28'x50' Barn, broke ground this weekend

[jimdad07]

You doing some nice work. Your first timber build? If so, outstanding.

First one.  I've been lurking and reading you guys here and anything I could on it since 2011 learning whatever I can.  Finally couldn't take it any more and just had to do it.  I probably should have tried something smaller for a first project but I figured go big or go home.  Thanks for the encouragement.  I'm trying to get these tie beams out first as they are the hardest I have to do.  Over halfway there on them.

[jimdad07]

Jim Rogers saved the day again.  I read the brace layout thread he put up a long time ago and was lucky that his example is the same sizes I'm using for this barn.  Worked out perfect.  Thanks Jim.

[Jim_Rogers]

Jim Rogers saved the day again.  I read the brace layout thread he put up a long time ago and was lucky that his example is the same sizes I'm using for this barn.  Worked out perfect.  Thanks Jim.

You're welcome.

Jim Rogers

[jimdad07]

You ought to start charging by the hour.

[Jim_Rogers]

You ought to start charging by the hour.

Donate to the forum for my services. Without them we'd be no where.

Jim Rogers

[jimdad07]

Couple more pictures for you guys.  The first one is using the chain mortiser to cut joist pockets.  Did I say how much I love this thing?  The second pic is my first set of braces fitted into the tie beam.  Again, the chain mortiser is the greatest tool ever invented.  You can see my first major goof, I layed out my brace mortice to the wrong side of the line.  I should have called it a night long before I did that joint.  I had to move the brace to the other side of the tie beam.

[jimdad07]

Brace mortice and pocket

[jimdad07]

Here's a couple of shots of how I'm getting these big beams into my shop using a chain hoist and rollers.  Also using the chain hoist to get these on sawhorses.

[frwinks]

that's a handsome looking scarf!!  Similar set up to how I cut my frame, one stick at a time in a 25x20 basement.  Looks great, we need more pics ;D

[jimdad07]

that's a handsome looking scarf!!  Similar set up to how I cut my frame, one stick at a time in a 25x20 basement.  Looks great, we need more pics ;D

I'll start putting up more pics when I get into the posts.  Right now I have five of these big tie beams left to cut, figured they all look the same.  My wife wants me to build is a new bed so I'm sacrificing some wall plates to frame a bed.  Be a nice change from these big beams.

[brendonv]

Nice job. I chickened out on doing a big project for my first go. Now i want to build another  8)

[jimdad07]

Still going up here.  Have most of my braces cut and waxed.  Started making pegs out of ash this weekend.  Just waiting on mud season to go away so I can get more logs in my mill.  Think I'm going to try cutting tenons on the mill.  Going slow but I figured that winter was going to have that effect.

[jimdad07]

Question on how tight my pegs should go into the joints.  Right now I can push them into the peg hole a couple of inches but would have to pound them in after that.  I know they need to be snug but just curious as to how snug, I would hate to split tenons after all this work.

[sawmilllawyer]

Since I am just learning this stuff cannot help you out with the peg tightness. By the way what brand is that chain morticer?

[jimdad07]

Since I am just learning this stuff cannot help you out with the peg tightness. By the way what brand is that chain morticer?

It's a 7301 Makita, I had to buy some parts to make it work on these big beams as far as clamping goes.  It was worth every penny and then some.

[sawmilllawyer]

 8) Thanks foe the information. Best of everything with your build.

[tburch]

Can you explain "waxing"? 

[Jim_Rogers]

Can you explain "waxing"?

Coating all exposed end grain with a wax based paint sealer like Anchorseal.

Jim Rogers

[jimdad07]

Can you explain "waxing"?

I keep a coffee can of wax on the shop stove all winter long just for sealing end grain on wood I mill and now on my timbers.  I have also been coating the ends of my pegs by dunking them in the wax as a finish them off. 

[tburch]

OK, I'm familiar with Anchorseal and sealing log ends, but I wasn't aware that after cutting joinery, it was done again.  Makes sense though. 

Did the old timers do this too, maybe with beeswax? (Obviously not with Anchorseal...)

[jimdad07]

OK, I'm familiar with Anchorseal and sealing log ends, but I wasn't aware that after cutting joinery, it was done again.  Makes sense though. 

Did the old timers do this too, maybe with beeswax? (Obviously not with Anchorseal...)

I bet they did.  I know if I don't seal up the end grains quickly they start cracking, albeit very small, within a couple of days.

[ed in cny]

Been watching this build and am hoping for an update soon.

[jimdad07]

Been a very busy summer.  I've been in the hayfield when I'm not at my regular job.  I haven't been able to fire up the saw mill in quite a long time.  That being said, I have about three days of haying left and it's back to the barn.  Finally had my next load of logs dropped off and they are excellent.  This load will take care of all of my wall posts and hopefully my well plates.  Once those are done I'm going to stand the first floor.  I think I'm going to be on my own so I'm going to have to plan very carefully!

[plowboyswr]

 :P ;D

[jimdad07]

Sure is nice to be back on the mill.  10 more 10"x10"×18' posts and wall plates to cut and the first floor of this monstrosity will be going up.  All of my braces are cut, I have a bunch of pegs cut, two more tie beams to cut joinery in and I'll be in business.  I can't wait to see this thing start to go up.  I decided I'm going to stand a 1/2 bent at a time, should work out well with scarf joints in every bent.