New to Timber Framing

How would one get into a career in Timber framing? I have little carpentry skills, but I used to carve wood bows and arrows. Along with some other woodworking projects. However, I do enjoy woodworking and I would love to build my own house someday.

Hi Ryan, welcome to Permies!

I am slowly learning how to timber frame from resources here and around the net. My current project is a frame for a simple canopy. The joinery part is done, now I need to sew the canopy itself.

I have learned from a lot of resources. One that I haven't been able to check out yet is the Greenwood Apprenticeship Course from Mortise and Tenon magazine. I have learned a lot from looking at pictures on pinterest. Some of which lead me to these pictures of a Grindbygg style house under construction.

Keep asking questions. There are a number of people here who know quite a bit about timber framing.

EDIT: As for a career in timber framing, it would help if you gave us an idea of your location. There are a number of timber frame builders in America, but they aren't located everywhere. The North House school in Minnesota teaches workshops. Colin Beggs from Sandpoint Idaho is a master craftsman. And there are often timber framing projects at Wheaton Labs. You could join in on the Bootcamp or come to one of their events.

Thank you for the response, I live in Columbus, OH if that gives you any idea.

Woodworking and home building are entirely different.
I am a Civil Engineer and I do both, and the 3 skills are all strange to each other..
Timber framing is a carpentry skill, whereas woodworking is more to do with furniture and fittings.
Still good on you for considering it.

Hi Ryan,

I had many pleasurable years as a full scribe logbuilder, round and dimensional timber framer. As a profession to get started in currently, it will be tuff, just by the fact of the dwindling number of hand crafters and businesses in the industry's. Building your own projects and eventually a home though, can be accomplished and with persistence you should find work.

Acquire some good jointry books and practice on scrap, a simple chisel set, dead blow mallets and a circular saw will get you started. After, move on to larger projects, expand your toolbox maybe take a class. Most of all put in the time, make every notch the best you can while you learn, this is an acquired skill, speed only comes after quality. No one hires or keeps employed a log or timber butcher and when you build your own home you will see every gap in every bent. Aways, Quality before Quantity.

Good luck pard, keep your tools sharp

Morgan Maghee wrote:Hi Ryan,

I had many pleasurable years as a full scribe logbuilder, round and dimensional timber framer. As a profession to get started in currently, it will be tuff, just by the fact of the dwindling number of hand crafters and businesses in the industry's. Building your own projects and eventually a home though, can be accomplished and with persistence you should find work.

Acquire some good jointry books and practice on scrap, a simple chisel set, dead blow mallets and a circular saw will get you started. After, move on to larger projects, expand your toolbox maybe take a class. Most of all put in the time, make every notch the best you can while you learn, this is an acquired skill, speed only comes after quality. No one hires or keeps employed a log or timber butcher and when you build your own home you will see every gap in every bent. Aways, Quality before Quantity.

Good luck pard, keep your tools sharp

Welcome to Permies Morgan!

Your insight is helpful and appreciated.

Ryan,
I too was interested in Timber Framing though not as a career in the mid 1990's. I acquired some books and talked to some people, but it was not meshing for me. Then in 1999 The Timberframers Guild was hosting a one week workshop just an hour away from my home. And falling on my birthday to boot. Happy Birthday to Me. I enrolled.
What an amazing experience that was.
I have since gone on to design and cut two timber frames for myself.
You may want to reach out to them and see if a workshop is available for you to attend near your home.
FYI, I feel Timber Framing is closer to carpentry than construction. I encourage you to discover for yourself.
If you cannot connect to The Timber Framers Guild, post back and I will mine my history to find a valid email for you.
Brian