Does anyone know of a source?
As mentioned is a good start.
How long could I let it sit stacked in my barn or outsde covered and not have to worry about wood shrinkage (White Pine)?
White pine drys quickly through the ends of the timbers. So, once you've cut the joints on the ends, I'd suggest coating them with an end sealer, which is a wax based paint. Don't use regular paint it won't do anything for you. Get some end sealer known as "Anchorseal" and it will do the job nicely.
It is produced by UCCoatings. I'm sure you can find the site with a simple Internet search.
After a joint is completed paint the sealer on the end grain surfaces. This will force the timber to dry through the side surfaces which will make it dry slower, thus reducing end checking.
Stacking your timbers inside will help them to dry slowly and this will also help prevent twisting and cracking.
Normally the wood would only dry maybe an inch a year in an unheated environment so it could take years to dry to the core.
Again proper stacking with supports every four feet under the timbers in each layer, or even two feet, will help keep your timbers straight before and after joinery. Also, after the last top layer is placed on the pile, put on another layer of something else to hold the top layer down so that it doesn't twist or bow on you. Also, keep each layer's blocking aligned over the support blocks on the ground. This is important to prevent uneven loads from bending timbers over time.
At my sawmill yard I construct timber and lumber drying frame bases like this:
And then each layer of timbers has it's blocking over the supports on the base layer.
Do you think I could sell the frame at cost so it is not sitting around?
Possibly.....it depends on how to market it and the needs of your area...
What would I expect to pay for a set of plans for my Cabin (appox 24 x 24, two story) if I had a timber frame architect or timber framer design it with a complete cut list and detailed drawings of the joinery?
That depends on the level of information you'll need on the plans. Some designers only do bent drawings and details. Some do individual stick drawings of each type of piece needed in the frame. The more drawings you need the more it will cost you...
I'd be happy to give you a quote on the drawings...
Jim Rogers
