Timberframe Saw Horse

That’s really cool – I’d put those teflon furniture slider pads on its feet so you could push it around the shop easily, as it looks like a real beast to carry.
There is obvioulsy little to worry about in terms of what could possibly be to big a load.

-- Its never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

Nice job…looks like it would hold up a house.

-- Don S.E. OK

Man, what are you sawing on that thing… sections of battleship armor? :) :)

That’s one good looking, and stone cold serious, sawhorse.

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

A house? battleship armor? I think it’s the start of a rocking horse for a baby Hulk…wow, a great course and a serious piece of woodwork.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

Two of them with a top on and a few vises and you’ve got a fabulous work bench great I love it really well made Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

I can see why they start with this project. All elements of timberframing are there in the sawhorse. Besides as you found out, bringing the log up to a reasonable height is important for joint work, so this is an important tool in timberframing.

Nice job. So are you going to build a timberframe home next?

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

Having had a few sawhorses give way – made from those wonderfully cheap brace kits – I bet that yours will last a life time…probably the only con to that would be the weight…

I have built a few timberframe type barns and carports…and believe me they are sturdy. I have yet to hear of one collapsing even when having a load of snow, heavy hail or high winds.

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

Cool design, when are you going to build the other one?

-- Bob A in NJ

Thanks all.
For those of you that wonder what I’m putting on these horses, think back to the last time you were in an old barn. Remember those huge hand hewn beams? They could be 12 by 12 and 30 or more feet long. In class we had 2 33’ top plates and 1 33’ ridge pole each 8”x10” on one set so we could transfer rafter measurements quickly. SO yeah they need to be heavy duty.

Yes all, at least most timberframe elements are in the saw horse. Being such a small brace made it even more important to be precise. I am “boarding” one of my classmates horse until he can pick it up, if he does, so I have not rushed to make a second. If I were to make a second set I would consider making a set 30” tall, for there are times when I can get pretty low.

I will look for the drawings we did and try to post them, or make expanded drawings to show more detail.

Timberframe structure date back 500 or more years in Europe and probably more in some Asian countries. My instructor was from Switzerland and said had worked on many buildings over 300 years old. He told us that as long as the roof was good a timberframe could weather plenty, but once too much water gets at the frame, thats when the problems start.
For those who want to look at more timberframing just look up Tedd Benson, who just worked with This Old House and Jack Sobon, both of who are the more recognizable names in Timberframing.
Enjoy!
Chris

-- I don't know what God is. But I know what He ISN'T - Jordan Maxwell

New Energy Works Timberframers does pretty good work too. www.newenergyworks.com

Not sure if I’m supposed to post that, but I work with them and believe we also build and outfit some very nice homes.

JP

Some really haevy duty sawhorses.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Heavy duty well done

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com