Over the season of courses in 2025 we built and raised the frames of a barn here at my yard in Cambridge. the plan for 2026 is to roof it and build more frames to extend it. The barn will eventually be used as a teaching venue for a variety of crafts.
Roundwood timber framing is a low impact, ecologically sensitive and highly accesible method of building. Using timber in the round cuts out the energy intensive processes of sawing, drying and treating. We use sweet chestnut poles straight from the woods.
The first step is peeling with a drawknife.
No previous timber framing experience is necessary, but a familiarilty with basic hand tools such as saws and chisels and drills is useful. All tools will be provided. The work is physically demanding and requires quite a bit of clambering about.
The course focuses on cutting mortise and tenon joinery using hand tools and jigs which you can make yourself.
One of the more daunting elements of roundwood framing is cutting braces. We will hopefully demystify the process by showing you how to use the 'magic box'.
Fine adjustments with the slick.
We will be adding more frames to the barn. At just over 10 metres long, the wall plates of will need to be made from two lengths of timber scarfed together. Learning how to cu this sort of joinery on roundwood is especially satisfying.
5 day courses are £470
There will be no more than four participants per course, all tools will be provided as well as tea, coffee and snacks throughout. A pizza evening will be included on the final day. Camping on site can be arranged at no extra cost. The course runs from 9am to 5pm every day, although we may start earlier or finish later in the case of very hot weather.
Courses will cover the following:
timber selection, including alternative species to sweet chestnut.
timber frame design
tool sharpening
how to set up and use the framing bed.
how to cut mortise and tenon joinery on roundwood
how to use the magic brace cutting box
drawbore pegging
how to raise frames safely using the wooden crane
Dates for 2026
May 14th -18th
June 18th to 22nd
July 9th to 13th
If you would like to book a place on one of these courses, please send me an e mail to olly@ogmoses.com
There will be no more than four participants per course, all tools will be provided as well as tea, coffee and snacks throughout. A pizza evening will be included on the final day. Camping on site can be arranged at no extra cost. The course runs from 9am to 5pm every day, although we may start earlier or finish later in the case of very hot weather.
Courses will cover the following:
timber selection, including alternative species to sweet chestnut.
timber frame design
tool sharpening
how to set up and use the framing bed.
how to cut mortise and tenon joinery on roundwood
how to use the magic brace cutting box
drawbore pegging
how to raise frames safely using the wooden crane
Dates for 2026
May 14th -18th
June 18th to 22nd
July 9th to 13th
If you would like to book a place on one of these courses, please send me an e mail to olly@ogmoses.com