I had read about Chinese buildings that were built in 800 AD and were still standing and in use today. That's what inspired me to look more into buildings that last. I wanted to build projects which would last well beyond by lifetime and my children's lifetime. Someday, I wanted to utter the words,"I built that way back in 19..." and to provide my clients with structures they'll pass down to their children and grandchildren as 'Landmarks'.
In pursuit of this, in 1982, I took a course in timber framing in Grass Valley, CA from a highly skilled teacher, Wil Wilkens. As a group, we built a small structure, using traditional tools. Upon leaving the school, I moved to Montana and became the forman for that teacher's timber frame company.
In 1986, I got married and moved back to Idaho where I combined my talent in cabinet making and timber framing to create lasting and quality pieces including timber framed homes, custom cabinetry and furniture.
In the past 10 years, timber framing has become my main passion. It's the idea of using the most basic hand tools to square timbers and to create a mortice and tenon joint - even an entire structure - without need for glue, nails or metal reinforcement.
The feeling of cutting a square hole and sliding a likewise square tenon into it; finished off with a hardwood peg to lock it all together is somehow thrilling and fulfilling for me as a craftsman.
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