Framing Walls with Larry Haun 

They need to show some of these videos at high schools for kids that might not want to go to college. These guys are exceptional

That was, for me, the perfect RU-vid video. No cheesy music, no filler, genuine blokes who don’t need to be comedians, everything straight to the point, massively informative and interesting. Every second of that video was worth watching. Thanks guys, brilliant. (660 people have disliked this video. Come on guys, what do you want?).

Regarding this line of thinking that Larry was somehow “old school” it is worth reading his memoir A Carpenter’s Life As Told by Houses. About ¾ of the way through the book he really drills down into his experience doing hard-core “piecework” production framing in southern California with the construction company his older brother Jim started in the early 1950s. By that time he had already been a carpenter on a handful of truly “old school” framing jobs including one traditional balloon frame job. Framing lumber was hand sawn and walls were erected stud-by-stud in the vertical position. Then by the mid-50s the world of residential construction was turned upside-down and they were in the vanguard. They were full-blown early adopters of nearly all new production tools and techniques…including nail guns. The Haun brothers pioneered many of these. He also points out that there were individuals who were so specialized in their area of framing that they could nail almost as quickly as by gun. He speaks of a pneumatic stapler that he purchased and used for sheathing in the early 1960s. I don’t know for sure but think that a lot of the hand nailing that you see in Larry’s video’s make have been an aesthetic “cinematic” choice that he and the producers made. He and Joe were phenomenal nailers and perhaps wanted to put that on display. It should be noted that the core message these videos is not how you nail but rather how you pre-plan the work, sequence the work, position materials on the job, accurately layout the work and finally erect the work plumb and straight with the fewest steps. At no point is he doctrinaire about nailing. Larry also takes much pride in doing this while using a tape measure sparingly and that was very much "new" in his early production framing days. Having him lug around and use a nailing gun scene after scene would have reduced the impact of the video’s core message. Just my opinion.

When I turned 30 and was going through a divorce and needed work a friend hired me on his framing crew..I didn't know squat but was willing to learn..at first I was just lumping wood and his gofer.. eventually he taught me more skills..framing walls, hanging rafters, sheathing etc etc.. eventually the crew fell apart and I went on to different work..but those skills turned me into a man and stuck with me 25 years later..watching these two masters bring back those memories and the pride that I felt everytime we completed a house!

years ago, before youtube, i bought a cd they used to sell about framing houses by Larry Haun. with that i self taught myself to frame houses and have since built 6 houses from the ground up.

Larry is the Bob Ross of framing. I’ve never painted a painting in my life, but still watched Bob Ross’s shows. I’ve never even built a damn dog house in my life, but here I am watching Larry frame a house.

The planning and marking process is the most difficult one and seeing Larry and Joe doing it just amazes me. RIP Larry, you're a legend.

32 people who disliked this video couldn’t eye ball the cut.

larry's right arm is the original blueprint for the paslode framing gun

The boots. The skiller diller. The suspenders. Massive wood handled framing hammer. This was when I came up as a kid learning framing with my dad. Good memories.

Imagine, what a satisfying life, to build homes by hand with your brother in cool/sunny weather.

God bless Larry Haun, read some of his books many years ago! If Larry were alive today he'd be a youtube star- such a natural style of delivery and good, honest content. RIP

I'll never get tire of Larry and his cheeky one-hit nail drives.

Larry and Joe were with me during middle school shop class, high school building trades and finally the Carpenters Union apprenticeship program. True masters of their trade.

I absolutely love how they hand nailed everything. Old school and perfect.

Boy, I sure wish people built modest little homes like this. And I sure wish I could have spent about a decade framing with Larry and Joe.

They still calibrate tapes and squares with Larry's cuts to this day.

Man he’s they type of guy that you want him as a teacher, mentor. I can listen to him carry on for hours.

This guy is an absolute legend. I started framing in 2013 and watched all his videos and completely adopted his style. Larry's swing is effortless and manly. Legend without a doubt.

The dislikes are from ppl who can’t sink a 16d sinker in one swing

A true legend.. NOBODY can fill those shoes.

Larry and his 2 brothers framed a house a day in the 50's...the whole thing, before nail guns, prefabbed trusses, ect...very impressive

Men like this never die. Always find myself coming back to Larry. Shame he had to go, but at least the lessons of his experience live on.

Joe doesn’t say much, but you know that man is just as smart as his brother! Great crew, great knowledge.

Tuba 6, Tuba 4!

This is the kind of dude that goes out to lunch with the crew and shoots a perfect game of pool, does a epic card trick, fixes the waitresses car outside and everyone finds out hes worth 10 million dollars, without ever seeming like a jerk. Just one of them common sense geniuses

Human nail gun. I learn so much watching Larry and Joe's videos.

I've been a framer for the past 20 years and I just have to say these guys are impressive techniciens. It's such a pleasure to watch them work.

I don't know how many times i've watched these. But they're still glorious after all these years.

I have been building for over 30 years and could learn something from Larry every day of the week and just enjoy watching his videos, so full of wisdom. Thanks Larry. When I found out Larry had passed I cried. Im 55yrs old.

What a beautiful video. I think ill be rewatching this every day for the next week. Its so soothing to me to come home from a long day of carpentry to watch this master of his craft swing his hammer the old fashioned way.

I'm a business graduate from Spain, but I can't stop watching and listening to this true master, Larry. And that teamwork with Joe. I don't even do carpentry or use imperial system for god's sake!

When I watch guys like Larry I realize how much of an amateur carpenter I really am

Larry could have framed for me anytime. Never saw a framer so competent and skilled.

I am a Mechanical CAD Drafter but want to start Architectural Drafting for residential homes. Larry Haun's videos have really helped me understand how a house is actually built and the vocabulary of the trade. Thank you so much for posting his videos. I'm planning to watch these a few times.

This is the best quality and most useful video on the entire online world. I have learned more in this one hour than all years of the school. Thank you so much!

I’m not even a carpenter. Yet, I still watched this whole video. Mr. Haun’s voice makes you want to learn.

“If you have a nail gun... you might wanna use it.” Unless you’re an absolute beast with a framing hammer.

As a framer my self for almost two decades, till today I have nothing but respect and admiration for this man. A true legend

I was taught years ago by an old guy like Larry, he wouldn't use battery drills and paslode nail guns hadn't long been on the scene. Everything was done by hand all bar a skill saw. Certainly taught me patience and how to hammer nails. He set me up with a 8' 4x8 and made me hammer nails until all the timber was near enough full of nails. Don't know how many times I hit my fingers but by the end of it you where sinking nails faster and more accurately than you could of ever imagined. Served me well in the long run, most new kids will never swing a hammer to hit nails in nowadays. Other trades would laugh at the lack of power tools until he busted out the hammer and put the nail guns to shame when they over heated and couldn't keep up. Now teaching my son the same way so he appreciates the new cordless power tools if and when he gets it later.

honestly larrys voice on low volume put me to sleep like an angel.

It's 2:20am and i have to wake up at 5am and this is the best video I've ever seen in framing. Amazing teacher.

The sounds of the tool belt and tools clanking together, the wood shifting on the floor,the hammering, the square grinding on the wood and him marking with the crayon is like ASMR to my ears. So very relaxing and educational. Love these videos, R.I.P Larry Haun

I love how they eye ball saw cuts with accuracy. What a boss!

old school & accurate, love watching these videos, you can really see how good Larry& Joe are. Larry explains things the way my Dad taught me.

Larry would put the entire era of Pirates to shame with his code keeping!

I’ve been a contractor for 20+ years and this series of videos is by far my best to watch Larry and his brother-in-law are a symphony amazing to watch I would’ve loved met him when he was still here and to all those Who are watching be grateful for these men desire to share their wisdom to the building community God bless them

Larry would make even some of the best carpenters today look like beginners.

Within seconds of watching Larry for the first time I was hooked. He is so genuine and eager to share his wisdom. RIP Larry Legend From Remembering Larry Haun by Brian Pontolilo - “Larry began his building career on the Nebraska prairie at the tender age of 17-and kept building for the next 63 years. In the past few years, he has been “retired,” which in Larry’s case meant building houses for Habitat for Humanity and wheelchair ramps for people in hospice care; teaching; and generally passing along the wisdom of a compassionate life well lived.”

This guy is just gifted, all you can make of it. Man he was connected with the master carpenter. What a learning lesson Larry left behind for us all, Joe included.

Everyone credit's Larry's arm on that spot on nailing when Larry himself gives credit to Joe for doing most of the nailing at 15:49. What an honorable human being, especially in viewing them as a team. Humans do way better working with one another :)

Dude I wish I was Larry's apprentice. He's a god damn beauty.

Fourth time watching Larry frame a house, his brother a man with few words..

Thank you Larry Haun. I'm now beginning the process of building my own house for the first time. Today I did the layout and got tools and supplies. Soon will begin the foundation work and then the framing process. Thanks to Larry and some others, I'm able to build in a safe and professional manner knowing my home will be built right. So looking forward to it too. This is going to be a lot of fun actually. Cheers!

My sister and I built our first shed using this video felt really confident going in

This video is my first exposure to Larry but I'm certifiably hooked. Framing up houses is my favorite part of any job, and seeing this much skill on display is just fantastic

I’ll never frame a house, but I’ll be damned if he didn’t hold my attention the whole time.

What a treasure this is.

30 years ago I was a framer on tract homes in Arizona. I watched this just to see if there was anything that I didn't already know. I wish I had known about the way to measure the foundation bolts, and the layout gauge then.

I'm moved and reassured at how many people are connecting with this. "The Bill Mason of the Carpentry World". We're all being touched by this content of unpolluted purity and substance. "Revelatory" in fact, judging by many of the comments. I want to climb back into this time period and this clean-and-safe job-site aesthetic, uncluttered with cheap shitty plastic hi-viz everything. They wore cotton and leather. They weren't slobs. Lithe, strong, fast and accurate. Carpentry as prideful high-art. No grunts being kicked around. It's an absolute joy to connect with this trade in a way these men seem to be capable of inspiring within me. I enjoyed reading so many similarly appreciative comments. Thank you everyone for sharing, and to finehomebuiding for posting this immortalizing video : )

Man Larry is a fucking beast man. The accuracy and straight cuts is what makes him so fucking cool. He doesn't even use a square and barely uses a tape.

I got my Certificate of Construction Technology from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA. My teacher was a guy Named Hank Reese who Larry Haun reminds me a lot of. I watched a video of Hank hang rafters on one side of a gable roof in about 20 minutes, all by himself. He would move around on that roof like a cat. set a 16d with one hit bury it with another. The most amazing thing was, if a nail bent while he was setting it, it didn't phase him. with the next hamer blow he straightened and sank it! These guys built California after WWII. RIP to all of them. After graduating, I went to work with a guy in Laguna Beach who wouldn't allow nail guns on his job sites. We even had to install floor plywood panels by hammer. his tolerance for rough framing was 1/8".

I guess 2 wrongs really do make a right LOL. "A bad level and a bowed stud = accurate". Larry is like McGyver and Chuck Norris, all rolled up into one. Love it!!

Just discovered Larry Haun. he's my new hero. I would have loved to have worked with him

I remember watching these videos as a kid.. I am pretty sure I have 1 more building left in me. Then age is going to set in. I'm sharing these teachings with kids I know. Larry was a good calm teacher.

It’s magical watching him work that skillsaw.

It's a shame Larry and Joe didn't make more videos. I could watch them all year long. Best carpenters in the last 2 centuries.

A true gentleman and master at his trade. RIP Larry and thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world.

This guy is a great teacher -- the kind who you look back and say "he made a big difference in my life."

I’ve never seen a man so genuinely happy at work

You know why this was so good? Because there was no fancy editing, Larry spoke to exactly what he was doing and why, and the camera shots allowed me to see what was going on. Great Video!!!

Possibly the best instructional video I've ever seen, this is just brilliant, thank you Larry

They don't build'em like Larry Haun anymore. My back, and knees, were crying for these gents.

He's the Bob Ross of framing

Even after having worked in rough carpentry (house framing) for years, I still learned a few things. Loved this video. R.I.P Larry, your legacy lives on! You were good.

Very impressive. Larry is the best framer I have ever seen. His videos are so informative. As a carpenter, I was humbled by his expertise.

They need to dip that hammer in GOLD ❤ put it in the Hall of Fame❤

Rough carpentry was so fun. I seen a comment once how he marked with a crayon and the guy freaked out. It’s “rough” carpentry, not finish carpentry ppl. This guy was the GOAT!

Larry Haun is a legend. He made it look so easy.

Larry's skills are top level. Jedi Knight with a hammer and skill saw.

How many people have been inspired by this man? RIP!

The approach and thoughtful planning taught here holds up even 30 years later.

The ru-vid.comUgkxS-P9OAq3v4HNpPFqYFWNEq9A-E_PbZIN are indeed helpful, and the product is entirely promising if you are looking forward to building a single shed in your home It is entirely different from the other havoc packages that we usually see online and therefore it is such a package beyond expectations!

Love this education style. Youth today NEED to know these tricks of the trade. Wish I could've grown up on these films!

Pretty amazing how Joe throws in nails at one point, so fast and fluid yet effortless at the same time

“BushRadical” recommended your channel and I’m glad he did.

Thank you for this insightful video! Larry Haun's expertise and attention to detail make learning how to frame walls both informative and enjoyable. I appreciate the clear explanations and practical tips shared throughout the video. As someone new to carpentry, I found this tutorial incredibly helpful and inspiring. Looking forward to watching more of Larry's videos. Keep up the fantastic work!

These are the kind videos RU-vid should have. So relaxing, fun to watch and very informative.

Holy crap, it's impressive watching Larry drive-home those 16d nails in a single lick, post-set.

I watch Larry's videos whenever I need to feel better about the world. His voice, personality and the rhythm of his work are meditative to me. His videos never get old.

I’ve learned so many small tricks from this man it’s unreal . It’s the little things that add up to make for more efficient framing . Like using his hammer as a fulcrum for prying braces off . And his layout jig . Any time you pull out your measuring tape is time lost .

Just found out about you from Scott Wadsworth on Essential Craftsman. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Larry was one of the greatest carpenters there ever was in this old world His work is legendary

After 2 years in retired, I refresh my memory and skill..it a good video...thank you..

Quite possibly the best video I have seen on RU-vid... This is coming from someone who has seen thousands of hours of videos on here. Well done

I've been building for over 30 years, and always heard about Larry Haun. Didn't figure I needed to watch since...well, I've been building for over 30 years. Damn if I didn't learn a couple neat tricks :) Way more to compliment here than nitpick, but one thing I'll say is that stud spacing method of re-starting at every king & partition may work structurally, but is going to make for a lot of waste in sheathing, drywall, and labor cutting panels down to size. Let-in bracing solves the sheathing problem in this vid, but pretty sure most of the country sheathes nowadays. And you can bet Larry was long gone when the drywall guys showed up & were cursing him out ;)

Larry Haun is first RU-vid blogger before RU-vid has came up

Larry haun is the Bob Ross of house framing .

I love what you said about the end stud nailing on a butt wall, leaving it back from the end of the plate a quarter inch, so that the plates butt tightly together to ensure dimensions are accurate. I've worked as a carpenter for 30 years or so, and I do the same thing. This is the first time I've ever heard some one else make mention of that technique.

At 67, brings back a lot on memories of residential and apartment framing. Though not near as limber today, I've enjoyed, the physical and creative aspects of building. I've since dropped back into remodeling. I've often said every home is picked up 3x by hand. At my age, I've lifted quit a few buildings. You learn to work as a team. Fork lifts and nailers have made construction easier but the physical aspects are still there. No regrets!😉