Timber Framing 7 - More Scantlings

After the full fitting of the entire bent there are a few things that still need to be done.  

While the come alongs are still in place and keeping alignment perfect we go around to all the joints and drill the pegging holes.  The knee braces all receive three holes 3/4", and the rest of the joints receive one or two 1" holes.  

Knee brace with 3/4" holes drilled for pegging.

Hammer Post and Rafter joint with 1" holes. 

Additionally, the edges of the timbers receive chamfers, the through tenons all get an end treatment, the ends of the hammer posts get a pendant carved onto them, and in our case, the principal posts needed to be shortened to match one which was cut too short by mistake. 

Jamie routing a chamfer profile onto a hammer girt.

The curves on the knee braces are drawn out using a quarter point technique.  Quarter point allows for scribing a perfect arc without the need for a large trammel so it works great in this situation where the knee brace arc has a large radius.  A chainsaw is used to rough out the curve to about a quarter inch from the scribed line.  Then, a curved base planner makes short work of shaving down to the line. 

Roughing out the curve with a chainsaw.

When all the odds and ends have been taken care and the timbers are ready to go the end grain is coated with end seal to help preserve it.  This is particularly important when working with green wood as it will help slow the seasoning process and thus reduce checking and other deformation.  Once threated with end seal the components are stacked up and will wait for pickup.  

Ends are sealed and the timbers are ready to go.