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Cruck Framing With Jack Sobon And Neil Godden
August 17 - 25, 2013
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 20, 2013

Class project, 2013 - courtesy of Timber Homes LLC
Click on image for larger view.Course Description: This workshop will feature Cruck building, a medieval timber framing technique dating back to at least 12th century England. Cruck blades are large paired timbers cut from naturally curved logs, functioning as both post and principal rafter. Rising from the sills and joined at their apex and creating a sort of “A” in cross section, these frames are both beautiful and structurally stable.

In this cruck building workshop, we will frame a three bent structure using both the “square rule” and the “scribe rule” (both French and English). Students will receive thorough instruction in the traditional methods of square rule layout and cutting for the straight sawn members. For the crucks and other curved components, they will learn how to shape them with axes and other hand tools and then join those using traditional scribing techniques. The workshop will culminate with the raising of the structure. Some previous timber framing experience is preferred but not required.

Finished cruck frame, courtesy of Scott and Nancy Carlson, www.sweetgrassjoinery.com
Click on image for larger view. Mr. Sobon has researched old cruck-framed buildings in England, Scotland, and Wales and started a revival of the tradition here with his first cruck building in 1985. Mr. Godden honed his skills working for Sobon in the 90’s and together they have been responsible for the design and construction of dozens of new cruck-framed structures. They will present slide shows of both the historical background of the tradition and of their own work in new timber.

Tentative Daily Outline

  • Saturday: August 17th
    :: Student and Instructor Meet and Greet
    :: Workshop and Pingree Park Orientations
    :: Overview of course and project

  • Sunday: August 18th
    :: Intro to Square Rule
    :: Understanding the drawings
    :: Safety
    :: Demonstrate sill layout and cutting
    :: Students begin cutting

  • Monday: August 19th
    :: Assemble sills, square, level, and brace
    :: Cruck selection and hewing/sawing
    :: Cruck layout on sills
    :: Cut apex & foot of first pair

  • Tuesday: August 20th
    :: Cruck scribing
    :: Begin longitudinal framing

  • Wednesday: August 21st
    :: Continue cruck scribing
    :: Continue longitudinal framing

  • Thursday: August 22nd
    :: Continue cruck scribing

  • Friday: August 23nd
    :: Continue cruck scribing

  • Saturday: August 24th
    ::Cut rafters and ridge

  • Sunday: August 25th
    :: Safety speech
    :: Raise building
    :: Pictures
    :: Dismantle and load structure
    :: Site cleanup & departure

Taught by Neil Godden and Jack Sobon.