Thanks Ken. That's good to hear. I think our trees are in that age range. While curing the trees in the woods after cutting, should the bark be peeled off?

Brad, no, I am fixed on post and beam. Did I say something to give a different impression?

When you start talking about gunstock posts, and curves, and wiggles, it makes me think of conventional TF. Not sure I've seen gunstocks in a post and beam so a little hard to picture. The curves and wiggles make me think of scribing.

Me too, Brad. Post are flared to accommodate joinery. Wiggles will complicate metal brackets.

Tim

Hey counselorpaul, it sounds wonderful what you are doing. Go after you dreams! I just recently moved into my own traditional timber frame/strawbale home after almost 4 year of hard work. Man does it feel good to live in a home that I built with my own two hands. The road ahead will be hard and bumpy, but stick with it! You can do it! Best of luck with everything :-)

Tim

ah Gotcha. Yes, wiggles might make more sense in post and beam with round posts. Gunstocks squared off might be more aesthetic if the beam is wider than the non-flared part of the post. It would make for a better connection for the brackets as well. Thanks.