Posted By: Ken Heath
Dealing with sawyer? - 07/02/14 08:25 PM
Hi,
Recently, I finally had a time to start building timber frame and just finished two projects. I built a 10' x 10' pergola using yellow pine and a 12' X 12' picnic table shelter using oak. I do not own a sawmill so I ordered lumbers from a local sawyer. In the process, I find that they do not mill lumbers to the size I specifically asked for. To their benefit, I did not tell them it was for Timber Frame and I doubt they know what it is. Although it was challenging, I managed to finished fabricating both kits just fine.
Having gone through that, I was wondering what was any of your experience dealing with sawyer who probably know thing about Timber Frame? How did you get them to work with you so you can be sure you are getting lumbers that you expect to get for your project?
One of my mistake was dealing with sawyer for second project (more lumbers needed). Because they were hardwood and sawyer did not really care much for length if it was a little over (one 7x7x14 was given to me as 7x7x20) I had to make two separate trips to get whole load. I was keeping track of what inventory I had already picked up so when I returned to pick up second load, I told sawyer that one 4x6x8 was missing. He got a little upset and said I should have let him know ahead of time.. well how was I supposed to let him know ahead of time if he had another half in his yard and I assumed he probably already had it with the second half. So next time, I will probably bring two copies of inventory list and have him sign off on my copy if I have to make separate trip. At least it was a learning experience for me.
I'm not trying to start negative thread here.. but want to learn how to approach sawyer without making him/them feel offended. I realize that 2x4 construction method is more flexible while Timber Frame is almost unforgiving so how to deal with sawyer who know nothing about it so I can get what I am expecting the next time. For me, it seems more economic and less labor when you buy lumbers from full time sawyer than to be a sawyer and a Timber Framer.
Recently, I finally had a time to start building timber frame and just finished two projects. I built a 10' x 10' pergola using yellow pine and a 12' X 12' picnic table shelter using oak. I do not own a sawmill so I ordered lumbers from a local sawyer. In the process, I find that they do not mill lumbers to the size I specifically asked for. To their benefit, I did not tell them it was for Timber Frame and I doubt they know what it is. Although it was challenging, I managed to finished fabricating both kits just fine.
Having gone through that, I was wondering what was any of your experience dealing with sawyer who probably know thing about Timber Frame? How did you get them to work with you so you can be sure you are getting lumbers that you expect to get for your project?
One of my mistake was dealing with sawyer for second project (more lumbers needed). Because they were hardwood and sawyer did not really care much for length if it was a little over (one 7x7x14 was given to me as 7x7x20) I had to make two separate trips to get whole load. I was keeping track of what inventory I had already picked up so when I returned to pick up second load, I told sawyer that one 4x6x8 was missing. He got a little upset and said I should have let him know ahead of time.. well how was I supposed to let him know ahead of time if he had another half in his yard and I assumed he probably already had it with the second half. So next time, I will probably bring two copies of inventory list and have him sign off on my copy if I have to make separate trip. At least it was a learning experience for me.
I'm not trying to start negative thread here.. but want to learn how to approach sawyer without making him/them feel offended. I realize that 2x4 construction method is more flexible while Timber Frame is almost unforgiving so how to deal with sawyer who know nothing about it so I can get what I am expecting the next time. For me, it seems more economic and less labor when you buy lumbers from full time sawyer than to be a sawyer and a Timber Framer.