Hi guys I'm in the researching phase of home design/engineering/planning and would like to hear of any good timberframing basic workshops in eastern ontario where a beginner like myself can learn the fundamentals of timber selection, joinery, tools and bent raising for example. I'd like to eventually raise a 20x30 timberframe, because I am brave! The floor frame will likely be 2x8 joists above 3 beams below that brace into 8x8" posts bracketed to concrete piers 48" or so below grade to a footing. I've heard that transferring the point loads to the posts below requires good blocking in the joists? But I'm not sure what method is used for joist framing below a timberframe and I can't seem to find any pictures to show it.

Where are you located?

Welcome aboard donnieboy.
Mark at Whippletree Timberframing near Peterborough is having a workshop in Nov, check out the schedule @

http://www.wpltree.ca/workshopindex.htm

As a past attendee, I can say that his workshops are a MUST for anyone thinking of learning the craft. A truly lifechanging experience!