making window frames

woodhead · Post by **woodhead** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:52 pm

Hi. My first posting.
I am experienced in most building skills. However after buying a house to rennovate in Italy (north Tuscany) several years ago I am now in a position to install the windows and french (?) doors etc. Sadly, the local quotes were around £20k plus for around 16 units. So I've decided to make my own. Now this is where advice is sought from you please. I am not familiar with modern woodworking machinery such as flip saws etc. (apart of course from common hand held stuff, and wondered if any experienced people might advise as to which kind of machine I should buy to aid manufacture of widow parts. I'd be willing to spend around £700 on something new, though it would need to be transportable to Italy and back (in covered trailer) and light enough to carry/ unload.
I guess I would need to be able to feed in 2.4m lengths to rebate lengthways and then to cross cut for joint making etc. Does anyone have suggestions as to the best type of joints (timber, not herbal!!!) I should use. The local wood is chestnut or possibly larch I think. Oh and the other thing is that the local style of timber windows open inwards and have additional internal wooden shutters and espagnolette metal fasteners.
Any advice much appreciated and welcome.
I guess I'm afraid of buying something and then finding it wasn't quite right, or only does half of what's needed.

Thanks
Woodhead

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woodhead · Post by **woodhead** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:57 pm

Of course I mean window parts, not widow parts - typo error! I have never seen widow parts!

Mr Mike · Post by **Mr Mike** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:23 pm

Hi Woodhead,

I would probably take something like a DW743 flip over saw, but what about planing/thicknessing ? You'll have to make very good friends with a local that his own small mill......you'll struggle to find chestnut already converted to convenient sizes for your windows.

Chestnut (Castagne) is the main wood of choice for doors and windows over there. I stayed with an English couple (Geran and Vince) last year that completely renovated a farmhouse. Vince made all the winows and doors himself for the same cost reasons as yourself. Albeit, quite 'rustic', he made a damned good job himself, and hand built the kitchen. He taught himself from books, and had no carpentry background.....even made a lot of the ironmongery himself ! You could email him via his wife geran@ilfabbrotuscany.com, or, visit their website. I'm sure he'd be happy to give you some guidance.

The 743 is a great saw, but I'd be apprehensive using it to rebate 2.4m lengths. With limited milling capabilities, I'd be more inclined to do the rebates with a handheld router.....

woodhead · Post by **woodhead** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:58 pm

Thanks Mike.
I will email your friends. Sounds like they're in the same sort of area? Near Lucca??
Woodhead

Mr Mike · Post by **Mr Mike** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:41 am

Yes, quite near Lucca (great hand forged ironmongery shop in Lucca), but they're actually nearer a little town called Bagni di Lucca....they're up in the hills.

Theirs is a guest house we stayed at......and much to the other half's dismay

, myself and Vince had endless carpentry related conversations......I was really impressed by his work, with limited tooling initially, but I think he's built up quite a collection of machinery since.

You should book a night or two there

.....I'm sure it'd be worth it with the knowledge & inspiration you'd pick up from it.....

Good luck with the project.....I'm very jealous !

woodhead · Post by **woodhead** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 5:05 pm

Yes cheers MIke
I've looked at the website and emailed them, together with a couple of pics. Their place looks stunning. We nearly bought a house in Barga and know it well- but settled for Pescaglia- about half an hour from Barga and half an hour from Lucca.
Living in Cambridge but originally from Lancs.
Spent time teaching on Isle of Dogs opposite Greenwich (under foot-tunnel at Cutty Sark). 30yrs ago mind you. Painted a mural with kids in the entrance hall adjacent to lift. I believe it's still there.
Cheers