Tax season is over and we've begun work on our project again!
On 4-22-11 we took a hike up to our dome.
Back at home in the shop Dan has started working on the timbers again. The finished pile is growing slow but sure.
5-8-11
This weekend Dan made the six king post struts.
These are the pieces we need to build the frames.
These are the pieces we have made so far.
Last updated 8-19-11
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6-19-11
With all the timbers for the side shop finished we began putting the pieces together.
Both side bents are fitted, drilled, then taken apart.
Every mortise and tenon joint is put together and small adjustments made if needed.
Once all the pieces are fitted, they are clamped together with straps and come-a-longs. Then drilled for the pegs.
6-26-11
After they are all fitted we did a final sanding on the timbers.
Then all the timbers and the roof decking got a first coat of stain. Now we are ready for the timber raising.
7-23-11
We finished installing the roof decking and installed the wood stove chimney pipe
Then we framed in the walls
Dan, Mike, & Jim framing in the end wall
Christine, Becky, & I worked on prefinishing the carport roof decking
7-10-11
Meanwhile back at the shop at home.....The pieces to the carport frame are longer and harder to move around. Sanding them seems to take forever!
Timber Frame Raising
(of the side shop) 7-3-11
Fitting the sill plate.
Pounding in the timber pegs.
Lowering the sill plate onto the wall
Raising the first bent into position
Adding the girts and braces
After the next brace is added we are ready to raise the next bent.
7-4-11
The next day Dan and Mike installed the 2x6 roof decking
And up it goes
Another girt and brace
Then the end post
King post, struts, and rafters are added.
None of the rafters are light, but one is so dense it is crazy heavy!
The frame is going very well. It took five hours to put together from start to finish, including lunch break.
The frame complete from the inside.
And from the outside
"Topping off" a new frame is a practice that has been around for hundreds of years. It is a dedication ceremony akin to naming a ship or placing a coin under the cornerstone of a new building.
It's the act of placing an evergreen bough on the highest peak of a newly completed frame. Then the master carpenter dedicates the frame with a speech or a poem.
Some say it gives thanks to the forest for providing timber for the new frame. Some say it is to placate the gods and to shield the building from harm. In modern times it is a celebration to thank the workers for their efforts and to give thanks for a safe raising.
Some say it is simply "good luck".
Others topping off their frames
Our frame "Topped off"
Our timber raising crew:
Bob, Dan, Josh, Alan, Chad, Brandon, Mike, Joe, and Marty
Dan's dedication:
I dedicate this frame as number one:
The cutting, the fitting, the learning, was certainly fun.
In whatever pursuit, whether work or pleasure, one might pursue:
There must be a first, that is certainly true.
So we celebrate but not too much, you know, no shuck and jive:
Because I'm saving the irrational exuberance for number five.
So without further ado, I dedicate this frame to the memory of my recently departed young friend,
Jeremy Wiese
1985-2010
8-1-10
To move some of the bigger timbers around we strapped a hand truck to one end.
Dan takes credit for this great idea.
8-7-11
With the help of Mike and Derek we fitted the two side bents and two king post bents today at the shop dome.
The carport bents span over 21' across
8-14
We fitted the last king post bent and the sill plates. Then Dan(ny) and Nolan with some assist from Bob moved an 8x8 to the top of the scaffold to build a make-shift crane for timber raising day. Mike did a final sand on the timbers and Patty helped me stain some of them.
Dan climbed to the top and rigged the crane.
Next weekend we raise the carport frame
2011 continued
2011