|
From a stack of milled oak from the Meon Valley, Hampshire, the base starts to take form. Mortice and tenon joints are cut
and over 120 draw pegs are carved by hand. |
|
A mortice and tenon joint cut and ready for assembly on the sole plate (base). |
|
The same joint pegged, drawing the joint tight and solid. |
|
The base of the building complete. The next stage is to hew the jowl posts ( the upright posts at the corners of the building... |
|
The jowl posts are hewn the traditional way, dating back to Saxon times, using the adze. Care must be taken in order to not
hew the ankle from the leg! |
|
The jowl posts are then morticed and tenoned into the sole plate. Holes are bored into the joints ( draw bore ) slightly closer
to the shoulder of the tenon. When the peg is driven through the mortice it has the effect of drawing the joint tight. |
|
At the top of the jowl posts, lap-dovetail joints are measured with precision and then cut. This is one of the most complicated
joints on the building and great attention to detail is necessary in order to maintain the overall square and rigidity of
the frame. The lap-dovetail secures the tie-beams and wall plates ( upper horizontal beams ) to the jowl posts. |
|
You can now see the all components and joints locked together forming the basic 'box' of the frame. This upper frame is erected
and taken down from now on each time a new member or joint is cut. Those beams are heavy, but this is going to be necessary
so the building can be taken down and re-assembled on site at the Wood Fair. The pegs are only lightly knocked in, in order
to undo the joints each time.
|
|
Side braces are hewn with the adze to gain a nice curve, then morticed and tenoned and pegged into the jowl posts / tie-beams / wall-plates. |
|
Braces are fitted to the rear section and upright stud work completes the main frame. Solid as a rock.
We are on target for the Wood Fair and the wood-pixies are happy.
We have used traditional methods during the construction which has given an insight not only into the craftsmanship of the
Saxon builder, but an appreciation of their design skills and hard labour! After the Wood Fair window frames will be added
and a door will fitted to the door-frame ( middle ). We have decided to eventually finish the building with traditional
'wattle and daub' panels to the front, and have the roof thatched. A wood-burning stove will be installed complete with 'spark
arrester' to ensure the building remains safe. |
|
