us know ASAP.
The Guild also supports a lively
community of interest around the Google product SketchUp,
going so far as to sell a handbook
of advice and shortcuts specific to Timber Framing.
This is community-developed, non-commercial software with a loyal
following.
Does the Guild have timber frame plans available for sale?
- The Guild does offer a small plan book of small
structures. Check
it out here. However, 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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