The Timber Framing Book

I haven't even finished reading this book, and I've already been asked "How do YOU know so much about timberframing!?" I am able to speak the "language" and have already designed my first building. I bought 3 books about timberframing to make sure I learned enough to get by, the other two books are collecting dust!

Profusely illustrated with diagrams by Linda Foss and photos by Jeremy Foss and Randy Hillner, "The Timber Framing Book" is a superbly written and organized 169-page instruction manual co-authored by timber framing experts Stewart Elliott and Eugenie Walls. Beginning with a historical and commentary on timber framing, individual chapters focus on 'Getting Started', 'The Frame', and then go on to the technical details of framing calculations and measurements, joinery, laying out and cutting joints, laying out and cutting braces, rafters, traditional decorative treatments of timbers, 'Raisin' Day', frame design and timber orders, then conclude with a chapter dedicated to building a 12' by 16' shed. Enhanced with the inclusion of a three page bibliography, a glossary of specialized terms, and an appendix of line-drawn illustrations, "The Timber Framing Book" is an exceptionally 'user friendly' introduction to the basics of timber framing and a very strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Architecture and Woodworking reference collections.

This book is excellent for all beginners and experienced carpenters alike. It gives all the information needed to complete a timber frame project, and gives the info in easy to understand terminalogy. It has good examples of all the types of joinery needed for a timber frame. I have just finished doing a 16 x 24 foot pottery building that has turned out very nice. I made all my plans and cut the timbers by using the information in this book. It has been a valuable tool in the process.

Originally copyrighted in 1977, The Timber Framing Book was one of the first books published about the timber framing revival. Stewart Elliott and Eugenie Wallas have carefully crafted a simple book on the basics, including planning, mathematics and simple engineering, layout, joint cutting and raising. There are a large number of very nice drawings by Linda Foss that illustrate all aspects of timber frames. In the center of the book are 22 pages of black and white photographs by Jeremy Foss and Randy Hillner that clearly document the raising of a frame, beginning to end. The last chapter of the book describes the building of a 12' x 16' timber frame shed. There are drawings, a timber schedule and complete raising plan to test you new found skills. This was done in the March 1980 issue of Rodale's New Shelter magazine, including a clapboards and a slate roof. Also included are a seven page Glossary, a two page Bibliography, a five page Appendix of drawings of basic timber framing joints and their uses. The Timber Framing Book is a great way to get a clear understanding of timber frames before graduating to books by other authors like Tedd Benson. This book is a must have for any timber framer's toolbox.