Timber Frame Tractor Home

dullpain · Dec 12, 2006

Excellent timber frame structure, both the Amish and you can be proud of your craftsmanship. Great pics and documentation of the progress, just like we TBN'ers like it.

Noticed that most of the mortise and tenon joints look "WET" in pics. Did you use some type of lube to ease assembly , or some glue to hold dowels ??

What does a package like that cost , how much to ship ?

EddieWalker · Dec 12, 2006

Kevin,

Thanks for posting your project. This is gonna be allot of fun to follow as you progress!!!!!

I'm not familiar with the Amish other than what I've seen on TV or read hear on different posts. How do they mill out your logs? Do some of them use power tools? Are there different types of Amish?

Like most people, I'm a huge fan of timber frame buildings. They are without a doubt, the most beautifly type of building that you could have. Do you have a house there already? I'm just wondering if you'll build a timber frame house to match your barn?

Eddie

nolefan · Dec 12, 2006

Kevin, My hat's off to you as well for a great project with plenty of photos. I also have been accused at times of overbuilding but I'd rather it be "overbuilt" than "underbuilt"! My wife and I considered timber frame construction for our NC house but cost was too prohibitive. After seeing your project I think I will strongly consider a timber frame barn when I get around to adding one. Thanks again for taking the time to document and share your project. Can't wait to see progress updates and the finished product.

BlacknTan · Dec 12, 2006

That frame is a work of art!

Thanks for posting the pics.........

khd · Dec 12, 2006

Egon said:
Thank you very much for the pictures of your new barn building process. It's a work of art!

Now tell us, why did you hide it out back out of the way? In my estimation such work should be front and center!

Thank you Egon. Coming from you is a compliment with your love of the tradiional. Its not hidden though it is nicely framed byu the house on one side and a wood line on the other in full view of the road.

Kevin

khd · Dec 12, 2006

wroughtn_harv said:
Kevin you're living my dream. Pinch yourself twice, one of them for me.

Glenda's ironing her clothes over my shoulder early in the morning and we're both in awe.

Keep the pictures coming.

Harv:

On Saturday when I started assembling I was the same way. Never thought I would actually get to do it especially since I've been wanting to do this going on 35 years now.

Kevin

khd · Dec 12, 2006

jk96 said:
Amen.....Kevin, this couldn't be more true. I get a kick out of hearing how much people like their local Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc. Great pics by the way. Congrats.

jk

jk:

The best part was he didn't charge me a dime to do it. All I need to do is frequent his establishment when I buy building material and he is happy enough.

Kevin

khd · Dec 12, 2006

dullpain said:
Excellent timber frame structure, both the Amish and you can be proud of your craftsmanship. Great pics and documentation of the progress, just like we TBN'ers like it.

Noticed that most of the mortise and tenon joints look "WET" in pics. Did you use some type of lube to ease assembly , or some glue to hold dowels ??

What does a package like that cost , how much to ship ?

Dull:

The wet you see is Linseed oil and terpentine. The frame has not been oiled and there is some debate on the value of oiling a frame while its still green but I at least wanted to oil the mortise and tennons prior to assembly to help fight water migration in the joinery while its standing naked.

As far as cost goes, the original okay given by the boss was for a couple of thousand dollar shed, lets just say that I could probably get quite a large pole building for what I will have into when done. Astetics outweigh size in this. As far as shipping; it was under $1k to bring 15,000 lbs 200 miles and it wasn't easy to find someone to do it.

Regards,
Kevin

khd · Dec 12, 2006

EddieWalker said:
Kevin,

Thanks for posting your project. This is gonna be allot of fun to follow as you progress!!!!!

I'm not familiar with the Amish other than what I've seen on TV or read hear on different posts. How do they mill out your logs? Do some of them use power tools? Are there different types of Amish?

Like most people, I'm a huge fan of timber frame buildings. They are without a doubt, the most beautifly type of building that you could have. Do you have a house there already? I'm just wondering if you'll build a timber frame house to match your barn?

Eddie

Eddie:

There are secular differences from one Amish community to the next but basically the faith descends from the menonites. In a nut shell the faith lives a simple life without material possesion to avoid "competition". Although they forego modern convienence in the home the faith allows their use in their jobs, i.e. power tools, phones, computers, etc. Since the availablity and cost of farm land prevents younger Amish from having and working farms more and more seek work in the "English" world.

This frame was cut with power tools as the group I contracted is in the business of producing frames, not production frames but none the less this is what sustains their families. When I went to visit their shop we had to go to the owner's farm to get him. When we got there he was out in the field on his draft horses cutting hay. He took us to the shop where they cut them which was just a simple building, a few power tools, a generator to power them and lots of oak.

Regards,
Kevin

cmhyland · Dec 14, 2006

That little barn is going to be sweet. Sometimes when the building size is right for the property and the style just fits, it all really comes together.

This is our little barn just built last year.

rox · Dec 14, 2006

cmhyland,

Yur little shed is soooooooo pretty. It is adorable. Love the windows over top of the main door, and the colors, the pitch of the roof, the grills in the windows, jsut everything. It is jsut adorable. Aother really excellent example in this thread about a small building with style. Beautiful job.

khd · Dec 14, 2006

cmhyland said:
That little barn is going to be sweet. Sometimes when the building size is right for the property and the style just fits, it all really comes together.

This is our little barn just built last year.

cmhyland:

You have the same idea I do, its all about porportion and detail. When I stand inside the frame its massivness changes its size and the detail I have in my mind will make it fit.

Your barn is very nice and its the details that sets it apart. Did you do a thread about when it was built? I think I remember it.

Regards,
Kevin

cmhyland · Dec 14, 2006

Rox,
Thank you for your comments. The little barn is pretty traditional in terms of New England style.

Of corse, if this were France I might have had to build it from field stone!

I've seen a few if those and man they are beautiful... Down south of here they used to build what they called stone enders. The gable ends were stone with post and beam side walls... Really a beautiful look.

So, sighting the building properly, making sure it does not overpower your property and the trim details make for something special.

KHD is building something special.

Regards,
Chris

cmhyland · Dec 14, 2006

Kevin,
I did do a thread when we built it....

Your little gem is really going to look nice. From what I see you could have built out much more space for the money, but instead opted for very high quality... It will really show in the end..

I have people stop and come to the house and ask about the our barn...

You will to if people can see it from the road.

Keep up the good work.

Regards,
Chris

cmhyland · Dec 14, 2006

Here is a great link to a Barn Building Co.

Check out the galleries for each of the barn stlyes... Lots of great ideas.

http://www.countrycarpenters.com/

Steverino · Dec 14, 2006

KHD simply put this is one of the coolest DIY projects I have ever seen. I concur with all the positive comments and compliments, Thanks for sharing. - Steve

khd · Dec 15, 2006

cmhyland said:
Here is a great link to a Barn Building Co.

Check out the galleries for each of the barn stlyes... Lots of great ideas.

Post & Beam Barns, Post & Beam Carriage Houses & Post & Beam Garden Sheds.

Chris:

I sent an e-mail to Country Carpenters when I very first started and never got a return so I moved on but I have had their site bookmarked for years as well as 10's and 10's of other barn related links plus book after book about barns that I have collected over the years.

The only thing that is really in question right now is eaves and soffits because I haven't seen exactly how the rafter tails will lay when erected but that will come.

Right now I am contemplating windows and venting. I picked up a 5 light transom for dirt cheap and right now that will go above the girt on the back wall at about the 10' level. The non-lean-to sidewall is a west exposure that will provide some very nice natural light so I am looking at fixed pane stained glass. There will be one in each bay above the top nailer as I want to keep the height intact by keeping these details up high. I haven't quite found the right ones yet as I am debating simple geometrics vs. ornate. I do know that I am leaning toward red glass as the light produced by it will contrast the golden color of the oak.

I am a huge fan of copper and thought I would like to use it for metal deatil such as gable vents, etc. but have now shyed away as the roof will be galvanized steel so now all metal detail will be galvanized steel plus I really like the look.

Regards,
Kevin

khd · Dec 15, 2006

Steverino said:
KHD simply put this is one of the coolest DIY projects I have ever seen. I concur with all the positive comments and compliments, Thanks for sharing. - Steve

Thanks Steve

Kevin

cmhyland · Dec 15, 2006

Kevin,
On the steel roofing... Is that the standing seam metal? If so you can get that stuff in lots of nice colors... My neighbor did an outstanding barn with it and the roof is green... Really nice. I think it runs about $300 a sq. But it's good for like 75 years.

Metal Shingles - Steel Shingles from Metal Roofing Wholesalers

Copper really ages nicely... I'm going to put up a tastefully sized Coupola with a copper roof and weathervane...

Take a look...

Country Cupolas - The Country Gentleman ® - An American Tradition.

When I say tastefully sized, of corse I mean approved by my wife...

Regards,
Chris