Welcome to Carpentry Pro Framer. I’m Garrett Dawson, and if there’s one idea that’s followed me from my first day in a woodshop to every frame I’ve stood since, it’s this: plan carefully, build with purpose.

I built this site for people who love the work but hate the guesswork. If you’ve ever stared at a stack of lumber wondering where to start, fought a floor that refuses to square up, or re-cut something you swore you measured right, you’re in the right place.

Garrett Dawson standing in a small woodworking shop beside a workbench with framing squares and a tape measure, warm natural light coming through a window

How I got here

I grew up sweeping sawdust in a local woodshop. I was the kid with a broom in one hand and a million questions in the other, listening to old-timers talk about grain direction, sharp blades, and why you never rush layout. That’s where I learned the golden rule of carpentry: measure twice, cut once.

Over the last fifteen years, I’ve spent most of my time on the structural side of the craft, framing walls, laying subfloors, and cutting roof systems. I’ve worked on everything from tight backyard sheds to larger residential work, both new builds and remodels. The more projects I took on, the more I came to respect the skeleton of a building. When the bones are right, everything that comes later gets easier. When they’re off, every trade that follows is forced to make it work, and that usually means wasted time, wasted material, and a whole lot of frustration.

I’m fascinated by the raw geometry that lives inside good carpentry. Plumb, level, square, and true are not just buzzwords. They are the difference between a house that fights you and a house that cooperates with you. There’s also a satisfaction in a corner that lands perfectly, a layout line that actually means something, and a roof cut that drops in like it was always meant to be there.

Garrett Dawson on a residential framing site checking a wall for plumb with a long level, with stacked studs and sheathing in the background

Why this site exists

I live in the Pacific Northwest, and when I’m not on a job site, I’m usually restoring an old timber-framed cabin or helping friends with ambitious DIY builds. Those weekends taught me something important: most people do not need more motivation. They need a clear layout, a solid sequence, and the confidence to follow it.

Carpentry Pro Framer is my place to share the methods that keep projects moving. Not shortcuts that sacrifice strength, and not theory that only works on paper. Real layout techniques, construction math you can actually use, and step-by-step framing thinking that helps you see the whole build before you ever pick up a hammer.

This site is for DIYers who want results they can be proud of, apprentices who want the why behind the work, and working carpenters who want a cleaner system and fewer callbacks.

If you’re new, start with Framing for the fundamentals, then keep it simple with Make a Cut List Before Buying Wood before your next lumber run. If you already know what you’re building, jump into the guides and get after it.

What you’ll find here

The goal is simple: help you build straighter, stronger, and with less rework. Here’s what readers can expect on Carpentry Pro Framer:

  • Framing fundamentals you can trust: wall layout, floor systems, roof basics, and the habits that keep things square. Visit Framing.
  • Projects that teach the process: builds that reinforce prep and sequencing, not just final measurements. Browse Carpentry Projects.
  • Home repair with a carpenter’s mindset: practical fixes that focus on structure and durability, not quick patches. Head to Home Repair.
  • Tools and how to use them well: what matters, what doesn’t, and how to set yourself up for clean, repeatable work. See Tools.
  • Habits that prevent expensive mistakes: cut lists, layout checks, and simple routines that keep you honest before you start cutting. A good place to begin is Make a Cut List Before Buying Wood.
A small timber-framed cabin in a Pacific Northwest forest with fresh-cut lumber stacked nearby, damp overcast light and tall evergreens in the background

How I work

I write the way I like to be taught: clear, methodical, and encouraging. I’m not here to talk down to beginners or show off for experienced builders. I’m here to help you think like a framer, because framing is mostly decision-making: where you start, how you reference, what you hold, and what you verify before committing to a cut.

You’ll see me come back to a few themes again and again:

  • Layout is a language. If your layout is clean, the build reads clean.
  • Reference from the same edge. Consistency beats perfection.
  • Square early. The first chance to fix it is usually the best chance.
  • Think through the whole sequence. The next step gets easier when you know the last step.
  • Build safe and build to code. Strength and durability mean nothing if the work is risky or fails inspection.

Questions and feedback

If something on the site is unclear, if you spot a mistake, or if you’ve got a real-world situation you want me to address, I genuinely want to hear from you. The best lessons in carpentry usually come from the moments that surprise you.

Send a note through the contact form. I read every message and use that feedback to keep the guides tight, accurate, and useful.

Thanks for being here. Grab a tape, sharpen a pencil, and let’s build something that stays put.

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