Designing a small barn. Where to begin??

[ckprivette]

60 miles or so. little place called Wilkesboro.

I really like the plan for the 16X24 shed you linked me to. I think that I could make that work, and so I've asked the original poster if a more detailed version is available so I can see if the joinery is within my skill set. we'll see what happens. thank you,
cp

[Jim_Rogers]

60 miles or so. little place called Wilkesboro.

Did you see that I'm coming to NC in July to teach a workshop?

You're welcome to come over, it appears to be about 3 hours drive east of you.

Jim Rogers

[ckprivette]

I'd like that, Jim. What are the dates? Cost?

thanks heaps!
chris

[Jim_Rogers]

Check this out:

https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,73102.0.html

then send me an email and I'll send you some more info jrsawmill (at) verizon (dot) net.

Jim Rogers

[Thehardway]

I see your probably about 3-3.5 hrs SW of me.  That's some pretty country out there.  I'm about 40mi. N of Danville VA, 1.5 hrs, N. of Greensboro, NC.

If you can take advantage of Jim's school that would be awesome.  I would go myself but funds are too tight this year.  Too many projects and too little time and money.

I've met Scott Smith who is hosting the event and he is a great guy too.  We worked on Joel Eisner's frame together.

I hope those plans work out for you.  Don't underestimate yourself in doing joinery work. If you have basic carpentry skills and can keep a chisel sharp and read the grain of the wood you are halfway there.  Leave your timber long and cut the most difficult joint first. If you mess up cut it off and try again. Once you get the difficult joint done then do the next most complex and so on.   Its only wood. If your timber gets too short for a post or beam you turn it into a scantling and mill out another ;D

Strive for perfection but don't feel bad if you make mistakes and fall short.  There is a margin of error acceptable and even the tightest of joints will show gaps in a couple years when the wood shrinks.  This is where having a good design comes in.  A well designed joint will move gracefully without failing as the timber shrinks and in some cases it will even get stronger.
Make yourself a couple of Roosters Mare and Colt saw horses as a practice project and they will really help you out and be indispensable to your shop as well.
Keep us posted on your progress. We like to see pictures 8)