What I learned from speaking with Expert Timber framer and teacher James Thomson of Thomson Timber
- lloyd431
- May 6, 2023
- 4 min read
I host the "Wandsworth Construction Podcast" where I speak with interesting individuals in the carpentry and construction industry. Recently, I had a conversation with James Thompson of Thomson Timber in Fife, Scotland. James has a diverse background in engineering, technical illustration, and design. He also taught technical subjects in high schools and introduced timber framing to his students. These skills have been invaluable in establishing his own timber framing business, allowing him to efficiently fabricate and design while developing practical work methods. He has been running Timber Framing courses in Fife and Alaska for the past decade.
During James' course, I had the opportunity to chat with him. Here's what I discovered:
Timber framing history
In Fife, there were no timber framing companies when James decided to pursue the craft. Incongruous with neighbouring European countries like France and Germany, timber framing had become less common in Scotland over time. While mediaeval Europe heavily relied on timber framing, Scotland's usage declined. England, however, has more examples of timber framing, including tithe barns and structures dating back to the 1600s. The reasons behind this difference are not entirely clear, but it could be due to factors like Oak availability or historical conflicts with neighbouring nations where wooden buildings were vulnerable to destruction.
James' choice of industry in timber framing
As a technical teacher, James became interested in timber framing while seeking industries that still valued traditional craft skills. He discovered that high-end furniture and timber framing were two such industries. He explains the challenges of using traditional techniques like scribe rule, which require a large workshop and full-scale layouts. Instead, he developed a technique based on the American Mill Rule method, allowing him to work in a smaller space and fabricate components without immediate assembly.
Starting a timber framing business in an area without similar companies in the area.
I wanted to understand what motivated James to enter the timber framing industry in an area with no existing framework. He attributes it to his life experiences, especially his love for travel and willingness to take risks. He shares anecdotes about travelling in America without set itineraries, embracing uncertainty, and meeting new people. James believes that confidence in his abilities and a willingness to take risks enabled him to succeed in such situations.
Challenges of management
Although James has an engineering degree and worked as an engineer for several years, he eventually pursued a teaching career and earned a postgraduate degree in teaching. While he also pursued a postgraduate in management, he found it took him further from the aspects he truly enjoyed. James discovered satisfaction in hands-on work, such as car restoration and timber framing, realising that the journey and process were more captivating than merely owning the final product he had created. Thus, he chose self-employment in carpentry to actively engage in fulfilling work.
Go/no-go gauge
James discussed the use of templates and gauges in teaching and carpentry, which proved beneficial in the course. These tools allow students to check their work independently, saving time for individual instruction. He emphasised the importance of gauges in carpentry, particularly the "go/no-go" gauge. This gauge ensures accurate fitting of timber framing members without using the actual pieces, saving time and effort. James believes that using these tools promotes student independence and teaches valuable quality control skills.
Life as a business owner
James shared insights into his life as a business owner, which involves long hours and self-employment. Inspired by a hardworking farmer's son with a good lifestyle, James enjoys the freedom his job offers, allowing him to take time off for enjoyable activities like white water rafting.
Getting into timber framing
For those interested in timber framing, James recommends starting by watching videos and reading books. However, he emphasises the importance of training courses, preferably taught by carpenters with a passion for timber framing. While the speaker initially trained at Weald and Downland in southern England, they found that traditional hand-power methods taught there didn't suit their goals of making a living from timber framing in Scotland. Nevertheless, learning traditional techniques provides a comprehensive understanding of timber framing, which proves valuable even if power tools are unavailable.
Challenges with local sawmills and James' own sawmill
James discusses the challenges of working with timber frames sourced from commercial sawmills, where wood tolerances can vary significantly. This inconsistency can lead to errors, especially when creating long wall plates. To overcome these issues, James purchased his own sawmill. The use of the scribe rule in timber framing allows for greater tolerance flexibility. Visualizing the end product is also crucial in timber framing, as even skilled carpenters can make mistakes if they can't envision the final result.
Future discussions with James
The plan is to return for the roof carpentry course in the future, where Alaska experiences, teaching stories, and encounters with Doomsday Preppers can be explored. The speaker has had an enriching and unexpected journey, meeting diverse individuals and engaging in new experiences. Thompson Timber can be easily found through a Google search, offering courses and having a sister school near Anchorage. James welcomes connections and encourages reaching out. Cheers!
You can find more about James on his website, Thomson Timber
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