Replies

1. 
   johnnyd | Mar 09, 2004 12:20am | #1

   I've always notched out both sides of the 6X6 post about 1 1/2", so the beam rests on the horizontal part of the notch, and then gets through bolted too. 

2. 
   Sphere | Mar 09, 2004 02:06am | #2

   one 3" notch..not for any particular reason, just thats what I do. Never have capped with felt either.

   I did do a gazeebo once with the help of the customer..he insisted on no notches on 4x4 posts and put 4x4 blocks every2 feet in the double joists ..made for a tuff fit up at the center but worked real well for angled decking..

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   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

1. 
   robcustom | Mar 10, 2004 04:34am | #3

   never forget the wonders of teco stuff. more often than not on decks in central jersey people set pins in crete bolt base plates to pin(they even adjust up to 1 1/2"),  nail in post place girder ontop and use nifty u shaped angle irons available at home depot, supply houses and lowes

3. 
   ProDek | Mar 12, 2004 12:39am | #4

   We make a 3 1/2" notch for a 4x beam then put a 2x6 gusset on the inside.

   We don't use 2x material for beams. We're spoiled. We can get up to 20' lengths in 4x treated material.

   If I had to use 2x material I think I would rip some 1/2" treated plywood (expensive) into 4" strips and sandwich the strips between your 2x material. This will allow water to pass through the 2x material rather than trapping it between two sistered joists.

   Here's a picture of how we pocket a beam.

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Bob

1. 
   dotto | Mar 12, 2004 02:26pm | #5

   The gusset seems like cheap insurance to me.  Do you nail it or use screws to attach?  They've been slow around here to upgrade to "better galvanized" fasteners, but all deck screws are rated for use with ACQ now.

   Do you notch a 4x4 post if used or do you use a metal connector?  There certainly isn't much to notch.

    Using the 4x4 post to beam connectors that Simpson makes (i.e. for small porches), would require a 1/2" spacer between the 2x's.  I can get 4x6 PT beam where 4x4 posts are used, but that size beam is limited to a span of 6'.  That's a lot of 4x4's on even a small deck.

   Thanks for the reply. 

   Dave Otto -- Otto Construction -- PA

1. 
   ProDek | Mar 12, 2004 07:21pm | #6

   On a 4x4 post we set the beam on top and gusset each side"Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Bob

2. 
   ProDek | Mar 12, 2004 07:31pm | #7

   You're right Dave, you would need a post every 6' for a 4x6 beam and then you would need knee braces to take out the deflection.

   We gun nail with 3" hot dipped galvanized nails. You could screw the gussets, it just takes a little longer.

   I think in your case I would nail two 2x10s together with the 1/2"treated spacer. Home depot has some 6" wide plastic 1/2" thick fascia that would work well for spacer material. I think it runs $17.00 for a 12' length.

   Have fun......... "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   Bob

4. 
   TrimButcher | Mar 13, 2004 07:37pm | #8

   Typical in my geography that beams are two 2x connected to post top using Simpson Strong tie connectors. Nailing the 2x together is stronger than having them separate and independent of each other.

   See this for suitable connectors:

   http://www.strongtie.com/products/categories/post_caps_bases.html 

   Regards,

   Tim Ruttan