Replies

1. 
   Joe_Hennessey | Nov 17, 2000 08:53pm | #1

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   YT, I think there was a cover article in FHB a few (3,5,10??) years ago about building with ply box beams. The cover I recall had a white endwall, tall gable with large window opening built this way....that ring any bells out there? Joe H

1. 
   George_Abramshe | Nov 17, 2000 10:24pm | #2

   *I think your looking for issue #114 pgs.106-111, it's the Feb/March issue. There was an comment in a later issue concerning the use of titebond glue instead of a structural glue, something about titebond not having a structural rating. We toyed with the idea of doing this on a project but it never materialized(the project I mean). If you do decide to do this you should definately consult an engineer first. Hope this helps.

1. 
   JonC_ | Nov 17, 2000 10:31pm | #3

   *I have an old book around here somewhere by Alex Wade, "30 Energy Efficient Houses" or something like that. He advocated a timberframing system for DIYers utilizing solid timbers built up out of standard dimension lumber, simplifying alot of the joint cutting etc. Dont recall him using any box beams in it but you might find some potential alternatives to timberframing without big timbers there.JonC

1. 
   Duncan_Mahoney | Nov 18, 2000 04:56am | #4

   *I have a copy of a guide called "design and fabrication of glued plywood-lumber beams" from the APA (www.apawood.org) that might be what you are looking for. You will probably want to read it with a structural engineer because it is a very math and formula dense publication that will give you the info you need to design the beams but it is not a "span-table" for given sizes. If you can work out the attachments, I see no reason why plywood beams would not work for a "timber frame". You could even run wires and small ducts in the beams! HTH

1. 
   nathan_wegemer | Nov 18, 2000 08:29am | #5

   *if someone could tell me how to attach a scan to my post, I've got some good stuff here on "flitch" beams, and built up members with 2x and ply...

2. 
   josh | Nov 18, 2000 07:02pm | #6

   *have a friend here in Oregon who ships a lot of lumber to Hawaii and another friend who is moving over to build homes as well and has already made the lumber and transport conections here. they tell me that the costs are not realy as bad as the lumber yards make them out to be over there. The first friend, Tom, who is in the lumber business says as long as the beam is not longer then a container and is shiped with other lumber irt is no big deal. They ship whole house packages.

3. 
   Luka_ | Nov 18, 2000 08:00pm | #7

   *natahn,The scan should be made into a .jpg or .gif, if it is not already.Then, just use that grey 'browse' button at the bottom of the edit box you use to write your post. The button will start a browse of your computer. Just point it to the file, and then hit the 'post' button. Be sure to wait long enough for the pic to upload. Your comp will sit there for a while doing nothing. But you will know when the pic is finished.

4. 
   nathan_w | Nov 19, 2000 05:18am | #8

   *attachment test.how'd I do?

5. 
   Luka_ | Nov 19, 2000 09:12am | #9

   *Doesn't work here.

6. 
   nathan_wegemer | Nov 19, 2000 09:19am | #10

   *seems that it opens in the scanning software I did it in, when I open the attachment saved to my desktop.

7. 
   Luka_ | Nov 19, 2000 09:29am | #11

   *When it saves to disk here, it saves as an .html file. Opening the file gives only a blank page. How did you go about 'attaching' it to your post ? What kind of file is it supposed to be ?

8. 
   nathan_wegemer | Nov 19, 2000 09:54am | #12

   *saved as .jpeg to desktophit "browse"goto dsktop folderhit "open" on file saved as "box beam detail"this file name appears in the attachments box to the left of the browse button.I tried to double check the file type, but now, the scanning sftwre refuses to open. Problem with these computers is you can't get your hands on the files to give'm a good shake. I'll try it again

9. 
   Luka_ | Nov 19, 2000 10:30am | #13

   *Ok, I changed the extension to .jpg, and can now view what I saved to disk.As a .jpg it should show like this when you attach it...b Attachment: C:WindowsDesktopbox beam detail.jpgInstead what is showing on the screen is...b Attachment: box beam detailAre you editing the post after you make the attachment and adding some sort of html code, etc ?Here's your .jpg straight forward attached to my post...

2. 
   YT_Kealoha | Nov 19, 2000 10:30am | #14

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   Has anyone used plywood skinned 2x4 or 2x6 framed box beams, replacing solid timbers for girder, posts and beams, in a "timber framed" house? Is this do-able or an engineering nightmare? I am trying to work out the details for a small house in Hawaii. Timbers are hard to find here and shipment from the mainland is expensive.