Wetlands Creations

15/11/2021

09/01/2021

Joining stone to wood using joinery...

30/09/2020

An interesting video showing early Australian timber building techniques using only hand tools and the trees that were avalable.

Made by Film Australia 1984. Directed by Paul Humfress. A detailed look at the restoration of the Coolamine Homestead in the Kosciuszko National Park. The bu...

15/08/2020

If anyone is sitting on the edge of taking the Fox Maple Timber Framing Workshops (and can get to them in Maine USA), at the time I shared this post there are 2 spaces left. The Introductory workshop starts 17th August 2020...
I can highly recommend these workshops.
The Introductory and Avanced workshop I took in 2017 transformer my understanding of the craft and has propelled me down an exciting journey of traditional timber framing.
For pictures from the 2017 workshop (and the Australian October 2018 workshop) see Wetlands Creations

05/07/2020

Working with wood with my 91 year old father.
A couple of weeks ago while visiting Mum and Dad, Tom (dad) wanted a hand to cut some plywood for a little project he was doing... Nothing special in its own right, but it was very special for me to once again to work with my farther. It was because of him introducing me to wood working and building, that I'm now passionately involved in traditional timber framing, chain saw milling and creating with wood.
While non of us have had a career in wood working Toms father (my Grandfather) also worked with wood. I have his Australian made Titon chisels (pictured in the this post), and his Disston saws - now restored, sharp and in use. My dad's saws are now off being restored and sharpened. Their plates will be back in great condition, with sharp teeth, ready for use the next time he needs them.
A few of the tools pictured, even date back to one of my Great Great Grandfather's, Edmund Enwright, a Ships Carpenter that emigrated to Australia in 1853. The large 1-1/2 inch Ward and Payne chisel, and most likely the two unmarked hatchet heads. The story of Edmunds emigration to Australia is one of love and intrigue, but that's a story for another time that I'll tell on my page sometime in the future.

Back to my father. The building frame pictured was a 18 by 18 foot single room building I built with dad out of 100 year old recycled Australia hardwood when I was 12 years old and he 53 (I'm now 50). I remember school holiday after school holiday pulling out rusted nails from wood as hard as iron. I do also remember the fun bits... assembling and raising the wall frames. Dad will tell you that he inititated this project, as I wanted a "museum" to house our family history things, and his and my mineral and rock collection. Apparently I was eyeing off a falling down shed for the purpose that was well beyond restoration, and now long gone. The building dad and I built, still stands and is now my wifes Massage Studio - Innerji Sound and Massage.

So thanks dad, grandad and all before you. You have give my something that brings creativity and additional meaning to my life.

21/05/2020

HOW TO MILL LARGE CURVED BEAMS:
The first 4 photos show the evolution of my equipment and techniques, which has lead to a capacity to be able to mill large curved beams for traditional timber framed structures. The 5th photo is of a timber framed bridge with 4 beams from two storm felled large Australian Eucalyptus hardwood (Yellow Box) trees that were milled with this equipment in 2018. This bridge frame (an ongoing project) can be see at our Grampians Paradise Camping and Caravan Parkland.

The following photos (with descriptions) give more detailed on the evolution of the equipment and the process.

If you are interested in learning the ins and outs of milling beams (particularly curved beams), and can get to the Grampians, Victoria, Australia, I'm often looking for an assistant to help with milling. The exchange would be me teaching, for your helping. There's no better way to learn, than by being involved with the process. If interested please personal message me (Aidan Banfield) or message Wetlands Creations.

Smaller trees may only take a couple of days to mill into beams. Big complicated beams, requiring the fully supported rail set up, typically take a week from start of prepping and assessing the tree, to set up of the support rails, milling and through to competing of clean up.

07/04/2020

This is a great set of animated drawings and 3D models. It makes it easier to understand how these timber framing joints come together.

Techniques for connecting trees and trees without using metal fittings or glue

03/04/2020

The pictures (with explanatory captions) in this post tell the story of making a 6 by 10 inch Yellow Box Eucalyptus hardwood post to shield and hide electrical conducts running up to the bottom of an outdoors switch board.
The pictures feature a custom chainsaw mill setup that is powered by electric chainsaws, and a router mill that can achieve tolerances of 0.3mm (12 1000's of an inch) over 2.9 metre long timber beams.
I hope these pictures explain the process, and are of some interest. Aidan Banfield