**FULL!** The compound workshop is full
Scribing Compound Roof Systems Using Plumb Line Scribe
August 22-29, 2011
This workshop is an advanced course that will attempt to unlock the mysteries of compound geometry and joinery using the techniques of developed drawings and Plumb Line Scribe. Plumb Line Scribe was born from the French Scribe system, which has been used for centuries in France and is still taught and practiced today. Having the advantage of hundreds of years of practice, French Scribe is a balance of accuracy and speed, whereas Plumb Line Scribe includes refinements that tips that balance more toward accuracy. There are many advantages to this system, including the freedom to use whatever material you have available. Unlike other systems that require short, perfectly planed timbers, or a multitude of corrective housings as in Square rule, Plumb Line Scribe achieves beautifully simple joinery with the highest level of precision by adjusting for all the unique characteristics of each member while you layout the joinery.
The course will break down the concepts of compound geometry to its most basic elements and show how this knowledge can be easily developed on, or transferred to, the workshop floor. Another advantage of this system is the simplification and elimination of most of the drawings and complex trigonometry usually necessary to layout and cut a frame with compound joinery, and to advance this point, we will begin the workshop with only conceptual drawings and design the frame in class. As the week progresses, students will create the few basic working drawings needed, and then continue through the techniques to scribe and cut a small frame with a hipped roof. For those of you who have either struggled through compound layout, cutting and design, or simply longed for an easier way, this a great opportunity to get a hands-on learning experience presented in a way that we expect will stay with you for the rest of your timber framing career. This workshop is unplugged, so plan to bring your handsaws and axes.
Click here to preview the .pdf drawing of the compound frame that will be created at the class.
Tentative Daily Outline
- August 22 (Monday)
:: Dinner at 6:00 PM
:: Student – Instructor introductions
:: Meet in classroom for workshop /Pingree Park orientations
:: Overview of course and project
:: Slide show- projects with PLS - August 23 (Tuesday)
:: Meet in classroom after breakfast
:: Designing the frame
:: Structural and aesthetic advantages of designing a PLS frame
:: Discussions and demonstrations
:: Lining the floor - wall layup
:: Imperfect timber/Datum’s
:: Lining straight and curved timbers/ Hardpoints
:: Laying in timber/Scribing basics
:: Work day concludes when 2 wall lay-ups are scribed - August 24 (Wednesday)
:: Discussions and demonstrations
:: Finishing the layout
:: Subtleties of cutting scribed timbers
:: Join and fitup first two walls
:: Scribing last two walls
:: Evening discussion – transitioning to other lay-ups
:: Line and lay in tie plate - August 25 (Thursday)
:: Cut and fitup last two wall sections :: Scribe, cut and fitup tie plate
:: Evening discussion - Compound geometry, Rise, run and rotated angles. - August 26 (Friday)
:: Discussion and demonstrations
:: Line out floor for diagonal sections
:: Lining rotated timbers using Hardpoints
:: Scribing low angle and rotated timbers
:: Tipping boards and blocks
:: Line timbers, lay in and scribe
:: Cut and fitup diagonal sections
:: Evening Discussion Backing angle constructions - August 27 (Saturday)
:: Discussions and demonstrations
:: Scribing compound joinery
:: Cutting compound joinery with hand tools
:: Hip-Jack – Plate layup scribe and cut - August 28 (Sunday)
:: Finish joinery to jacks and hips
:: Assemble raise and cleanup
:: Evening party - August 29(Monday)
:: Departure
Taught by Glenn Dodge