Aug
16
2013

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Grindbygg Timber Framing Course: Day Five Evening

by Tara

It's the last day, and everyone is working like mad to ensure we'll be ready to raise the first bent (or grind, if you're Norwegian)…

Tara & Deanne Marking Grindbygg Knee Brace for Scribing Tyler Chainsawing Grindbygg Knee Brace Joint Preparing Grindbygg Knee Brace for Scribing Peter Adzing Grindbygg Tie Beam Neck Peter Adzing Grindbygg Tie Beam Neck Kit Draw Kniving Grindbygg Peg Arturo Chiseling Grindbygg Tie Beam Neck Deanne Draw Kniving Grindbygg Knee Brace Trent Chiseling Bruce Chiseling

Once that task is successfully completed, we drill peg-holes and hammer in the first of our hand-made pegs. Almost everyone takes a shot at driving them home with a gigantic mallet Peter carved for us.

Fitting Grindbygg Post to Tie Beam DSC_5472 Arturo Drilling Grindbygg Peg Hole Trent Hammering Grindbygg Peg Deanne Pounding In Grindbygg Peg

Rick arrives around 5PM, and we're ready to go. It's nerve-wracking to watch the enormous timbers head skyward, and then get lowered slowly into place. When at last they settle successfully onto the ground, I heave a sigh of relief, and we all erupt into cheers!

Peter Attaching House-Lifting Straps to Grindbygg Bent Excavator Raising Grindbygg Bent Grindbygg Bent Raising Tyler & Peter Lining Up Post Holes

When the sawdust settles and I step back to gaze at our newly raised grind, looking huge and chunky and amazing, I am awash with awe and emotion and clarity. So this is what we've been building! I think, suddenly fully understanding what we've been working at for the past three and a half months. This incredible three-dimensional arch is the fruit of so many different labors!

I'm moved by its beauty, and by the fact that this is the first part of the first structure of my entire life that is fully and truly mine (well mine and Tyler's). Everyone is gawking at their handiwork right along with me, broad smiles on their faces. It's HUGE! So much bigger than we imagined. The giant bent, standing alone, looks like the entrance to a Flinstones-meets-Vikings-meets-Boyscouts Camp!

After the excitement has settled, Amy takes group photos for us, and then Tyler and I announce that we're treating everyone to supper at our local fast-food joint, the Dairy Barn. We pile into cars, Tyler and I leading the way, and head five minutes into Arlington to celebrate with burgers and ice cream. As we're driving out, we stop at the entrance to the worksite, just to marvel at our progress.

We're this excited about ONE grind. Imagine how it will feel when we get the rest of them up! Kit
Going Slowly Grindbygg Timberframing Class 2013 Group Photo

Tomorrow begins the first "extra" day of our workshop. Rachel and Adnan have to head home to Texas, but everyone else is staying until at least noon. Thank heavens! Now that we've all gotten the hang of this grindbygging business, maybe we'll get the last three bents up tomorrow?

Workshop Camp Kitchen & Trailer by Moonlight
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6 comments

YAY!!!! It's a gorgeous grind! I knew you could do it!!!
Posted by Nancy Kane on September 8th, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Absolutely Amazing!!! Love watching your progress!
Posted by Kara Cz. on September 8th, 2013 at 3:08 PM
It must have been such a great week to work with all these like-minded people and finally see some kind of a result from all your hard work.
We really wish to be able to, one day, be part of another special project and have another chance to give you back for all the work you put to keep us, the readers, up to date with this great GS blog.
Keep the good mood, there are many of us pushing with you two !!
Andrée :-) & David ;-)
Posted by David B. on September 8th, 2013 at 7:25 PM
Great work guys. I am nearly 200 behind on my blog reading but had to break my rule and skip ahead to see how you did. Congrats
Posted by Cathy on September 9th, 2013 at 1:04 AM
Congratulations you two, and to the rest of the group too! It looks like a rather large pile of logs in early days of the course, but once it's up, it really gives you a sense of the scale of the building, eh? Can't wait to see the remaining grinds!
Posted by SavvyChristine on September 9th, 2013 at 9:46 AM
Amazing!! I got a chill, goosebumps even and I don't even know you!! I am so excited for you!
Posted by Jenn B on September 10th, 2013 at 8:15 AM