I’m starting work on the front porch extension and deck-style front stairs (our entryway is on the 2nd floor), and I’ve run into a small problem. I’m using long (16′) 4×4 posts to go from the concrete anchors on the ground all the way up and act as supports for the beams on which the flooring joists will rest, and as they continue on up, they’ll serve also as newels for the porch handrails.

Problem: on one side, I have three posts in a line, 1.5m apart (total distance 3m), with two 4×6 beams (each roughly 1.5m long) to be located between and linking the three posts. Ordinarily I would probably use shorter posts and rest a longer 3m beam on top of the posts, and then make separate arrangements for the handrail newels, but unless you convince me otherwise, that’s out.

My Japanese carpenter suggested that he use a mortise-and-tenon joint between posts and beams, but while I would love that aesthetic touch, I assume that cutting that deeply into the wood would destroy most of the effect of the pressure treatment.

Poor planning on my part, I assumed that Simpson had a joist hanger (like the HUCQ shown in the photo) that would accommodate a 4×6 and could be attached to a 4x post and could be purchased here in Japan. Well, they almost do, as seen in the accompanying photograph. Unfortunately, 1) the smallest one they have appears to be for a 4×10, and although it might be possible to use it with a 4×6. . . 2) anyway, it’s not sold in Japan, according to the limited catalog of Simpson strongtie stuff available here.

I don’t want to have to pay the gignormous shipping prices on four of the HUCQ hangers without knowing that they’ll work so I’m checking out what similar fixtures are available from Japanese manufacturers.
Given this situation, I can imagine a number of workarounds, but I’m not sure how effective/safe they would be. So how would you go about achieving the same end without using the Simpson hanger (and assuming PT lumber)?<br>