Introduction

Tools

Hewing

Raising a Model Barn

Some of the timbers used in the barns at Howell Farm were cut at water powered sawmills while others were hand hewn.  Axes for hewing the round logs into square timbers are shown in the photos below.

Once timbers are squared and smoothed, or were received from the mill and cut to the proper length, the next step was to measure and cut the mortises and tennons. 

A drillpress, or boring machine, used to drill out the mortises in timbers is shown at left. The photo below shows restoration carpenter Dave Kirkpatrick using the drill press and demonstrating it for visitors and farm administrator Pete Watson.

After drilling, the mortises are squared using various sized chisels.  A wooden mallet and several chisels are shown below along with several mortises that have been cut.