LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

My shop is squeezed into 20' x 20'….
A lot has happened in my life since I had that shop. I sold my house, bought some land, had a new house built. I had to put all of my tools into storage for a year while the house was built, but in doing that I have had the opportunity to build my dream shop, and I am almost there. First, living in North Carolina my lot was blessed with many large Long Leaf and Loblolly Pines. I had all of the logs saved and then milled. That happened in January 2018. The house was completed in July 2018 and I was able again to shoehorn most of my tools back into a new 20' x 20' space. Meanwhile I had my turn-down pad poured for my new shop. It is 20' x 40'. At that point I was able to start working my timbers. My first inclination was to do all of my mortises in a multi-step process; 1. hog out the majority with a drill. 2. Use a 3 1/2" deep Ammana straight router bit and a jig to clean out as much as I could. 3. Get the remaining depth with traditional timber framing chisels. After completing two columns I quickly learned that my shoulders were not going to take that kind of beating. I broke down and spent the $1600 for a Makita Chain Mortiser. I worked through all of my tenons with both my 10" Makita and 8 14" Skil circular saws. Even with all of the power tools anyone who has done any timber framing knows just how much hand chisel work is left…alot! The parts consisted of 6" x 8" x 12' columns, 6" x 8" x 16' Rafters, 6" x 10" x 20' cross ties, 6" x 6" x 7" queen posts, 4" x 6" knee braces, 6"x 6" rafter ties, 3" x 6" x 10' purlins, 2" x 6 " girts, 1" x 10" siding boards and 1" x 3" battens. I started manufacturing parts in November 2018 and finished that process in early March 2019. I then started assembly of my bents. There was a total of 5 bents which I completed by March 25th. I arraigned for a crew to help me with the barn raising on March 30th. I ordered a crane and operator for the day. I can tell you that I was a nervous wreck that day. The bents are designed for compression loads not tension loads and I cringed every time one as lifted from the horizontal to the vertical and then hoisted into position. It took us 8 hours but 8 guys who have never timber framed before in their lives were able to get the job done. All major construction was finished late July 2019 and I had my last inspection in the first week of August. I am now putting in the finishing touches of extra electrical and I am ready to move my tools in. The next big step will be to arrange the shop. That could be a huge job in itself!

-Michael A. Brailsford

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
38 Posts
Thanks! When I get closer to getting it organized I will show more.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
874 Posts
that's greatness there! Well done.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
969 Posts
Beautiful job! I have friends here who do timber framing. I gave them my Norwood bandsaw mill when I moved to the UP. I didn't have room for it and they couldn't afford to buy one. I will have them build something for me of these days!
Any relation in Wilmington, NC? We used to rent space from a Norman Brailsford. I worked for Educational Record Center until Jim and Bess Long retired…
 

· Registered
Joined
·
38 Posts
Thanks so much for the kind words. What a small world, Norman is my father, and he is still there working everyday.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
604 Posts
sure, but can you make an edge grain cutting board?

j/k - this is amazing!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3 Posts
If you can do work like this, you deserve a shop that big.
Wow what an undertaking.
Well done and enjoy the space!
 

· Banned
Joined
·
18,919 Posts
if you can build a timber framed building i dont think there is probably much you couldn't do.that is the mark of a master carpenter.cant wait to see what you do inside.beautiful work.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,434 Posts
Nice work and a great looking design. Yes I have shop envy :)
 

· Banned
Joined
·
5,339 Posts
a simply beautiful shop loving the second story wood storage ? GREAT SHOP :<)))))
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,567 Posts
You say

"I broke down and spent the $1600 for a Makita Chain Mortiser."


I say

IOW you had a moment of mental clarity, and the lightbulb went on. Believe me if the founding Fathers would have had access to such tools, our "traditional woodworking" would not be what it is today.

You say

"It took us 8 hours but 8 guys who have never timber framed before in their lives were able to get the job done."


I say

OUTSTANDING JOB!!!!!!

"The next big step will be to arrange the shop. That could be a huge job in itself!"

I used mine as a huge open space for a few years, and this Spring got busy on trying to make all of the wall cabs, and surrounding benches, and lower cabs, and it is a HUGE job, but hey it is still woodworking, so it's like magic every moment you put into it.

Thanks for posting, it is a wondrous shop space, and I wish you all the best in using it to your hearts content.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
3,619 Posts
That would be a dream shop! Well done. Only question, windows?
 

· Registered
Joined
·
969 Posts
Nice to meet you Michael! Glad to hear that your father is doing well! Tell him hello from me (though I don't think he'll remember! Just tell him that I was Jimmy's artist guy.)

Me working on my yard at Hunters Trail.

My old motorcycle. He should remember that!
 

Attachments

· Registered
Joined
·
38 Posts
That would be a dream shop! Well done. Only question, windows?

- Andre
I have framed in for windows, 4 per side. That will be an ongoing project. I need to build some stuff to help pay for this thing first. Also I am looking for a good design for a rustic awning window.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
4,326 Posts
Nice work Michael,
I think I will ask cricket to block me from being able to look at any more of your projects from now on!

That's one impressive tin shed !
 

· Registered
Joined
·
60 Posts
beauty! Nice job on the timber framing.
 
Top