Today was the day we have been waiting for. . After 16 months of planning the first parts of our timber frame would be raised today. To add to the experience I would be given the opportunity to work side by side with the crew. I was given a hard hat and some quick instructions. It was time to prove I was a competent flat lander.
The first bent which was assembled on the deck the day before was hooked up to the crane and slowly raised into position. Next up the beams that connect the bents together. Pat shows me how to hook up the lifting straps to the beam and we tied a rope off to help guide the beam into place. Hard to describe the feeling of watching a piece of your future home flying overhead and guiding it with a rope.
The process was repeated over and over to all of the bents were raised and connected together. Next up were the second floor joists. I was able to work with Pat to help secure the joist to the crane and watch them fly up to the crews working on the second floor. Incredible to watch the pieces that were built months ago in a shop, never test fitted together just lock into place with perfectly.
At the end of the day a personal highlight for me. A career carpenter telling me he didn’t know what to think when the homeowner was going to help out. After working with me he was really impressed with my competence in carpentry and general understanding of carpentry. Wow. He will never know how much I appreciated those words. Maybe a future career for me…
Just an incredible day!
