A lever with a hook on it can be a big help on a timber-frame construction site. Resembling a big wrench (see drawing), the site-built tool can be used to straighten otherwise unyielding heavy timbers. I used one of the wrenches to take the twist out of a 26-ft. Douglas fir 6×8 girder. The same wrench came in handy for flipping a huge 6x ridge beam while it was still on the sawhorses.
On another job, I made a wrench with a 14-ft. handle. The long handle made it easy to straighten the outboard ends of the 3×8 rafters on the second story while I stood comfortably on the ground.
Ron Milner, Grass Valley, CA
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I'm sure this 'wrench' works, but can anyone tell me how that 'untwisted' beam has cracked after it's moisture content has fully acclimated?
I'd love to see a comparison to a beam that wasn't 'untwisted' and simply left as-is.