Let's see. You posted at noon yesterday, a saturday, and then at 5am this morning you get frustrated and leave. So you basically gave us half a saturday (during march madness, no less) to reply to your post. This board is not ARWW -- it averages maybe 4-5 posts a day. Lots of newbies get lots of expert advice here, from knowlegeable folks who are generous with their time. Settle down, and try again (without the attidtude). We are a freindly bunch if given a chance. CB.

Welcome woodbutcher!
I am a new member of this forum and have been helped (most times) with my posts. I have a woodlot and woodmizer mill and have joined the TFG as a member to learn and experience timberframing. Gotta a long way to go. However if your experience here is not what you want there is another forum which helps newbies like me and this post shows a list of tools, prepared by Jim(who is a great contributor on this forum also).
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,6403.0.html
I hope this helps
Cheers
alpmeadow

Welcome

i do think you jumped the gun a little. The 36 views may not have even been registered members!! Anyway some say all you need is a mallet and a chisel. Others like to move things along at a more reasonable pace and for that.... Chain mortiser and a larger circular saw are important.. other than that you probably have the rest of the tools nessicary.... framing square, exacto knife.

My favorite book is "A Timber Framer's Workbook" by Steve Chappell

Use the search tool on the forum and you will find a ton of info!!

good luck,
Carlos

Hi there woodbutcher, if you're still there that is...
a good tool on the forums is the search engines we have. One is at the top of this page. try searching tools, books or whatever you're interested in, you may find some answers there, as there are many old posts to read through. General questions on books and tools often come up, so everybody doesn't jump in to answer one more....
Another search engine is located here.

I am not sure where to start.

I just picked up the guilds green book Timber Frame Joinery and Design volume 2. I particularly liked Sobons tips on short cuts and the bit on sap wood. That is a book. And here is a tool. Stanley's Sharp saw, I call it a shark saw because of the picture on the cover. I will even add a tip too, find one with 8 or 9 TPI. I am not sure why the stores stock the fine ones, I am always grumbling over that. Or a even better saw is the Docking saw, they can't be found new, you need to keep your eyes open as they are elusive but well worth it. Once you have found that saw learn how to sharpen it yourself, don't risk sending it out, and you will learn more by doing it yourself. Where did the green letters come from? Tim

You live in the neck of the woods where there are a ton of timber frame companies. You will learn a ton if you sign up for a week-long introductory class. They're going to tell you to bring a 1.5 barr chisel, a mallet, squares, maybe calipers, and pencils. Then after you come home, you'll probably want a 2" chisel, a nice hand saw, and a couple of good planes. You can do a lot of this work without power tools, for example you can use a boring machine to cut the mortices. However, most starting out today buy circular saws, sanders, big drills, planers, etc. Then you'll need straps and rigging to raise your frames. And it's more than just tools. If you are selling these frames to put up most places, your timbers have to be stamped by a grader, and you'll need an engineer stamp for your plans. Sobon and Benson books are where most people start these days. Do an Amazon search. They aren't hard to find.

I don't check the boards much on Friday and Saturday due to the low activity. Every body is either getting ready for the wekeend or out doing work already and too tired to check the board on Sat night typically. Makes sense. All I can say is - Wow! I guess he's gone already, so I don't have to welcome him or address his question. Someone with so little patience probably doesn't have the patience for timberframing, eh?