Pacific Rim Timberworks

Course II: Timber Framing Core Skills

Timber framing is a system - of proportion, of joinery, of material logic - and this course is where you learn to think inside it. Designed for beginners through intermediate framers, Course II covers the foundational skills that underpin everything else in the craft.

Topics include timber framing terminology, timber selection and material considerations, safe handling of heavy timbers, layout practices including square rule, centerline and scribe layout, the use of templates and story poles, effective hand tool use, and the safe use of power tools to increase production. You will cut and fit joinery, make mistakes in good company, and leave with a working knowledge of how timber frames go together.

This course stands alone. It also prepares you directly for Course III, where those foundations get tested against irregular and natural tree shapes.

Particants that complete this course are welcome to assist as a volunteer in the beam raising of this timberframe on Monday, October 5th at Glide Education Forest. You can learn more about this frame at the link below:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1257V0vY_EmWzYUItoI3NZQGmNd9SKe3p5wwn6l4eDPE/edit?usp=sharing

Participant Amenities

Camping

• Riverfront camping is available at no cost on the South Umpqua River for registered participants from Thursday night through Sunday night.
• Please note that fires are not permitted anywhere on the property.
• An indoor toilet, shower and composting toilet will be available for participant use.

Other Lodging

• There are a few local Airbnb's available in Days Creek. More options are available for lodging including 7 feathers Casino & Resort, the Creekside Inn in Canyonville, which is 10 miles west of Days Creek

Meals

• A breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided on Monday - Friday.
• Breakfast served from 7:00 - 7:45 am.
• Lunch 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
• Dinner 6:00 - 7:00 p.m
• Participants are responsible for their own additonal snacks. A refrigerator will be available for use.

What to Bring

• Participants planning to camp on-site should bring:
• Tent
• Sleeping bag and bedding
• Swimsuit & Towel
• Appropriate clothing and personal items for outdoor camping and woodworking activities

Class Materials & Tool List

• Personal PPE Required: Ear protection, eye protection, sturdy shoes.
• Optional: Hard hat (required if attending for beam raising).

Layout Tools

• Pencil
• 24-inch framing square or sashigane
• Combination square
• Razor knife or marking knife
• String line

• 1.5-inch framing chisel
• Mallet
• Hand saw (Japanese style preferred)
• Hand plane for tuning joinery
• Sharpening stones (will be also be available if needed).