From Boston raisings to French snaps
Raising the frame
What’s a raising?
A few weeks ago I had a “raising party” where forty of my friends, classmates, and neighbors came to raise the frame I’ve been building. All the timbers were cut beforehand and test-fitted according to my drawings. Typically each bent (or cross section) of the frame is then raised by hand, gin poles, or cranes. Because my frame is small (8’6”x12’) we were able to raise it by hand.
Fitting it all together
Unlike a stick frame that has individual pieces nailed together, a timber frame fits together with joinery like a three dimensional puzzle. Joinery is the means by which the timbers are held together, typically with mortise and tenon joinery.
The tenons can be made with various tools and methods ranging from axes, saws, and chisels. Here’s a clip of me using the “french snap” method. It’s an efficient way to rough out the shoulder of your tenon. After cutting two saw kerfs, tap the end of the timber with your mallet, and it splits to your line! You can then flip the timber to the other face and cut the remaining cheek and shoulder with a saw and chisel.
There’s all sorts of joinery one can employ depending on the stresses the timber is under. For example, a mortise and tenon is a good choice for vertical posts because these beams are under compression. However, a tie beam is under tension and needs something that resists this force, such as a wedged half dovetail joint.
If you’re interested in learning more about timber frame joinery, I’d recommend Jack Sobon’s book Historic American Timber Joinery: A graphic guide.
Raise the frame & roast the pig!
Traditionally, after a community raised the frame of a house or barn they’d then roast a pig and feast! …we, however, did it in the opposite order :) If you’ve ever wondered why meat cleavers are often mixed in with woodworking tools at vintage tool shops, this is apparently why!
Judy Yao, a friend of mine, is a fantastic butcher and entrepreneur. She provided a delicious spread (which may or may not have involved porchetta tacos). Her company, Open Hearth Gatherings, brings the table to the farm with open fire cooking. Check it out!
I am blown away by my friends, colleagues, and neighbors who came out (on a very hot day) to help me raise this frame. I am filled with much joy and gratitude for you all.
…and an update!
NOTRE DAME TRUSS RECONSTRUCTION
HandsHouse Studio is leading a project in the United States to reconstruct one of the trusses that once supported the roof of Notre Dame de Paris.
As a collaboration with Charpentiers sans Frontieres, North Bennet Street School, and several other institutions and universities, we will construct the truss July 24 - August 4 at Catholic University in Washington DC. The truss will be raised on the National Mall on August 5th (open to the public). It will then be exhibited at the National Building Museum from August 6th to September 6th.
Come visit us in DC! :)
To learn more about the project, you can visit HandsHouse Studio’s website.
Hi Sophie. Did you coach screw/bolt those tie beam tenon joints, or use wedges, or other fixings? And what sort of joints/fixings were used for the braces? The French snap looks like a lot of fun, I must give it a try! Cheers, Gary