Tuesday 12 June 2012, 9.30am to 5pm

The course

The use of the roofing square is a fundamental skill of carpentry. This workshop focuses on the use of the square to line out all the lengths and bevels required for Octagonal roofs. This polygonal shape is the most common variation encountered by the carpenter looking to cut and pitch roofs. Whole Octagons have traditionally been used for spires, gazebos and gate houses. Part octagons are found used for porches, bay windows and where the corner of a building has been splayed at 45 degrees.

There are a large number of variations on how to use the square and we will follow an early 20th Century method, based on the use of triangles, without using any rafter tables, ready reckoners, roof development or calculators.

The rafters to the Museum’s octagonal spire were lined out using the square.

Ideally students will have attended the Museum’s Roofing Square workshop on Monday 11th June 2012 or have a basic knowledge, but this in not essential. Suitable for anyone interested in using  the roofing square to line out more than just straight forward regular plan roofs.

The tutor

Joe Thompson of Sussex Oak & Iron is carpenter in residence at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum. He teaches a range of historic carpentry courses at the museum. He has developed a keen analytical eye and a scholar’s passion for following and interpreting the evidence along with a natural skill in teaching.  More information can be found on Joe’s website at www.sussexoak.co.uk

Participant information

The course will be limited to 12 participants.  Practical clothing and a pair of safety boots are required.  All necessary tools will be provided, but participants can bring along any tools and reference bookgs etc, for discussion and comparison.  Stills photography and note taking is encouraged.  Video photography is not permitted.

Fee

£99 per person for full participation in the workshop, to include teas, coffees and a light lunch.

Useful websites
www.tfguild.org
www.carpentersfellowship.co.uk

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.