Timberframing Outside the Box: Scribe Methods

Instructors: Josh Jackson and Ben Graham
Location: Garden Folly site, Warren , VT

Course Description:
This class will introduce students to techniques used to create a well crafted frame out of round and oddly shaped timbers and is perfect for those wishing to incorporate organic shapes in their timber framing work. Scribing is an art as much as a craft, requiring a good eye, a steady hand, and the ability to visualize in three dimensions. It involves laying out and transferring joinery intersections directly from one timber to another using plumb bobs, levels and marking devices instead of tape measures and math. Roughly square pieces can be joined to other timbers using the English or French scribe methods, while round logs can be joined using double bubble scribers or mitered joinery, commonly found in log truss work and akin to Japanese layout methods. This workshop offers students the opportunity to practice these techniques as we create a small timberframe for Yestermorrow's Natural Building Certificate summer program. All Levels.

Course Objectives

Students will learn to layout and cut joinery in round and rough material using all three of these scribing techniques. Through practice, models, slideshows and discussion the class will explore the advantages and disadvantages of these methods. Students will leave with the skills to incorporate a round timber into their work or fit a post to a rock foundation, and they will have the satisfaction and confidence that comes from seeing their work come together in the form of a standing structure.

Recommended Readings

The Scribing Articles by Will Beemer in issues #76, 77, & 78 of Timber Framing, Journal of the Timber Framers Guild.

The Log Construction Handbook by Robert Chambers

Tools/Materials to Bring

Optional Tools: Plumb bob, scribers, chalk line, dividers, torpedo level, 24" level, laser level, chisels, gouges, mallet, crosscut saw and rip saw. We suggest that you only bring these tools if you already have them, if not, wait and buy after the class when you may have a better idea of exactly which tools you need and prefer.

Draft Schedule/Outline

Sunday evening we will enjoy slides after the welcome dinner.

Monday a few slides again, introductions - instructors, students, the project. Overview of techniques and tools, some model joints, a little developed drawing exercise. Floor layout, lining timbers, setup, and demonstration of French Scribing techniques. . Tool safety, sharpening and use will be demonstrated and then practiced, as students work on model joints.

Tuesday we will finish up working on the French model joints and move into our building. Demonstration of miter joinery and of bubble scribing will lead into student teams setting up assemblies found in the building project and starting to scribe them.

Wednesday and Thursday we will learn through the process of scribing and cutting the various assemblies in the building Possible field trips to local forks and curves. Frequent detours to the chalk board to explore possible joinery solutions, layout methods and design ideas.

Friday we will be cleaning the shop, finishing the frame, loading it onto a trailer and taking it down to the site where we will demonstrate scribing a post to a rock and prepare for raising.

Saturday Raising! Yee Haw!