Beyond Mitered Joinery - Two New Notches for Log Trusses and ...

Beyond Mitered Joinery - Two New Notches for Log Trusses and Log Post & Beam
Instructor: Robert W. Chambers
April 4th, 8-5
In this full-day workshop we will explore two new ideas for natural log joinery. One joint is based on “mitered”
joinery, and the other joint I have not seen before. The new joints could be used for log post-and-beam and
for log trusses. We may find some other applications, too. We will explore as we go.
We will also explore a new way to layout a truss, and mark the joints. The new method saves time and uses
very little equipment. No lofting deck is needed.
We’ll start in the classroom, and then go outside for hands-on work with logs, scribers, and lasers. We will
cut a few joints, too.
Top left: mitered joint
Above: scribed joint and mitered
joint
Left: lasers and plumb bob to
mark joints
You Should Bring:
Safety gear (eyes and ears)
Razor knife, or chisel and mallet
12” straightedge and/or 12” flexy ruler
4-1/2” or 5” grinder/sander & discs
Not Required, but Useful:
Electric chainsaw
Circular saw
Plumb bob
Mallet & heavy 1-1/2” framing chisel
Slick or curved scarf slick
Drawknife

ILBA 2013 PRE-CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
April 4th 2013
Prescott Resort and Conference Center
1500 State Route 69 -- Prescott, AZ 86301
YOUR NAME: ________________________________________________________________________
COMPANY : ______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE / CELL NUMBER: ________________________________
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Beyond Mitered Joinery - Two New Notches for Log Trusses and Log Post & Beam
By Robert W. Chambers
In this full-day workshop we will explore two new ideas for natural log joinery. One joint is based on “mitered” joinery, and the
other joint I have not seen before. The new joints could be used for log post-and-beam and for log trusses. We may find some
other applications, too. We will explore as we go.
We’ll start in the classroom, and then go outside for hands-on work with logs, scribers, and lasers. We will cut a few joints, too.
New Joint One
I have been using “mitered” log joinery for years, after first learning it from Ed Shure (he calls it “treen” joinery -- meaning “it
looks like a tree”). The Mitered Truss chapter of my book teaches Ed’s method—which involves drawing a full-size truss on a
deck floor, and then lofting those lines up onto logs. Each log is placed one at a time into position over its lines, where the edges
of its joints are then marked.
Mitered joinery, as we’ve used it up until now, draws straight lines that only approximately match what a scribed, curved, fit
would look like. Our new mitered lines will much more closely match the shape of a scribed line. There is a very cool trick that
makes this work. The result: better looking fits.
I’ve often taught log builders how to build mitered log trusses, and they have told me they have three problems:
• They don’t have a large, level, smooth, strong, flat deck to loft the logs;
• Mitered joints don’t always look good—for example, the rafter-tail to tie-beam joint often needs a lot of drawknife
work to make the edges of the joinery match each other;
• It’s a bit slow because drawing the lofting lines on the deck is a little fussy, and the logs can only be marked (lofted)
one at a time.
My method helps solve all three issues. My new method does not need a layout deck, and it does not use a full-size drawing of
the truss. We will not be lofting. And our joints will not need as much ‘cleaning up‘ — they will fit better first time.
We will: snap log centerlines, physically stack logs on top of each other, use a scriber to mark where the log surfaces intersect,
and then use a laser-line projector to draw the joint cut-lines. If all goes well, we’ll mark all the logs in just one stacked set-up (a
big savings in time), and then spread the logs out to cut the joints.
New Joint Two
This joint looks exactly like a scribed joint. But inside the joint, instead of one log being coped, there are big surfaces on both
logs. The benefits this has over scribed-and-coped log joinery: this joint will stay tighter over time as the logs shrink. And there
are big strong surfaces hidden inside that the engineers will like. Plus it should be easy to cut. Templates supplied; you'll need
your regular log building hand tools, chainsaw, layout tools and safety equipment.
Workshop Fees (Payable to “ILBA”) $ 190.00
Coffee breaks and a boxed lunch are included with this workshop
You should arrange your own lodging directly with the Prescott Resort. Phone 1-800-967-4637 and ask for the
International Log Builder Association room block, or the group booking code #G4563.
Registration deadline is March 6th 2013. A deposit or credit card number will hold your reservation.
Return this registration form to Ann Miks, PO Box 775, Lumby, BC V0E 2G0
Email: ann@logassociation.org Fax: 250-547-8775 or Phone: 250-547-8776 with any questions.
Credit Card: Visa ______ MasterCard_______ AMEX _______
Card number____________________________________________ ____________ Expiry Date