Two part roundwood timber framing workshop sep 24-29 and oct 1-5 2018

UPDATE!   We have confirmed that in addition to our instructor, Josh Pilch, at least two other professional natural builders will be here:  Chris "Uncle Mud" McClellan and Kirk "Donkey" Mobert!  And there is still a chance we will be joined by Ernie and Erica also!


This is a short notice event, so we are going to make the best of it.  And it is double tied to kickstarters.  This event is underwritten by the proceeds from the most recent kickstarter, and Dan and I think that what happens at this event will be the fodder for the next video kickstarter!


Prep Week September 24-29

Drop trees, limb, move logs, peel.  Get all the wood ready for the projects.  Get all the project space ready.  


Build Week October 1-5

The first project will be a berm shed.  No glues.  Minimal metal.  We may even build some of the berm shed with zero metal. All good joinery.


The more people that are here, the more projects we will do.


There will be a strong focus on roundwood joinery.  We will use power tools for some, but some of the berm shed and other projects will use 100% hand tools.





We think that a strong 12-cell berm shed can be built in 4 days - provided all the material is there and ready.   We will find out!  

This will be a 12-cell berm shed with each cell being 10x10, pus an eave.  



If you have been here before, you can attend the full two weeks for FREE!  Just drop us a note to tell us you will be coming.   If you have been here before, you have our contact info.


If you have never been here before, you can attend the full two weeks for $100!  Click here to send payment!  (note that this is a tobacco and drug free campus and there will be vids and photos).  


If you wish to attend just build week, click here to pay $460

Prep week will be, effectively, the permaculture boot camp.  Simple food staples are provided.  Up at 7 to make your own breakfast. Work from 8 to noon.  Make your own lunch.  Work from 1 to 5.  Make your own dinner.  More about the bootcamp here: https://permies.com/wiki/bootcamp





On the evening of October 5, we will begin the Rocket Oven Pizza party.   This party is limited to 20 people that supported the kickstarter **AND** the people that attended RWTF workshop.   There will be heaps of pizza on friday night and then we will do half of the wheaton labs tour on saturday and the other half on sunday.   And there will be plenty of opportunity to try out all the rocket mass heaters, rocket ovens, rocket stoves, rocket cooktops, rocket kilns, etc.  


Our lead builder will be Josh Pilch.  Here he is building a log cabin:



And here he is checking out some of our roundwood timber framing last year:





More bits and bobs of info soon!   We are throwing this event together super fast and loose!  Come on out and do some serious building!






This event is at Wheaton Labs, near Missoula, Montana.  

If one supported the kickstarter but has NOT been there before or paid the rapper fee, is it ok to come camp out for a night and attend ONLY the pizza party? If so will I have to also pay the gapper fee(kickstarter backing was not over 100 bux)

Devon Olsen wrote:If one supported the kickstarter but has NOT been there before or paid the rapper fee, is it ok to come camp out for a night and attend ONLY the pizza party? If so will I have to also pay the gapper fee(kickstarter backing was not over 100 bux)

Ah, good question! We are limiting the pizza party to 20 from the Kickstarter, so if we get all 20, I think we'll be full. I don't know the answer if we don't get 20 who want in.

I think Paul forgot a link to the pizza party thread, which is here. I'm going to copy your question and my reply over in that thread.

I can make it out for the build week of 10/1-5, probably driving over from Spokane on 9/30 in the late afternoon/evening, and driving back to the airport Sunday morning 10/7 so could be there for half of the pizza party. I sent a gapper fee through PayPal previously, and can send another for $460 for this event. Since I contributed to the kickstarter, would there also be a fee for the pizza party portion?

Mark,

You are all set to be here for as much (or as little) of the roundwood timber framing event and the pizza party as you like.

Jocelyn wished for me to make it clear:

- food will be provided

- boots (the first week) will cook their own food.   Jocelyn will help with the cooking for the second week.

- Chances are that everybody will get a bunk.  Depending on how many people show up, some folks might be tenting it.

It sounds like, during build week we will have some of the rocket mass heater innovators here:

   - Chris "Uncle Mud" McClellan
   - Kirk "Donkey" Mobert
   - Ernie and Erica Wisner (60% chance)

And, of course, all of the peeps that attend the this event get to attend the rocket oven pizza party which will include a grand tour of all of the rocket mass heaters.

Another intersting bit:  for five days after the pizza party, Chris, Kirk (and probably Ernie and Erica) will be upgrading Peter's "double shoebox" rocket cook stove and getting the allerton abbey wofati ready for the winter annualized thermal inertia test.

paul wheaton wrote:Jocelyn wished for me to make it clear:
- Chances are that everybody will get a bunk.  Depending on how many people show up, some folks might be tenting it.

I'm still trying to nail down when certain bunks will be occupied by key people. This affects both the roundwood events *and* the pizza party.

I'm very interested in participating in all four parts, but I don't want to overpromise. I can't do much heavy lifting. It causes my kidney stones to move. I am capable with tools and machinery or in the kitchen. I can bring a great attitude, eagerness to engage and learn. What should I do? Thank you for the consideration.

David McGhee wrote:
I'm very interested in participating in all four parts, but I don't want to overpromise. I can't do much heavy lifting. It causes my kidney stones to move. I am capable with tools and machinery or in the kitchen. I can bring a great attitude, eagerness to engage and learn. What should I do? Thank you for the consideration.

If you have been here, or your "gapper fee" has been covered, and you can be here on september 23 or earlier and you are all set - we just need to sort out the details via email.   If you have never been here, or had your "gapper fee" covered, then send $100 via this link and we will start the process of workout out the details via email.

A few critically important things:

   - no tobacco or drugs here
   - if you don't wanna be on camera, you are responsible for the bag over your head

Gapper fee paid. I can be there 9/24, if that's Ok.
- David

I'm eager to confirm the details and finalize travel plans. Please advise at your soonest. Thanks

David McGhee wrote:I'm eager to confirm the details and finalize travel plans. Please advise at your soonest. Thanks

It turns out that i was the hold up.  Things should be sorted now and you should be getting the next bits of info tonight sometime.

Questions from e-mail:

Where do I go, or where do I fly (or bus) in to?

wheaton labs is near Missoula, which has the nearest airport and bus station. After you fill out the survey/registration form we send you, then we'll send you detailed directions and more information.

There are STILL some things I need to sort out before I can adequately address wheaton labs lodging requests. I'm only one person filling several roles at the moment. The detailed directions also includes nearby (not wheaton labs) lodging information should you prefer to get something reserved right away.

Jocelyn has volunteered to help a lot with the cooking - it sounds like she plans to do all of the cooking during "build week" and a large portion of the cooking the week before and the week after.

If anybody wants to add to the food pile for this free event, that would be handy!   Or if anybody wants to come for a few days to help jocelyn ....

I can help. Ive not bought plane tickets yet. Awaiting onsite housing confirmation. I can come 9/22 if that helps. I plan to work on all 4 parts.

David McGhee wrote:I can help. Ive not bought plane tickets yet. Awaiting onsite housing confirmation. I can come 9/22 if that helps. I plan to work on all 4 parts.

Finally, rental info went out just now. On to prepping Taco Tuesday here.

I need to make arrangements to get picked up at the airport. My plane arrives on Thursday 9/20/18 at 6:47 PM at Bozeman. I will be there early for the round wood timber framing workshop.
On Oct 9, I will need a ride back top the airport to board a plane at 7:32 PM which gives me a couple days with the rocket Mass stove. Thanks Larry

Lawrence J Wright wrote:My plane arrives on Thursday 9/20/18 at 6:47 PM at Bozeman.

Larry, do you mean Missoula, not Bozeman? We can arrange rides from/to Missoula, but not Bozeman. It is just too far away. If you are flying into Bozeman, you will need to get the bus to Missoula.

We made it here. Thanks for the opportunity, Paul.  Check us out Wheaton Labs Fall 2018 Felling Crew, y'all.

What an awesome group!

FYI, as we move in to the build week, and starting Monday morning, the daily schedule will be similar to the prep week, though with meals coordinated by moi:

7:00 a.m. breakfast

8:00 a.m. workshop start

12:00 p.m. (noon) lunch

1:00 p.m. workshop resumes

5:00 p.m. workshop wraps up

6:00 p.m. dinner

Here's some pics of build week. Enjoy!

David, those pictures are awesome, thank you!!

Some of the recipes you asked for are here.

I just discovered Josh's videos of the build on Youtube:

Shorter version:


Longer version:


Different shots in each video. So weird seeing and hearing myself!