Learn To Build Your Own Timber Frame!

With hands on experience, you'll acquire the skills you need to build your own timber frame!


Register now with Gibson Timber Frames for upcoming classes. 
(613) 372-5406
jgibson@kos.net

Timber frame raising
Click to enlarge

Traditional joinery
Click to enlarge

16x20 garden shed
Click to enlarge

Timber Framing Course Overview:
  • Participate in hands on training as you help construct a 16' x 20' timber frame garden shed.
  • Basic woodworking knowledge is beneficial but no experience is necessary.
  • The frame will be constructed out of 8"x 8" pine timbers.  This is the most common size used in modern timber frame construction.
  • The beams will come directly from the sawmill. Students will then layout, cut, and assemble sections of the frame.
  • The 16 x 20 frame built at the Wood Source will be sold with all profits going to charity.
Learn valuable skills such as:
  • Working from a set of drawings.
  • Traditional mortise and tenon joinery.
  • Layout and cutting procedures.
  • Proper use of hand and power tools (including safe operation and storage).
  • Practical and safe raising techniques.

About your instructor... Jason Gibson
Jason has been building timber frames for over seven years. He runs a timber framing company in rural Harrowsmith where all the frames are cut.

Jason has been running private timber framing courses for the past 4 years. He has also instructed timber framing at both St. Lawrence and Algonquin Colleges.

Jason runs a safe and fun workshop. Within the company, all of his employees are highly skilled craftspeople.

Photos from past timber frame courses!
Click here for more photos

Students must bring:

  • Safety boots
  • Safety Glasses
  • Min 16' Tape measure
  • 24" Framing square
  • Liability form (dowload here)

Host your own timber frame course - read how here

Photos from past courses

2008 Dates and Times

May 5th - 10th, 2008

Location:
Harrowsmith Ontario (near Kingston)

Cost: $650 CDN + GST
(Save $50 if registered 6 weeks early)

Lodging options:
Goldfinch Hill Bed & Breakfast
R.R. #1 Sydenham, Ontario
(613) 376-1027
www.bbcanada.com/goldfinchhill 

Korner Stone Kastle
Hwy 38, Verona, Ontario
(613)374-3434 

Desert Lake Resort
R.R. # 1
Hartington, ON  K0H 1W0
(613) 374-2196
1 (866) 421-2956
www.desertlakeresort.on.ca  

Barndens By the Bay
Bed & Breakfast – Lodge
56 Grant Lane
Verona, ON  K0H 2W0
(613) 374-2747
www.bbcanada.com/barndensbay


July 7th - 12th, 2008

Location:
The Wood Source,
Manotick Ontario (near Ottawa)

Cost: $650 CDN + GST
(Save $50 if registered 6 weeks early)

Lodging options:
www.adamsairportinn.com


Download the liability form here


 


Comments from previous timber frame courses

"Excellent course, Jason. You make an excellent teacher." - Mike T.

"I highly recommend the GTF timber framing course.  Jason is very knowledgeable about timber framing techniques and he works with course participants in a manner which is safe, practical, and FUN!  It was a great week of hands-on learning and skill building, and very satisfying to see how all the components came together with raising the completed timber frame on the last day of the course". Gregg N.

"I found that the course struck a good balance between the practical aspects of timber framing and the principals behind the craft. Given the scope of the course, it was great how Jason integrated the practical demonstration of sawing rough lumber on site. From a personal perspective Jason was a fabulous instructor and managed to effectively educate people from a diverse set of backgrounds." - Michael S.

"The course was excellent and the information provided on the steps necessary to build a timber frame home was invaluable. I have recently submitted my plans for an addition to a structural engineer for approval. Jason's practical experience and information was what I needed to take this step and plan building my own frames." - John B

"The course was fun and I sure learned a lot.  It brought together a great group of people with an incredible variety of skill sets.  Needless to say, with that many people all working on the various bits of the structure, you really wonder what the finished product would look like.  Jason made the process both fun and informative and true to his word, the final product went together just as he had told us it would and it looked great too!!! Truth be told, I would take the course again just for the fun and camaraderie." - Ron C.

"Jason is a natural-born teacher:  his candor with his students makes you feel immediately at ease and ready to learn, and his approach to course material, including the introduction of timber frame and timber frame-hybrid design, is driven by years of experience.  Inspiring: I haven't put down my chisels since." - Dave B.

"As an educator, part of my work involves evaluating teaching materials, strategies and course contents and I must say I was very impressed by the overall quality of the course. It had just the right balance of detailed explanations and hands on practice to provide an excellent introduction to timber framing basics, while still being challenging enough to hold the interest of more experienced participants. Jason's solid expertise delivered in a relaxed and humorous style set the tone for the great group dynamics that prevailed over that very enjoyable week." - Brian D.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the timber framing course.   He is an excellent instructor that made the whole process of raising a timber frame structure from scratch easy to understand.  He presented the course information in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and always had time to provide some one-on-one advice.   I especially appreciated the hands-on approach in the course since it allowed us to try the different tools of the trade, and see what timber framing is all about.  The skills and confidence I gained at the course prompted me to start my own project, a 12x16 timber frame shed.  I highly recommend this course for anyone that is interested in timber framing and wants to learn more about the process." - Ben W

"Gibson Timber Frames framing course gave me the confidence to build my own timber frame home.  Jason has an easygoing approach to teaching and I would recommend the course to anyone, both professional builder and homeowner, who is interested in the craft." - Joe I


© 2004