Weekly School Update: Session #1
Preliminary Session: May 16 – May 18
Session #1: June 2 – June 8
Sunshine, Sub floor, and the First Bent
by Diane Olthuis
Timber framer Jon Gantenbein arrived in Black Rapids on May 15, 2003. Planer chips piled up as the professional crew prepared 108 timbers for the building sub floor. They skillfully cut mortises and tenons. Witold and Rich Landon are pondering the sill plate timbers.
The first timber framing class started on June 2, 2003. Larry, Mark and Rick arrived bursting with enthusiasm. (We learned that if anyone needed a liver transplant, Mark could take care of it). The project scale model was set up on the dining room floor. The students were given a lesson in blueprint reading and laying out joints. Jon taught them how to use a chain-mortising machine. Larry shows off his 1881-boring machine. Rick had great fun moving heavy timbers with the skid loader. They were planning timbers and laying out tenons the second day. The class is striving to have the first bent joined by June 8, 2003.
The weather has been wonderful in Black Rapids, warm and sunny! Jon says that there is still space for students in later classes! Do come by and check out the progress!
Photos from Session #1:
[Lots of Pictures]
Articles and Photos:
Introduction
Session #1: June 2 – June 8
Session #2: June 12 – June 18
Session #3: June 23 – June 29
Session #4: July 3 – July 9
Session #5: July 14 – July 20
Session #6: July 24 – July 30
Session #7: August 4 – August 10
Session #8: August 14 – August 20
Session #9: August 18 – August 24
The Final Push: Weeks 10 and 11
Letter to Prospective Students and a Letter from Jon Gantenbein, one of our Timber Framing Instructors.
Sponsored by the Black Rapids Trust, Inc. a newly formed non-profit.