Derek, your last post is what this thread is all about. I am a die hard "Sobonite" as well. Many of the modern day timberframe revivalist are in my area. One of the first was Richard Babcock. Jack, Pual Martin, and others started working for Richard in the 70's, and have gone on to make a huge difference in timber framing today. I don't want to get into a huge Benson/Sobon debate, but Benson's work seldom reflects traditional joinery, too many weird angles, and superflous gimmicks to trick the eye. That isn't to say that what he does is not high quality work, just not my cup of tea. I took a workshop with Jack and Dave Carlon two weeks ago called Traditional Timber Framing. We use all hand tools and traditional techniques to build a small Dutch house frame. I never want to see another power tool again in my life. I have gotten a lot of flack for wanting to do traditional framing with traditional tools. I may have to start my own company to do it that way. To qoute a freind of mine who hates electric drills "All electric drills should be smelted down and made into vacuum cleaners!" I would go a step further and throw in the skill saws and all the other foolish gadgetry I see people using thinking it is going to save them time.
