Tillers International

is building a new Smithy on their fantastic new site outside of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Tillers does timber framing classes that last a week for those who really want to learn the craft. Once the weekend rolls around, Tillers opens participation up for volunteers who assist in the assembling and raising of the project that the class members have been making during the week. The project is sometimes a barn or other outbuilding, or like last year the resulting structure would be a vacation lake house due to be assembled in northern Michigan. Next are a few pictures of last year's raising.
This year, Tillers International has a huge new home on a farm near Kalamazoo. One of it's first projects is the construction of a timber frame to house it's new blacksmith shop. The timber framing class worked during the week to create frame components, and Saturday volunteer showed up to help. This time we got to help make components, as the raising is scheduled for later this spring.




Since it was cold and threatening to snow, most of the work was done in a large heated shop on the Tillers International farm. Many of the timber framing specific tools used were from Tillers, but some of the class participants and volunteers brought their own tools.

You don't have to be an experienced wood worker to participate or enjoy the day. Volunteers and instructors are always glad to help pass on experience to those who have not experienced this type of work before. Tillers raising day is a great chance to gain experience doing a type of work that very few would have the chance to do otherwise.

Not as much to see at the end of the day this year, but we made enough components to put together one bent as a design exercise. The two main posts and the braces are white oak and the rest of the structure is really moist pine. A little prodding and persuading put the bent together, so we could all see a nice result for all of our work that day.
If you've ever wanted to get an up close look at what building a timber frame is like, you owe it to yourself to try and attend a raising. If you live within driving distance of Kalamazoo Michigan, then you're really in luck. You'll meet some great people, see a teriffic operation like Tillers International and come away with a great woodworking experience. I should mention that Tillers also provides coffee and homemade donuts in the morning and a big lunch for everyone, so you won't run out of fuel while you're working. Check out Tillers' website for more information about thier programs and classes.
 
 

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