The Ultimate DIY Project: Building a Timber Frame Barn After A One Week Class

Ben took our Purely Post & Beam course and went on to build his timber frame barn. Through sweat, skill and patience he created a structure that will last hundreds of years for generations of his family.

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Ben Knable Photographer Credits: Kyrin Bingaman @ov3rlxrd

[TylerSydebotham]

Awesome job buddy! I want out last year and cut down a bunch of oaks and hand hewed to each log with an axe. Made a 16’x24’ log cabin. I’m building the fireplace for it now. rewarding. I’ll never look at a cabin and see it as “a little shack on the hill” ever again!

[timcisneros]

Ben, right on brother. I didn't take a class but started milling the Timbers and reading from books what I would need. As a Blacksmith I made all my Mortise chisels, drawknife and a couple of mallets. I've been in the trades all my life and always dreamed of building my own home. after renting for 40 years my wife and I bought a parcel of "raw" land in the mountains near Flagstaff Az. It was 3 years before I even started on the Timber Frame. I was digging dirt for those three years I.E. septic system, driveway, foundation etc.. It took me 18 months to do all the joinery in my shop. One Timber at a time. Yeah, you do get intimate with the Timbers! Every inch has had my hands on it multiple times. We raised our frame in Oct. 2020 (the height of the Pandemic) It's 750 miles from our current rental which makes it a whole lot harder. We now have the roof on and the walls with Tyvek. I bought a Woodland Mills sawmill last year so it is onsite. I haul Cants each time I go. I still have to do the plumbing, electrical, insulation windows and interior doors but we installed the wood fired cast iron stove last trip. It's a labor of love for sure. Good luck.

[Rover]

Great to see the little ones involved a bit, they just loved being around their dad

[Mark-idfq]

Very inspiring! I’m planning to build a timber frame garden pavilion, I think I can muster up my confidence to do it now.

[b.ellison]

Congratulations Ben! That's quite an accomplishment.

[x_xxx]

So cool, because even in the middle of construction, it has meaning of architecture at the timber frame. Your voice has wisdom and worth to listen staring. Thank you. That's really cool.

[cherylstark]

Now add to that starting with standing timber. Making your own posts and beams. That is the size of our house we just built staring 2 years ago. We are 60 and 68 years old, respectively . Well done!

[FITZIEBLUE]

super inspirational Ben. i'm having a timber frame built by Shelter, but i know that if my late husband was still alive, he'd be taking the course and doing it himself. Your video
somehow made me think of him; he was that type of hands on, goal oriented, back to basics, craftmanship type of guy. Thanks so much for sharing!

[mzimmerman]

Heck ya! Really happy for you! It is my hope to do this soon.

[jefflabrozzi]

Nice work in such a small space. Where there is a will there is a way. It is super satisfying building your own timberframe.

[ronlokaisingh]

Excellent job! Very satisfying to see you do this with your family for your family.
Congrats brother!

[kevin]

Ben, from one dad to another, you are a great dad.

[clwnthr]

Thanks for this one, great video, very much appreciated.

[CaseyWilsonDP]

Beautifully shot and edited, your video team is doing a great job.

[jeffvanderveen]

Right on . ❤ . That's a dream come true .

[tedfritsch]

Great job bud, sharing that with the kids too, will be a memory for them to last a lifetime. I will bet someday one of them will endeavor to build one of there own, and look to you for advice. Now take some time out and get on that bike!

[BlackDiamondHomesLLC]

Well done! So proud of you for your accomplishment.

[garrettscott]

Fan freaking tastic. Love this. You are living the dream, and i cant wait to do the same thing one day.

[bradwalker]

Would love to see more videos like this!!

[TheMonkdad]

I love this. Seeing your children running around reminds me of when I built my home. I only wish you showed your sharpening rig.