build the timber frame you’ve been imagining

a hands-on timber framing class built around a clear workflow and a timber frame kit that makes building approachable

 ellsworth, wisconsin | limited to 10 students

if you’ve ever pictured yourself standing inside a timber frame you built with your own hands — a cabin, a home, a shop — this class exists to help make that real.

not someday.
not in theory.
in practice.

from dream to structure

many people want to build a timber frame.
most don’t know where to start.

common questions we hear:

• where do i begin?

• what tools do i actually need?

• do i need to be good at math?

• how do i know i’m doing it right?

this class answers those questions by giving you direct experience.

you don’t just learn how timber frames are built.
you help build one — from layout to test raise.

the star hill timber framing system

this class is taught using the star hill timber framing system — a clear, repeatable methodology for building timber frames without guesswork.

the system is built around a simple idea:

if the process is clear, anyone can build.

instead of relying on math, tricks, or intuition, the system provides:

• a defined workflow from first timber to test raise

• a repeatable layout method that doesn’t rely on calculations

• consistent references that reduce mental overhead

• confidence that you know what to do next

this isn’t about doing things one “correct” way.
it’s about understanding the process well enough to build your own way.

a method designed to be approachable

you don’t need:

• advanced math

• geometry formulas

• years of experience

• special shop instincts

the star hill system works because:

• layout is physical, not theoretical

• accuracy comes from reference, not math

• mistakes show up early and can be corrected

• steps happen in a clear, repeatable order

if you can follow a process, you can build a timber frame.

the timber frame kit (and why it matters)

at the center of the system is the timber frame kit.

the timber frame kit is a physical layout system that allows you to:

• lay out joinery quickly and consistently

• work without calculations or complex geometry

• transfer layout directly to the timber

• focus on fit and accuracy instead of numbers

rather than asking you to figure things out, the timber frame kit acts as a physical reference that keeps your layout honest and repeatable.

the kit used in this class is made from 304 stainless steel for durability and long-term shop use, and it’s the same system used in the star hill shop.

multiple ways to build — one clear system

timber framing isn’t one thing, and we don’t teach it as such.

within the star hill timber framing system, students are exposed to:

• traditional hand-tool timber framing

• mid-level power-tool workflows

• high-end power-tool approaches used in production shops

because the class is small, we can:

• explore different approaches in real time

• focus on the methods you’re most interested in

• help you understand the tradeoffs between speed, cost, and complexity

the goal isn’t to tell you what tools to buy.
the goal is to help you understand why you’d choose one approach over another.

prepared to choose tools with confidence

by the end of the class, students aren’t guessing about tools — they’re informed.

you leave knowing:

• which tools matter for your goals

• which tools can wait

• how different tools affect workflow, accuracy, and pace

after the class, students receive access to a curated list of recommended timber framing tools, including tools outside the star hill system that we’ve found valuable in real-world timber framing.

these recommendations are provided as guidance, not requirements.

what you leave with

students don’t leave inspired — they leave oriented.

you walk away with:

• experience working on a real timber frame structure

• a workflow you trust and can repeat on your own

• clarity around tools, methods, and next steps

• confidence that comes from having done the work

for many students, this is the moment when building a timber frame stops being a dream and starts being a plan.

small class. real instruction.

enrollment is limited to 10 students so instruction stays personal and hands-on.

that means:

• layout lines are checked and discussed

• joints are reviewed before and after cutting

• questions are answered in the moment

• uncertainty is resolved before it turns into doubt

you’re not watching from the sidelines.
you’re building — with guidance — the entire week.

build something real

this is not a bench class.

nearly all of your time is spent working on a full timber frame structure:

• full layout

• real joinery

• fitting and adjustment

• test raising as a crew

everything you cut is part of the frame.

standing inside a structure you helped build changes what you believe you’re capable of.

manuals & plans

students receive the digital timber framing practices manual, which documents the star hill system step by step:

• layout logic

• sequencing

• cutting and fitting workflow

the digital manual is provided before class, so you arrive already familiar with the process.

students also receive a digital copy of the timber frame plan built during the class.

a printed poly shop manual will be available at the class for those who prefer a physical reference.

registration & initial payment

to enroll, an initial payment of $700 is required.

this is the first portion of the class tuition and begins your participation in the star hill timber framing system.

with your initial payment, you receive:

• the timber frame kit, shipped prior to class

• access to the digital timber framing practices manual

the remaining class balance is due on the first day of class.

bringing your timber frame kit to class

students are encouraged to bring their timber frame kit to class and work with their own tools.

if travel logistics make that difficult, loaner layout tools are available, so no one is limited by what they can bring.

chisels & hand tools during class

loaner chisels are provided for all students.

you’re encouraged to bring your own chisels if you have them, but it’s not required.

throughout the week, you’ll work with a range of hand tools and power tools, gaining hands-on experience before deciding what belongs in your own shop.

chisels, saws, and other tools will be available for purchase during the class if you choose to expand your kit.

class details

dates
may 20-24, 2026

location
heated shop in ellsworth, wi
approximately one hour east of minneapolis / st. paul

outdoor covered work areas available, weather permitting.

what to bring

• safety glasses

• hearing protection

• gloves

• sturdy footwear

no prior experience required — just curiosity and a willingness to work.

reserve your spot

this class will fill.

if you’re ready to move from imagining a timber frame to knowing how to build one — and knowing how you want to build it — we’d be glad to work with you.

build. remember. repeat.