"A Big, Bad Ass Shed," as described by owner Bill Keegan.
The Cumberland Mountains hold many secrets. The Obed Wild and Scenic River is a mecca for rock climbers and kayakers. Frozen Head is a network of unprecedented hiking trails, also home of the legendary Barkley Marathon. The Lilly Bluff overlook boasts far reaching views and is especially popular for astrological events, as it is an International Dark Sky Reserve. And for those thrill seekers, the abandoned 2,200 ft long Nemo Tunnel is a bucket list destination for many off-roaders.
For other folks, these mountains offer the quiet, tucked away solitude many only dream of calling home. Bill and Sherry’s log style home is perched on a ridge overlooking the rolling hills of these mountains. The sun sweeps across acres of garden space and establishing orchards, all surrounded by wilderness, wildlife, and natural springs. Frank and I would know. Located in the Obed Scenic Community, their home is just down the ridge and two right turns from our property.
Bill and Sherry
As a retired engineer, Bill is a collector of vintage tractors and heavy equipment, which he uses to maintain his property. Bill also generously contributes to the upkeep of our private roads within the Obed Scenic Community, earning him the nickname Tractor Bill.
In early 2022, Frank and I began cutting a frame for Bill and Sherry. This roughly 40ft by 60ft structure on a pier foundation would be the heavy equipment shed Bill needed to get his tractors, backhoe, and all of their accessories out of the elements.
Preliminary Stages
Conceptualizing for this frame began in the summer of 2021. Once Frank and Bill had the final design work complete and the timber schedule set, Frank put in the timber order. For this particular design, we needed 20-foot timbers. This turned out to be more challenging for our sawmill to procure and it wasn't until late January, 2022, that our timbers were ready and finally delivered to the BBTF Shop.
With our shop, the Orchid, enclosed, we had a place to work out of the elements, complete with a mini crib, work benches, and a propane heater. We also set up a dual crib under the tree canopy, near where Frank originally cut the frame for our home, the Amadell Greenhouse, and the Lineville Frame. Here, Frank could easily survey larger timbers and maneuver them with the tractor.
Cutting the Frame
At this point, most of the timbers had been curing at the mill for a number of weeks, so we were able to get started right away. After we had the timbers stacked and stickered, we began to settle into a routine. Frank would spend the mornings laying out timbers, measuring and marking where each joint would go. Together we would use the power tools to hog out mortises and brace pockets and plunge-cut tenons. I would then move to hand tool work, cleaning and shaping joints with my chisels and the Japanese saw while Frank would lay out our next set of timbers.
Though I had completed a Timber Framing course two summers prior and helped with the Orchid, this was the first contract frame Frank brought me on for. Frank would spend time with me on visualization and orientation of each member in the frame. He would tour me through each timber as we double checked measurements and placement of each joint. I would make notes on measurements and check his layout lines before cutting.
Over the weeks of cutting, we fell into a good groove. There is something to be said about “working from home” in the winter where lunch and a hot cup of tea are only 100 feet away. Despite the work we put into getting our shop ready, we spent most of our workdays on the outdoor crib. Overall, the weather was quite pleasant, and we would work around our snow days. Though we had some brisk mornings, it was worth it to be out in the woods, listening to the stream piddle by and the Pileated Woodpecker shrieking in the woods.
We slowly watched our stickered timber pile diminish and our piles of posts, tie beams, and top plates grow. When we began cutting rafters and brace stock, we felt the surge of the final stretch.
Raising the Frame
Frank has a knack for designing frames that can be raised without the need for heavy equipment. Our intention was to raise the frame ourselves, just Frank and I. It turned out that the lifting capacity on our tractor did not quite have the power to lift the 20ft long bents on to the pier foundation. Luckily, Bill was eager to step in and support by putting one of his tractors to work on its future home.
Nestled in and surrounded by forest on three sides, we raised each bent in succession. Once the fifth bent was up, we marveled at the mass of structure. We put on the rafters and metal roofing, and the structure was ready for her new residents. The incredible treasure of timber framing is even if you map everything out 100 times, there is no way to really know what the frame will look like until it is raised. As it comes together, it expands and takes on its own life. Frank and I were both in awe with how beautiful this simple, yet efficiently designed frame came together. Even Bill joked about enclosing it as a home and moving into it.
Working with Bill brought a lot of joy and playfulness to the project. The energy dynamic of having a third set of hands and eyes allowed us to problem solve and navigate the raising much quicker. Each morning, we would check in with Bill and Sherry and connect a little deeper with them, sharing stories, and neighborhood news. They spend a lot of time and energy focusing on and caring for those around them. Their children and grandchildren are their pride and joy. As they radiate, sharing stories of their playful adventures, I look around the garage to see Little Tyke wheel barrows, plastic garden tools, and bows and arrows. In many ways they have brought us into the folds of their family, reaching out to us and checking in on us as we continue other projects. Through our process of building structures, we tend to also build firm foundations of friendship and family. I would have to say that this is one of the most rewarding aspects of timber framing.
Love is the Structure of all Things
Frank and I are blessed to have the opportunity to work with wonderful people, to put our energy into creating frames that enhance the lives of others and to begin new journeys of friendship. At Bear Branch Timber Framing we have learned that Love is the Structure of all Things. And I have really been feeling that lately in the work we have been doing.
Where are Frank and Rebekah?

Currently, we are still in North Carolina, and just finished raising Mark and Ladda's home! Keep an eye out for our next blog in a few weeks. Also, you can check out our Bear Branch Facebook Group to see photos and more updates.
As always, feel free to reach out and connect with us.
With love,
Frank and Rebekah
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