From summer 2019 to spring 2020 I was fortunate to apprentice with Kohei Yamamoto and Jon Stollenmeyer of Somakosha Woodworking in the countryside near Okayama, Japan. While also working alongside Jon Billing of Big Sand Woodworking, we raised traditionally timber framed structures, cut joinery, completed finish carpentry and absorbed an incredible amount of skill and knowledge. The experience supercharged my woodworking abilities and gave me the confidence and context to dedicate myself to the craft full time.

About the Building
This structure is designed to serve as both the home for a large bandsaw mill, but also as a workspace to inspire and elevate the craft. I believe that environments of work should be aesthetically pleasing so as to promote the best work for the customer and community. It feels fitting to involve my teacher in such an important and utilitarian building, as in many cases this building will allow for all future workshops and buildings. Furthermore, it is a perfect opportunity to involve all those new and interested in the craft so as to continue the thread of learning and teaching.

The structure will feature massive natural, interlocking beams many of which come from locally sourced 45 foot (13.7m) Eastern White Pine trees. We are very fortunate to have been able to hand select each tree with an eye toward where they would go in the final structure. The construction of the building will provide opportunities for hewing, joinery, planing, scribing, and one of the most rewarding experiences of them all: a whole team coming together to raise a structure over a day or tw

Guest Instructors: Kohei Yamamoto and Jon Billing

Topics Covered:

General design philosophy and layout of the Japanese timber frame structure

Review of terms and understanding of layout markings

Process for selecting, preparing, and shaping large timbers

Use of Japanese tools along with power tools to cut joinery

Team assembly and raising of the structure

Process of adjusting, squaring, and fixing the structural members.

Optional hand plane finishing certain parts of the frame

Optional installation of roofing system

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