Barn Geek Question

[forgeblast]

Hi all, I just recently bought an older hudson sawmill, came with a welded 24' frame and another 8' to bolt on.   
I now have a great tool to help me come up with a building I would like to make.
I am a greenwood worker (carve spoons, and turn on a spring pole lathe). I would like to put a large barn on my property to teach classes in. 
I was looking at timber frame, and then came across the post and beam site of barn geeks (com).
I love the 40x50 horse barn and feel that would fit in the space I have and with the aesthetic I am going for too. 
My problem is that I cannot find any other sites that people mention using their plans or techniques. 
I would be using hardwoods (mostly black birch) for the barn. 
Has anyone used them?
Heard of them?
Recommend them?
Any other suggestions
Thank you for your time, Once I get the mill leveled and cutting Ill be posting more pictures.
thanks

[Roger Nair]

Since the barn geeks will be part of your building program, treat them like your interviewing contractors.  Ask for references, ask about engineering, ask about technical support and then follow up, call references, call the engineer and judge how they answer your questions.  Make sure the services you contract for are spelled out.

[tburch]

Aaron (owner) participates on a large sawmill Facebook group some.  I've been to their website a few times.

[forgeblast]

Thank you both Ill have to do more searching and get my list of questions together. Thank you very much!

[samandothers]

Welcome Forgeblast!

With that name I'd expect you to also be a blacksmith!  Where abouts will you be teaching?

[Brian_Weekley]

Greg Pennington is a woodworker/chair maker who teaches classes in his beautiful timber frame workshop:
http://www.penningtonwindsorchairs.com/classes-1/

There's just something special about a timber frame!  Just in case you want to consider a traditional timber frame instead, check out his series of videos on the building of his shop:

Raising the Barn - Part 1 - YouTube

[Dave Shepard]

I saw those videos of the frame going up, but I hadn't seen the finished product. That's looks a great space to work in. 

[Brian_Weekley]

Dave, my interest in timber framing kind of started with Greg's videos.  I had sent Greg an email asking some questions about his barn and he recommended Jack Sobon's book.  After I looked up to see who Jack was, I eventually discovered his course and that's how it all started!

[forgeblast]

Brian thank you for sharing I love a timber frame.  My issue is I already spend a lot of time carving spoons, and turning on a spring pole lathe, that I do not know where I would find the time to learn timber framing. 
I love timber frames, I have a lot of books on them too, but I feel like I am kind of out of my league when it comes to them.  The post and beam seems to be the best (for my situation)compromise between aesthetics and function and price and DIY.
Its something I keep struggling with, I know what I want, is it what I need and can I afford it

[Brian_Weekley]

I understand.  I just thought if you were using a spring pole lathe and carving spoons you'd appreciate the joinery and it would fit right in there.  A 40x50 is a formidable challenge regardless of construction type.  The frame is the easy part--it's all the other stuff that takes so much time!

BTW, another member, John P. was originally looking at BarnGeeks, but ended up building a timber frame instead.  If you send him a PM, he might be able to give you some information you are looking for.

Post and beam kit - questions in Timber Framing/Log construction
Scaffolding/Ladder Jacks/Pump Jacks? in Timber Framing/Log construction

[forgeblast]

Thank you Ill reach out to him!
I truly appreciate timber framing and the skills that go along with it.  I have or utilize a lot of the tools and it was a thought at one time to try it. I still may but its a lot of knowledge that I would have to process.  Thank you I appreciate the help!!!

[forgeblast]

Welcome Forgeblast!

With that name I'd expect you to also be a blacksmith!  Where abouts will you be teaching?

I do forge a lot of my own tools, but when I moved I was not able to forge as much so I re-started carving.
I will be teaching classes in North East PA.  We live on 20 acres mostly wooded.