Big Beams Timber Frames

05/21/2026

Here are a number of photos from our 2026 High School Timber Frame class, culminating in the raising of our frame at The Vincent House on May 19, 2026. Please note that all photos have descriptive captions. They paint an incomplete picture of how our students have grown as craftsmen and craftswomen over the past 10 months.

05/20/2026

Link to the Time Lapse of our Student Frame Raising on May 19, 2026

Here is a Time Lapse of the High School Timber Frame Class Raising at the Vincent House in Wayland, NY May 19, 2026.

05/19/2026

Although I will post photos of today’s High School Student-cut Frame Raising in a little while, I thought I’d share this drone movie taken by Elizabeth Kreppel Fovel as it really captures the beauty and significant complexity of their work. Do Hard Things!

05/18/2026

Here is the link for tomorrow’s live stream of our student frame raising at The Vincent House in Wayland. The stream will go live around 8:00 am tomorrow and run throughout the day with a pause at lunch time. Spectators are welcome, but asked to park in the St Joseph’s Church parking lot. Bring a lawn chair and a hat.

We post educational Timber Framing videos and SketchUp Tutorials.

04/29/2026

Kids these days! Test fit of our student-cut high school project frame roof system in preparation to cut the overhang rafters. I think they will all pass the course. Today was a good day.

04/23/2026

Our High School students are making solid progress on our project frame. The frame features a unique irregular hip roof system with modified witch’s hat hipped overhang and a modified Celtic Cross focal point. The frame raising is scheduled for May 19th.
We also have openings in our Summer Adult TF classes. TF Boot Camp runs July 27-Aug 1 and Expanded TF class runs Aug 3-8 with frame raising scheduled for Aug 8. During the two weeks we will be cutting two different truss styles and incorporating modified English Tying Joints. Come learn with us!
Bigbeamstimberframes.com

01/30/2026

We are thrilled to announce our Summer 2026 Workshop Class Schedule. Over the span of two weeks we will cut and raise this 16’x18’ pond pavilion. The frame features both King Post Trusses and a center Sling Brace Truss. We will also be cutting multiple English Tying Joints (with cogs rather than dovetails). The design features a Clasped Purlin over Principle Rafter with Common Rafter roof system. As always, free on-site primitive camping is available. The first week (Boot Camp Class) will be introductory level with no prior experience necessary and the second week (Expanded Timber Framing) will build on the fundamentals and will focus on Truss design and cutting.
Timber Frame Boot Camp: July 27-Aug 1
Expanded Timber Framing: Aug 3-8
Thorough Descriptions and Information can be found at
Bigbeamstimberframes.com

10/18/2025

Our latest mini-raising was this TF Lean-to shelter for the Maple Hill State Forest at Campsite 3 near Elmira, NY. This is the 7th one we’ve done in NY and each one has been a little different. We worked with an outstanding crew from the D.E.C. in what has become a perfect pairing of like-minded people with remarkably similar interests and senses of humor. We are already looking forward to our next collaboration.

09/23/2025

Our shop is situated to mark the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox with a glowing orb through our oval window cast onto the center of our sliding shop doors. Yesterday was cloudy so we didn’t get the anticipated centering event, but today’s sunset did not disappoint. Had it been clear yesterday, the orb would have been nearly dead center on the doors. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

08/16/2025

In the span of a fortnight, a crew of strangers coalesced into a cohesive TF juggernaut to cut and raise this spectacular custom home frame. Along the way, we discussed in depth, forces in a frame, Sacred Geometry, TF design, safety practices in the shop and in the field, chisel skills, layout, precision work, and how to enjoy our spectacular property and the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. This project was considerably more ambitious than we typically tackle in our 2-week course, but this crew worked very hard and genuinely enjoyed each other’s company. I am remarkably appreciative of their hard work and dedication to get this frame across the finish line. They have so much to be proud of.