The Timber Framing Book [Paperback]

Stewart Elliott (Author), Eugenie Wallas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2005

This is a thorough and profusely illustrated guide to building a timber-frame house. Grounded in ancient tradition, timber-frame construction is admirably suited to fulfill today’s need for durable, energy-efficient housing and other building needs. First published in 1977, this book is now in its ninth printing and is established as a classic in the field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"“This book is extraordinarily good in every way. I can’t recall ever seeing a book on any subject that was so easy to understand.”
J. Baldwin, Co Evolution Quarterly "

Product Details

• Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Housesmith Press; 1ST edition (March 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918238013
• ISBN-13: 978-0918238016
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent primer to timberframing, a must read., January 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Timber Framing Book (Paperback)

Originally copyrighted in 1977, The Timber Framing Book was one of the first books published about the timber framing revival. Stewart Elliott and Eugenie Wallas have carefully crafted a simple book on the basics, including planning, mathematics and simple engineering, layout, joint cutting and raising. There are a large number of very nice drawings by Linda Foss that illustrate all aspects of timber frames. In the center of the book are 22 pages of black and white photographs by Jeremy Foss and Randy Hillner that clearly document the raising of a frame, beginning to end. The last chapter of the book describes the building of a 12' x 16' timber frame shed. There are drawings, a timber schedule and complete raising plan to test you new found skills. This was done in the March 1980 issue of Rodale's New Shelter magazine, including a clapboards and a slate roof. Also included are a seven page Glossary, a two page Bibliography, a five page Appendix of drawings of basic timber framing joints and their uses. The Timber Framing Book is a great way to get a clear understanding of timber frames before graduating to books by other authors like Tedd Benson. This book is a must have for any timber framer's toolbox.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent guide for beginners, July 8, 2001

By 

Kendall (braham, mn United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Timber Framing Book (Paperback)

This book is excellent for all beginners and experienced carpenters alike. It gives all the information needed to complete a timber frame project, and gives the info in easy to understand terminalogy. It has good examples of all the types of joinery needed for a timber frame. I have just finished doing a 16 x 24 foot pottery building that has turned out very nice. I made all my plans and cut the timbers by using the information in this book. It has been a valuable tool in the process.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptionally 'user friendly' introduction, November 4, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Timber Framing Book, The (Paperback)

Profusely illustrated with diagrams by Linda Foss and photos by Jeremy Foss and Randy Hillner, "The Timber Framing Book" is a superbly written and organized 169-page instruction manual co-authored by timber framing experts Stewart Elliott and Eugenie Walls. Beginning with a historical and commentary on timber framing, individual chapters focus on 'Getting Started', 'The Frame', and then go on to the technical details of framing calculations and measurements, joinery, laying out and cutting joints, laying out and cutting braces, rafters, traditional decorative treatments of timbers, 'Raisin' Day', frame design and timber orders, then conclude with a chapter dedicated to building a 12' by 16' shed. Enhanced with the inclusion of a three page bibliography, a glossary of specialized terms, and an appendix of line-drawn illustrations, "The Timber Framing Book" is an exceptionally 'user friendly' introduction to the basics of timber framing and a very strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Architecture and Woodworking reference collections.