Timber Frame Construction: All About Post and Beam Building

If you have only dreamed about the beauty of building with timbers, this book will open your eyes. It will convince you that this method is not only practical today for homes and other buildings, but often is less expensive than "stick building." Timber frame builder Jack Sobon and writer Roger Schroeder offer a book for builders as well as those wishing to have the work done for them. Here is practical how-to for both beginners and experienced carpenters who want to try this method. It offers: The basics of timber framing. How to design for strength and beauty. How to combine modern tools and time-tested methods. A starter project: How to build a 12 x 16 garden tool shed. Dozens of illustrations and photos that make it all easy to understand. "A sprightly manual on post-and-beam building techniques, well-illustrated with sketches and photos.". — Book Description from Amazon

A Timber Framer's Workshop: Joinery, Design & Construction of Traditional Timber Frames

Among owner-builders, the traditional timber frame has been held as a pinnacle of achievement--for its rich history, unsurpassed beauty, and the sense of accomplishment it can offer. As founder and director of Fox Maple School of Traditional Building, Steve Chappell--author of A TIMBER FRAMER'S WORKSHOP--is in a unique position to share the knowledge he's acquired over the past 30 years. The title page says this book has been a work in progress for 15 years. The detail offered in illustrations and explanations supports that completely. Design and engineering make up a good part of this book but it also includes an essential introduction, a section on tools, wood characteristics, and joint details, among many other subjects. The point is, Chappell's 256-page book should not be overlooked if you are serious about timber framing. — From Back Home Magazine, Sept/Oct 1999

The Craft of Modular Post & Beam: Building log and timber homes affordably

The post-and-beam method of construction, which uses a sturdy framework of logs or hewn timbers, has become increasingly popular. Builder and instructor Mitchell has developed a method of making such structures in modular sections. He takes the reader from tree to finished house, showing how to cut logs, hew them into workable sizes, and join them together. He also illustrates wall construction, making openings for windows and doors, and making foundations for differing site conditions. Although the techniques Mitchell uses are difficult, the instructions and illustrations are clear. Log construction has come a long way since Daniel Boone's time. Axes have been traded for chain saws and routers. But working with logs is still heavy, dangerous work. Although safety is touched upon, it's assumed that the reader is experienced. Recommended for public libraries with extensive building collections. Jonathan N. Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., Ohio. Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. —From Library Journal