Recent content by Nor'Easter

This seems to be the consensus in the industry. I'm not totally convinced the cost is worth it. FOHC material, for us at least, brings about a 30-45% increase material cost. Wood generally shrinks at the highest rate tangentially, IE tangent to the growth ring. Followed by radial, or...

The timber frame in the office was originally designed in pine, but I decided to build it out of doug fir for the wow factor. These are SS (Select Structural) FOHC (Free of Heart Center) Kiln Dried (KD) Douglas Fir timbers.

In July '26 I started digging for the monolithic slab. I formed everything with 2" hemlock boards and 36" pins. I drove the pins in using my Makita SDS cordless hammer, setting each pin top at top of slab with the Stabila LA200. This slab is incredibly overkill for most applications, however...

Looking for insight/recommendations on Rigid pipe threader models and sizing. Application is 1/2" to 1-1/4" UNC threads up to 12" long on much longer stock (10'+). No use for NPT/pipe thread cutting, if it makes any difference.

In June 2025 we had another ex for a month to complete the following: Drainage structures, rip rap ponds, banks, install septic tank, pump station, field, export ~600yds excess fill, prep exported area for building #2 pad, raise existing driveway culvert, install subbase and drainage to...

Early spring 2025 I built a 25' single span gate after striking out in finding a pre-fabricated gate that I liked (and could afford). Most generic prefab units were going to be north of $3,000, I think this was just over $1,000 for all the materials. Hindsight 20/20, the gate hitch post has...

'24 was a busy time for us. In September we raised our largest frame to date, a 38' x 156' lodge ("barnhouse" per the owner). Clearspan all the way thru except for a sleeping loft (1 bedroom!). And another smaller frame near Bethel, Maine. The wood alone for this building was in the six...

Dec. 2023 I rented a large excavator (Komatsu PC138) for a month and pulled stumps, rocks, and even more rocks. Most of them were positioned into a wall of sorts that our retention ponds would lean against. Others were set up around the perimeter in the woods just to get them out of the way...

We've framed and enclosed the office, currently framing out the shop. I have a backlog of progress that I will drop in every few days.

Our property is 2 acres and went through an exhaustive (and expensive) planning and approval process. Being commercial in our town, we were subject to full site plan, survey, stormwater engineering, environmental impact, and complete building engineering package. Among timber frame projects in...

Being very by-the-book, my search for land was limited by zoning acceptance. Primarily, multiple business uses and the option to use the property as a residence. It took from 2019 to 2023 to find an appropriate piece of property. We ended up on the Rt 302 corridor between Portland ME and...

Welcome, I joined this forum when I was still a teenager and frequently marveled at the many large workshops and barns showcased here. A decade+ down the road it's now my turn. TLDR: I began working in the timber frame industry in 2011 after high school. After 5 years building countless...

I inadvertently purchased a large box of 3M 5" DA pads in the Stikit (adhesive) style vs. the Hookit (velcro). I'd prefer not to toss $125 in discs but cannot locate a simple adapter pad that will attach to an electric DA with velcro, that adapts to a hard face that the Skitit disc can adhere...

Eliminate your beam & post running parallel to ridge. Use that money to buy a deeper main beam. You'll lose a few inches of clearance, but never hit your vehicle doors on the post. Not comment on bracing/building tie in.

I have a similar plan to lease a portion of a new building while my business takes the remainder. If each unit will be plumbed you should care to control that the units are kept at a min temp to prevent freezing. I plan to have radiant in the leased area but set to min (50) and include this...