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42 of 42 found the following review helpful:
 From Theory to Practice and Back Again Feb 01, 2000
By kvsnyder@ricochet.net
This is a serious book...for serious timberframers and those who seriously aspire to become a timberframer or build their own timber frame house. My copy of the 1st edition was passed out to the participants of a 1998 onsite Fox Maple timber frame workshop in High Rolls, New Mexico. It served as our 'bible' as we selected, planed, laid out, cut, chiseled, mortised, fastened, and erected the timber frame members for the Robinson's house overlooking a spectacular mountian valley. The workshop manual served as our daytime reference and our nightime reading. After the workshop and to this day, when I reread the manual, it serves to recapture many memorable moments of successes and screw ups. But, more importantly, it gave this reviewer the fundamental information I needed to decide to build my own timber frame house and to invite Fox Maple to Stuart Island, Washington in August, 1999 for another workshop where the 2nd Edition was again distributed to the workshop participants. Steve Chappell is a master craftsman and teacher. He is a passionate advocate for timber framing and a wants to infect and educate the reader with the spirit of working with big pieces of wood and the art and science of creating structures which will withstand the rigors of time and use. I consider the 'Timber Framer's Workshop' a valuable addition to my library because it delves deeply into the "whys" of timber framing with lots of illustrations of the "hows" to support the theory. Chappell minimizes the use of photos except to clarify the reader's understanding of favorable results or competent practices. Don't be frightened off my Chappell's use of and illustration of mathematics. You may have a similar experience to mine, ie. I more fully understand why high school geometry and trigonometry were important.
43 of 44 found the following review helpful:
I actually used the methods in this book to build my barn! Feb 07, 2000
By Bob McKelvey
I actually used the methods in this book to build my 40 X 30, four-bent barn. I can't say enough about this book. From the dedication to the index this timber frame manual was crafted in the same manner as author Steve Chappell's structures: solid, precise and with artful beauty. This book teaches everything from the basic tools to advanced joinery and details everything you need to build a traditional timber frame structure. The illustrations are great and the exercises are extremely useful. "A Timber Framer's Workshop" is an essential reference tool for anyone who's serious about timber framing.
25 of 27 found the following review helpful:
An invaluable, reader-friendly how-to guide for the novice. Feb 03, 2000
By Midwest Book Review
Timber framing has been an essential part of our building and architectural culture since the Middle Ages. It remains as one of constructions most enduring forms, not only because of its intrinsic beauty, but because it is a pure and complete structural system. In A Timber Framer's Workshop: Joinery, Design & Construction Of Traditional Timber Frames, Steve Chappell covers every aspect of the process timber framing including joinery, design, construction, frame plans, tools, timber and wood, technology, engineering, builders math, and goes on to offer a wealth of tips, tricks, and techniques. A Timber Framer's Workshop is exceptionally well written and will prove an invaluable introduction for the novice, with much to commend it to even experienced architects, construction crews, and specialty timber framers.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
Must have book for the beginning and advanced Dec 02, 2004
By Daniel G. Dwelley
The book is well written and very easy to follow. Steve walks through the history, design considerations, math, and knowledge needed to get started. I've read lots of Timber framing books and this is the first book I grab for reference. If you are trying to decide which book to buy...Look at "A Timber Framer's Workshop" FIRST!
32 of 39 found the following review helpful:
A core title for any carpentry/architectural reference shelf Sep 07, 2000
By Midwest Book Review
In A Timber Framer's Workshop: Joinery, Design & Construction Of Traditional Timber Frames is a complete instruction course under one cover in the carpentry craft and architectural art of building with timber framing technology. Included are engineering basics, builders math, tips, techniques, tools, and structural design considerations. Chapters are devoted to Bent Framing & Joinery Design, Tension Joinery, Roof Framing & Truss Design, Joinery Details, and more! A Timber Framer's Workshop is a core title for any professional, academic, or community library carpentry, architecture, and woodworking collections.
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