Learning To Timber Frame Made Easy Part 4: The Brace Mortise

[@jppendleton]

Legend has it Jim is still wrestling that piece of dry pine into submission somewhere. Thanks for the really informative and detailed series for a beginner like me. I was definitely intimidated by braces and their layout and measurement. Appreciate the hard work done here. v/r

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

This comment is going to the top!

[@wildtwindad]

Timber work was what made me truly appreciate the layout man. I would get frustrated that it was taking "forever" to get something done. Then voila! It took me screwing up on my own time to get it. Now I am the guy that stops/looks/assesses before picking up a tool. Quintessential skill you cannot learn in school.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I agree all the way, layout is king.

[@gregwarner3753]

Make a drill guide block by drilling the same size hole in about a 3 in thick wood block using a drill press. Then cut away the hole sides leaving a part of the hole as a guide. Clamp the guide block in place to steady the drill until it is started.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I made a guide out of 5/4 boards that I could put my foot against and it works quite well.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Sounds like you've done a fair amount of timber work.

[@gregwarner3753]

I did some timber work in Nam creating a temporary repair for a ship that had a fair sized hole blown into it by a mine. Fortunately that part of the ship was empty so nobody was hurt. Also did some building as a teen.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I figured you'd been around it a bit.

[@timhockersmith3934]

Rusty or not, you still know your timber framing and how to pass that knowledge on. Great video! Thanks.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you sir.

[@newdogatplay]

Jim is back on track,with content

[@QuiltyLady1]

Thanks for the awesome lessons you're teaching us. I absolutely love this show and am grateful that you know what you're doing and you're willing to share it.

[@ethanwhear7868]

Love it, timber framing is so much more elegant and beautiful than stick frames! Appreciate these tutorials.

[@mekaerwin7187]

Because it takes some technical skill and not just a nail gun going on full automatic.

[@KrugerrandFarms]

Good demo. it always helps to watch it done. I don't think you can get too much of this.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you for the tenon tool, it's going to get a workout. Nice design.

[@bruce1816]

Hey Jim, i hear ya on that dry pine !! Had some of that when we did the fort down in Rome !!! Ya tend to sharpen your chisels more and it helps but is still a pain in the butt to keep from tear out.

[@ericeller9750]

Can’t wait to see the design of the addition. Keep up the great work Jim

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It will be simple but nice

[@uiop545]

as always, atraight and to the point; many thanks jim for everything.

[@terryeason4319]

I'm glad your leg is healing enough that you can get around better. I hope your looking a building a timber frame house in the future.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

The next frame is a house addition bit I would really like to do a full house.

[@mikehegdahl5393]

Congrats on the new timber! As far as justdoing timber fram, some of us just miss seeing you do stuff! Grin.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Me too buddy, the regular job has been crazy this year.

[@mikehegdahl5393]

@@TheTradesmanChannel until youtube pays better we need the day jobs!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

You got that right.

[@grahamallen3941]

Hi Jim, great to see you again. Only said to the wife this morning, “wonder how Jim is doing.” Another great, informative video Jim. I know what you mean about very dry pine for working with. Great spring to look forward too. Jim, really looking forward to that. Take care and be safe, hope the family is well. All the best, Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧🌲🌲🌲

[@thomasarussellsr]

Yeah, only hope the removal of all of tbose needle bearing trees does not affect his friend's game patterns in too much of a negative way. Deer and elk like the cover of evergreen woodlands.

[@grahamallen3941]

Thomas Russell the removal of just a few trees at a time might just show if the total removal of the pine trees would cause a problem. If it did it could be stopped before it was too late.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

We're doing well Graham, just staying busy!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I won't even be making a dent in them, I don't believe in clear cutting stands. It will be selective cutting.

[@grahamallen3941]

TheTradesmanChannel that’s good to hear Jim. I didn’t think you would go in and cut everything in sight! Picking the better trees for your needs is always going to be the best way. Not cutting and hoping it will do!! Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧🌲🌲

[@neilaleksandrov2655]

Thanks, really great to see visually the entire process. Thank You!

[@TheVze23sqf]

Welcome back Jim. 👍👍👍

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hello Guy

[@A..n..d..y]

Love the vide series. I would like to see the other side done with the chain mortiser if you could.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

These might be a touch small for the machine but if you look in the timber frame vlog play list there is a ton of it.

[@TheLightningLou]

Wow, awesome news!

[@retiringrenegade9874]

Congrats Brother on the progress towards the new build! Happy for Ya landing that timber! Nothing I like better than reducing your input costs dramatically! Which is why I have been cutting hardwood all this past year for whatever yield I can manage! Enjoyed the content and tutelage as always! Have a great week, You and Yours be safe and well!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy! We need to talk again soon.

[@alexwilson9311]

I was suffering from timber frame withdrawals thanks for the fix Jim 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Me too Alex, Damn job!

[@johntosten4779]

Good morning Mr Jim, glad to see you back at it. One little trick I use when laying out reference marks that doesn't get cut I use dash's instead of a solid line and some times I even use red carpenter pencil. And remember to keep that salt shaker handy..lol have a great day!

[@thomasarussellsr]

What is the salt for?

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I should show it that way.

[@terryeason4319]

I watched you build your barn. From step one to where you had your last video of it. I'm real anxious to see your next fun and enjoy your tutorials here

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you. I am ready for another one.

[@Edgardocelectric007]

Great video so funny your videos have gotten so much better must be the new cameras

[@thomasarussellsr]

Much better showing the layout for sure. Couldn't really catch that the last time around.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

The new cameras and trying to change what I don't like about the old ones.

[@claytonhobbs1360]

Thanks man! Appreciate your knowledge and tutorial.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you, I hope it's good info for you

[@Edgardocelectric007]

Hi Jim if you have time can you show us doing the same with the chain mortiser

[@thomasarussellsr]

Hahaha! Yeah, I'd love to see him cut that 3/4 inch wide 45° mortice with that wood hog. That could be entertaining.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

These mortises are too small for the machine.

[@Ajwatters]

Another great informative video yet again Jim...Can't wait for the new series on the house addition. Keep safe 🙏

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Thank you AJ

[@reylaferriere1990]

Thanks for all your insights. You simplify the process into layman terms. Much appreciated!! I'm almost finished my first ever timberframe pavilion. Just need to assemble and prefit everything. Then pack it and strap it until the spring. Merry Christmas Jim. Thank you for all you do.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hello Rey, congrats! You'll do well with those pavilions.

[@reylaferriere1990]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Thanks Bud, Still lots of learning to go.

[@legendadlegendad]

Спасибо большое! Thank you very much!

[@NCSU4x4]

Another great video.

[@steveking4966]

nice to see you back jim, we work very differently! Most of my framing is in doug or oak, 6" square min prefer 8", main tenons and mortices 2" braces 1.5", all levelled and plumb scribed. We do that in 2 stages (1) assemble frame and draw dowel BUT we use metal pegs to check ass'y (got 20 1" metal pegs, then make sure the frame is level all ways then apply braces on top and plumb scribe the the brace mortices into the frame, that way we get everything right in 2D before it goes up in 3D , I do shoulder the main beams but the bracing seems like to much work to me. I reckon we are doing it bassically the same stregth wise but overall my way should be twice as fast and yes it is a combination of US and European framing techniques. The basis is the framing square being 1.5 on one arm and 2 inches on the other. That way i only need 4 chisels (1.5,2, 1.25corner and a slick. Nice to see you back on the ether ;0)

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy. The scribe is something I need to start learning more of, I've been square rule for everything up to this point.

[@steveking4966]

@@TheTradesmanChannel i will e mail you some shots of what i do who knows even avid! (i am not the most photogenic) ;0)

[@twagner6155]

I wondered if you made the housings after doing timber framing for a while? Also, hemlock is fragile, shrinks more and chips out some doesn't it?

[@thomasarussellsr]

Morning Rusty, er, I mean Jim. Glad to see you're healthy and befuddeled, er , I mean strong. Don't forget to write down the 3/4 inch framing chisel on your winter to-do list. I know you're getting older and things tend to slip our memory as we age. As milling is part of the timber-framing, I am hoping you'll take us out to the woods with you and your Delmar and mill. I nice thick morticing chisel at closer to a 45° bevel would be nice for those brace mortices I would think. Good guide for the angle, and better scooping strength to remove the chips. Just a thought. See you next time you have the time to visit with us. Stay safe, and tell the family we're thinking of them.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

A mortise chisel would be perfect for small mortises like this one. Hope you're doing well bud.

[@starboardwingwoodworks5235]

Welcome back. Some clarification please. You say layout 23 1/2" .I thought the 3/8"set back in laying out the brace was to compensate for the 1/2" housing. Confused . SWWW

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

So on the 45* angle of the brace the 3/8" line accounts for the housing. The 23-1/2" layout accounts for the housing in the post and beam.

[@GeorgeJirout]

Always appreciated Jim!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Good evening George

[@yraggrebdnul]

So Jim, have you tried wood owl bits?

[@David-fv7zg]

This is a year old now, any plans to add to this series? Thanks again for doing this.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I will be adding to it. I've put out about 300 timber framing videos with a lot of tutorial but I'm going to get into deeper on the next timber frame I'm gearing up for.

[@techronmattic5876]

I know what you mean about getting out of practice with filming, im always out of practice lol

[@TokyoCraftsman]

Moring Jim. I've been real busy, I've not been around. Looks like you have been real busy too, and I have some catching up to do. Cheers! Stu

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Howdy Stu!

[@GreatPlainsCraftsman]

WHY DON'T I HAVE A BIG AL! Nice job buddy

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hello Tim...you gotta get one...

[@Grunt49]

Always good info.

[@totherarf]

Was getting ready to check YT hadn't disabled my notification ;0)

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

It's been crazy this year.

[@totherarf]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Tell me! Everyone is masked up and scared ...... and I get to go close and personal with 5 or 6 families a day! Only been asked to mask up twice ;0)

[@kurtdietrich5421]

"More than once, I cut on the wrong side of the line". Never were truer words spoken. I did that twice. The lesson learned..... Measure three times, look at it 4 times, mark the side of the cut, and make sure you're correct.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Yup, truth... mark the side to be cut. I have to or I am more and more likely to cut the wrong side as I get older. Too much on my mind, or my mind is slipping, not sure which, or maybe it's a combination.

[@lawrencewillard6370]

Getting on myself, hah!, actually fully there, I think?.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

So true, it sucks to mess one up.

[@timberdoodles4647]

Watch out for ring shake on the hemlock. Some is sound and others are shaky, I can only surmise it due to soil types, we have junky hemlock around here, hope its decent stuff. Work it as green as you can.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hey buddy. This is young stuff in thick stands and not of ridges. Hopefully it'll be good stuff. I'm not a big fan but you know how it goes.

[@timberdoodles4647]

@@TheTradesmanChannel Oh yeah Go get it!

[@reylaferriere1990]

Hey Jim, if you are cutting a 1/2" frame wouldn't you have to drill deeper depth to allow for the extra 1/2" ???

[@joseortiz5965]

Awesome

[@e.r.1492]

Out of curiosity. Have you ever done your measurements in MM instead of in inches? I guess it depends on how one learns, but is it practical with this?

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I never have but I was raised with the imperial system. I hear that the metric system is easy but I do what I'm used to.

[@CrimeVid]

You know Jim, as I get older I find stuff more difficult to see, particularly tape measure gradations. So how the [apply unsuitable expletive ] can you read that tape !!? Nice demonstration, does not matter that it’s wobbly, as timber dries and twists it tightens up nicely !

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I don't even know how I can read it!

[@bryanmoir]

Hi Jim... when you measured the 23.5 inches for the brace mortise is the measurment to the back, middle or front of the mortise?

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Send me a private message on Instagram and I'll give you my number. Be easier to explain that way.

[@bryanmoir]

Hi Jim, If you are cutting a 1-1/2 inch mortise, you mentioned you use a bit slightly less... So do you use a 1-3/8ths? Or if you have a 1-1/2 are you better to use that? Can you give a link to the set you bought on Amazon or one you would recommend. I just got my father-In-Law's old brace and want to give it a go for the mortise and the peg holes.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I'd go with the 1-1/2". Look into the Wood Owl website, they make excellent bits for what you want to do.

[@charlesvickers4804]

Maybe try using color pencils ,may make more visible for demonstration.

[@gregwarner3753]

When instructing give the wood parts a thin coat of white paint so the pencil lines show up.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Good idea. I did about 300 timber framing videos on this channel, and with the early camera equipment I was using it didn't show very well.

[@gregwarner3753]

Excellent lessons.

[@retiringrenegade9874]

Jim, would that measurement from the bottom of the beam actually start from the reference face and aris? Then adding the beam top to housing bottom dimension would allow You to precut everything regardless of the overall thickness of the beam? Just want to clarify my understanding Brother!

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Yes

[@retiringrenegade9874]

@@TheTradesmanChannel See an old fkr can and does pay attention!

[@retiringrenegade9874]

Wahoo, I'm not too old to learn!

[@newdogatplay]

Everyone thinks im weard for talking in my truck to myself to jim but honestly ive just not found anyone id wrather talk to then myself,lol i always seem to get the point across without any major feedback

[@thomasarussellsr]

Hey, no-one understands me like I do. I find my most intelligent conversations are with myself.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Same here!

[@Ajwatters]

20:54 I'm am so childish 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@ssx2channel977]

The price is right for those trees.

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

Hello Don

[@ssx2channel977]

TheTradesmanChannel evening Jim I am glad you are busy at work and I miss you videos and dry pine is hard to work with

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I miss doing daily uploads, you guys are a part of my life now.

[@exroyalcanadian]

Two hours north? That's where I live lol

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I've been working in Massena, long haul up the river from my house.

[@jasminebebe3455]

I am lazy... I would start these out with a router.

[@tacticalrabbit308]

Wait till you try carving 20 year old dry walnut wood , I'm trying to carve out pistol grips from it

[@thomasarussellsr]

Stick it in a steam sauna for a week first, maybe? Just a thought. Or, soak it in mineral oil, in a vacuum chamber, till it stops bubbling?

[@dakotareid1566]

That brace doesn’t look very straight keeps wobbling everywhere

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

That's what they do until you put the frame members together, the bearing surfaces are on the ends. They work in compression.

[@mikehegdahl5393]

It drills just fine, your just power tool spoiled! Lol. Just kidding bud

[@TheTradesmanChannel]

I am power tool spoiled, very spoiled!