Home Drafting (want to help)

This is my 1st post on the forum but I have been reading a lot and I enjoy the conversations I read.

A little about myself
I own a construction company in Tampa Fl and we do a lot of concrete foundation, masonry wall and excavating work. I started drafting about 2 years ago only on jobs that I built. One day I hope that I can freelance CAD work for a living. I try and live a sustainable lifestyle, my family of 4 lives in 1,100 sf apartment we buy as much local food as possible. We don't have a lot of farms in our area that of have found. One day I hope to live off the grid but my wife isn't fully on board yet but I'm still working on her.

I'm wanting to help design or do some drafting work, I use AutoCAD 2D and a little 3D. I not looking to get paid for anything I just want to increase my drafting skills and help someone out thats needs its. If someones needs drafting work done I will work on it in the evenings and weekend. I don't want anyone to think I'm trying to make money or grow my business, I just want the more gain experience in AutoCAD and permaculture.

Hi Garrick,

Are you familiar with timber framing and have you ever use Google's "Sketchup," program? For someone like yourself, with no formal CAD education, I would highly recommend it. I can't teach "Sketchup," but I do teach timber framing and all the students I teach, (as do many timber framers,) are now using this program. I still like to see my students use pencil and paper, just to keep their skills alive, but "Sketchup" has done wonders for speed and creativity.

Regards,

Jay

I have a plan I need a slight change done in. I am new to this forum and don't know what contact is allowed or the best way to do it. If this works, I have a couple of "Scrape and Replace" plans to be created, after we connect.

Jay C. White Cloud wrote:Hi Garrick,

Are you familiar with timber framing and have you ever use Google's "Sketchup," program? For someone like yourself, with no formal CAD education, I would highly recommend it. I can't teach "Sketchup," but I do teach timber framing and all the students I teach, (as do many timber framers,) are now using this program. I still like to see my students use pencil and paper, just to keep their skills alive, but "Sketchup" has done wonders for speed and creativity.

Regards,

Jay

I'm not familiar with timber framing, We do more conventionally construction in our area. I have not played with Google Sketchup much, I have had formal CAD teaching and now I go to class for 2 hours twice a week. I have got stuck doing nothing but concrete drawings and I want to expand my horizons.

I would love to learn other methods of construction but I dont know anyone that doesn't build with conventionally materials.

Hi Garrick,

Look out on the web and you will find all kinds of information on timber framing. There are even discussion groups about using sketchup to draft frames. Timber framing falls into the luxury class of architecture in many areas, (though it does not have to be more expensive than standard "stick framing.") I would love to know what you find out about timber framing in your area, we ship frames everywhere, and even work over seas. Maybe you could start finding work down in your area, and I would facilitate you doing the design work and we would cut the frames. Look into it and let me know what you think, and good luck in school.

Regards,

Jay

Jay C. White Cloud wrote:Hi Garrick,

Look out on the web and you will find all kinds of information on timber framing. There are even discussion groups about using sketchup to draft frames. Timber framing falls into the luxury class of architecture in many areas, (though it does not have to be more expensive than standard "stick framing.") I would love to know what you find out about timber framing in your area, we ship frames everywhere, and even work over seas. Maybe you could start finding work down in your area, and I would facilitate you doing the design work and we would cut the frames. Look into it and let me know what you think, and good luck in school.

Regards,

Jay

I watched a few youtube videos on timber framing and it is very cool. I dont know anyone in my area that has the skills to build like this. We stick farm and cover everything in drywall to cover up the poor workmanship. Do you use hand tools to cut and shape or do you have computer saws, routers and sanders?

My friend and I were at O'Leno State Park and they have a round wood picnic building, I was telling him I dont know anyone that can build like this anymore. I admired it for about 30mins looking at all the connections and how it was all done by hand. Hopeful one day I can find a mentor to show me how to do this.

Hi Garrick,

It is funny how the world works, (serendipity I guess) this is an example of some of my work, pictured below. I have been to that state park you referenced, as I spent my younger years on Black Water Bayou near Milton, Florida, and that is one of the many styles I now work in. No we do not use CNC machines for our frames. Power tools yes, but everything is finished by had. Now, with our connection, if you would like to start a business in your area, selling, designing, cutting and facilitating this kind of architecture, you should. I live through, (and on,) the people I teach this craft to. My business, "Tosa Tomo Designs," can only be accessed through people like you. I'm strictly brokered, unless someone knows me through contacts like you, projects, teaching and lecture, you can't just hire me. It is a little old fashioned but that's the way I work, by introduction only, I don't have a web page or cell phone. Here is a link to one of the groups that brokers my work: http://www.antiquebarns.net/minka.htm

Now if this interest you, good. Stay in school, learn what you are learning, start doing research on the craft of timber framing, with time and patients, you will achieve your goals. If you here about or start soliciting work of this kind, I can support you in what you need to do. If we need to cut the frames for you, that is fine, we do it all the time. Let your imagination run. If you are in an area that does not have an active "timber framing" contractor, all the better for you, you'll be the first, and first through the gate usually does best! Good luck and stay in touch.