I recently signed on for a gig as a timber frame reenactor in the early-mid 1800's. I have a good selection of old tools and I know how I cut a frame by hand, but I'd like to be as historically accurate as possible, both in tools and process. Does anyone know of any good historical resources for more info?

Here's the tool list I have so far. Anyone care to add, delete or comment on anything?
Layout tools:
-steel square
-mortise gauge
-scratch awl
-folding rule? tape measure? story pole?
Joinery tools:
-chisel
-corner chisel
-slick
-mallet
-handsaws (crosscut and rip)
-axe
-adze
-auger bit and T-handle(early 1800's) or beam drill(mid 1800's)
-brace and bit (peg holes)
-froe (and draw knife?) for pegs

Thanks,
Peter

My suggestion: Make your axe your friend, and have several.

This comes from an admitted bias towards the axe, but also from historical research. The axe was an important joinery tool once upon a time, and there were several different types of axes for these purposes. At the least, add an American pattern broadaxe to your list (or say you're from Pennsylvania and add a goosewing) and possibly add a light (say 2 to 2 1/2 pound) narrow bitted axe (similar in style to the gransfors Swedish forest axe) because this is a style more appropriate historically and practically for use in joinery. Certainly no need to go as far as me and own a dozen or so different axes!

Measuring device: Folding rule. The tape measure was invented after the Civil war and wasn't popular until the early 1900's.

A story stick is good too, it's really a more accurate way to transfer measurements.

And you need a chalk/ink line. If you want an accurate chalk line, buy some untreated cotton string and make a spool for it.

A marking knife is good too

Some hand planes can be useful for fitting joinery too, and for surfacing timbers in some cases

forgot one: plumb bob. make that several plumb bobs

Dividers for stepping off measurements.

Hi everyone tonight:

Well it has been a while since I have jumped into a good conversation but this sure sounds like fun

HMM--tools needed for your renactment

sounds like the list is coming together nicely

I would add an early type claw hammer--not a fancy head--

--probably 2 sizes of corner chisels one for smaller mortise work

--probably 2 sizes of mortising chisels (similar reason)

--a cant hook and a straight 4 foot pointed bar,

--a commander of some sort--nothing fancy

--a piece of hard blue chalk

--a wooden level of the right period

--the steel square should have only minimal markings

--some square cut nails of varying sizes

--atleast one pair of crude saw horses that will fit in with your reenactment period,

--you should really have at least 3 lengths of measuring poles probably a 6' an 8'and a 10'--used in combinations end to end you can cover the basic measurements of a simple 3 bay structure of the period and to check for square measurements

The Northern Hewer--have fun--wish I was there--