SIGN UP FOR OUR WORKSHOPS OR
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Timber Framing Workshop Fees
The total cost of the workshops is a $295 nonrefundable registration fee. In
addition, you will have your travel costs and food and lodging (more
information) while you are
here, plus the minimum tool requirement of chisel, mallet and measuring tape.
2008 Workshops are SOLD OUT.
Please check back soon for 2009 Dates & Registration Information.
Registration by Mail
To register by mail, print the registration form from the text or pdf file
below. and mail it with any applicable fees in US dollars to:
Goshen Timber Frames
37 Phillips Street
Franklin, NC 28734
We will send you a confirmation.
If you need us to send you a printed copy of the registration form in the mail,
please email or phone Cathy.
Online Registration
To register online, go to the Online Registration form below and complete the
form. You will then be redirected to PayPal to make your payment online. When
you arrive for your scheduled Workshop, you will sign the file copy of your
agreement.
Online Apprentice Registration Form
If you do not already have a PayPal account, you will have the oppor-tunity to
set one up after you have completed the form. After clicking the button on the
following page to "Make Payment", watch for the prompts on the PayPal page.
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Workshops in Basic Framing
Goshen
Timber Frames' workshops in timber framing are based on the guild concept of
learning a craft by working in it on a basic level. We teach the craft of
traditional joinery, using hand-chiseling and wooden pegs. You can expect to
learn how to do three things during the week: timber frame layout, cutting the
joinery with power tools and finishing them with hand-chiseling, and trial
assembly.
The Workshop starts Sunday at 1
p.m. and continues through the following Friday. We lay out, cut, and trial
assemble a frame, allowing students to participate in the entire process. The
workshop project is a 10 ‘ x 12’ timber frame, with the workshop participants
cutting and raising the frame so they can see how it all comes together after
the weeks work. The project is for sale at the end of the workshop. On Friday,
the frame is raised and later in the day there is a “graduation party”. The
participants receive a Certificate of Achievement, a Goshen T-shirt and group
photo. Come prepared for a busy and enjoyable week.
We do not cut any customer frames
during workshop weeks. When a frame owner wants to participate in the cutting of
their frame, arrangements can be made to make that happen.
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APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
 The apprenticeship
program is primarily for those who commit from one to three months. The longer
you stay, the more extensive the range of training you will receive, from layout
through cutting and trial assembly to timber frame raising and/or panel
installation.
Basically, the apprenticeships are less
structured than the workshops. The reason for this is the amount of time
available during workshops. The workshops are conducted in a small space of
time, strictly scheduled, and the information is covered rather quickly. The
apprenticeships offer more attention to detail and practice. In other words, an
apprentice has the opportunity to participate with the work "hands on" with
personal instruction and guidance from one of our experienced joiners.
Our method of timber framing is traditional
joinery with wooden pegs. We use some power tools, but finish off every joint
with hand-chiseling. Most of the tools we use in our shop are those that are
affordable to someone planning to build their own timber frame. We avoid using
too many specialized timber framing tools, because our students are not going to
have these tools when they return home. While we have a forklift in the shop,
anyone wanting to do timber framing needs to understand that it is hard work. It
is not just layout and fine chiseling; it also involves moving heavy timbers
around. We are careful to use safe procedures for moving timbers, and we are
more than willing to make allowances for someone who cannot be involved in that
aspect of the work. (However, we would like to know this in advance.)
The people you will work with in
the shop are David Pickartz, Joel Scott, Don Pierce, Justin Tarbell, Ford
Hall, Mark Lepetich, and Jeff Hays.
David runs the shop and the rest are talented joiners. They enjoy their work and
enjoy teaching the craft to others. Administrator Cathy Bryan will work with you
to schedule your apprenticeship and to help make your time with Goshen not only
productive, but enjoyable. Designer Mark Westhoven is available to answer any
questions you might have regarding design/engineering. Bonnie Pickartz, who
takes care of sales and customer service is in the office most days and is
pleased to help in any way she can.
Please bring the following tools
with you:
- 1½-inch timber framing
chisel, mallet, framing square
- 25' measuring tape
- carpenter's pencil and a
good eraser
- In addition, it would be
helpful (but not necessary) if you have calipers and/or a carpenter's
framing square.
- In the interest of safety,
we encourage you to bring a pair of eye guards. They are usually plastic and
are easily found in most hardware stores. You may also want to bring along a
pair of ear plugs.
If you like, you can purchase
your chisel and/or mallet from us when you get here. We carry the Barr Chisel,
which is the best and sells for $105. If you would like to purchase a mallet,
they sell for $25.
Our shop hours are Monday
through Thursday 7 am to 5 pm. We enjoy our three day weekends and hope that you
will take advantage of the time off to explore the area. Franklin is a beautiful
place, centrally located between Smoky Mountain National Park and Asheville,
North Carolina. There are many great hiking areas, spectacular falls, white
water rivers, craft shops and historic sites. If you are on the internet, you
can visit the Franklin Chamber of Commerce website for information about tourist attractions and other lodging options.
After the first month, we provide
a stipend of $300 per month to help apprentices cover living expenses. Lodging
is free for the entire period. You will be in two cabins that we own in the
beautiful Cowee Valley, about 20 minutes from town. One is the sleeping cabin,
with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Usually there will be no more than 4 apprentices,
and you'll sleep two to a room. The other cabin has the kitchen, dining and
living room areas, with computer, TV and VCR. The kitchen is fully stocked with
pots and pans and dishes. There is also a washing machine.
If you are interested in an
apprenticeship, you can email us at cathyb@goshenframes.com or call 828-524-8662. Please talk with us as early as possible, as we tend to
get filled up at least 3-6 months in advance. We are interested to know about
the kinds of experience you've had in the past and what your goals are for your
apprenticeship with Goshen. We hope to create a positive situation for all. |
