Timber Framing 6 - More Test Fitting

So there is actually quite a bit of test fitting to be done before the whole structure can come together.  A joint which contains a knee brace has 4 fittings to be done.  The connection below is of a principal post and a connecting girt and their knee brace.  

These three joints require four fittings. 

- The knee brace with the principal post. 

- The knee brace with the connecting girt.   

- The connecting girt to the principal post.  

- Lastly, the knee brace with the principal post with the connecting girt.  

While this may sound a bit tedious, it is necessary so that small problems can be located at each individual connection and there is less of a chance for a large unknown error to show up later.

Of course there are a total of 54 joints in the structure, and with all the testing it takes days of to peice the project together. 

My joint from above, drilled and ready for pegging upon assembly.  

A tight fitting joint with a 3-4-5 closing under 1/32"

We work together to bring the components together.  The pieces are large and it takes a couple people maneuver them.  That being said I did get quite a bit of personal satisfaction when this joint came together.  I built the components (principal post, connecting girt, and knee brace) that are joined together here, so when it came together with ease on the first attempt I was pretty happy.

Jamie dancing upon a tight fitting joint. 

Richard persuading a joint to come together. 

Test fitting a set of rafters with their purlins. 

We cleared out the sawhorses and components under construction to make room for the assembly of the first bent.  We are building a set of sub-assemblies which will be joined together.  The anchor beam with two knee braces and the hammer posts are one assembly and the principal post with hammer girt and knee brace on each side are additional sub assemblies.  These three sub assemblies are then connected and the rafters are joined on to complete the bent.

Most of the components from bent 1 laid out for fitting. 

The three sub-assemblies are brought together into one assembly.  The rafters are then joined onto the assembly, which pulls any slight misalignment into place.  The use of center lines creates a series of way points at each of the joints.  These way points can be measured and referenced against each other to ensure triangulation and that the frame is true. 

Bent #1 completely assembled. 

Pretty Satisfying to see it come together.