Where can I find information on designing trusses? I have 70s vintage mini double wide that I want to build an over-roof on where the roof would be self supporting rather than rest on the doublewide.
The Professional Termite
Where can I find information on designing trusses? I have 70s vintage mini double wide that I want to build an over-roof on where the roof would be self supporting rather than rest on the doublewide.
The Professional Termite
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Replies
Design your own trusses and build them ? ooohhh! Boss is gonna tear you a new butt. Ill be back , Ive got to start selling tickets.
Tim Mooney
Tim;
Please reserve me a first or second row seat, near an exit (in case I have to make a quick exit).
I hung drywall today from 7:30 am to 5:30 PM. Too tired to tear into anything but dinner. Then it's off to nap in the recliner until bedtime.
I'll try sometime tomorrow.
Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place. - Billy Crystal
Forgive me Boss.....there are resources...if you have the knowledge to deal with the numbers.
For the glee of it see if you can find a book with ISBN 0-89373-038-6 "Handbook of Building Plans" 1978 edition by Midwest Plan Service for use through the Agriculture Extension Service>
Lots of handbuilt truss plans for agricultural and general building...lots of charts....loading calculation and knowledge needed. The cost of materials (dimensional lumber only) is about half of the cost of purchasing engineered trusses!
BUT....... Add in the following: many tubes of construction adhesive, thousands of pneumatic fasteners, numerous and various sizes and shapes of 5/8 plywood gussets for both sides of each trusses, plus a flat area for a semi permanent onsite layout/fabrication and storage, a chopsaw to cut many and various angles...some beyond 45 degree, waste and offall from plywood and dimensional lumber, and very strong workers to move the log trusses to the wall tops.
Yes, you can build them......but they will be engineered by you, and will consume many, many hours in assembly...wear you out to lift into position.... and you are liable for any failures of design or dimension.
Your choice.....your time is valuable, your piece of mind is important, the integrity of your structure is paramount. Engineered manufactured trusses are one of the few remaining true values to be had in this modern age of construction.
Chose wisely.....................Iron Helix
My first experience with Habitat For Humanity was showing up on a blitz day when the guy in charge had failed to order the trusses in time, so we spent blitz day building trusses on the floor deck. I handled one joint. Put on a bunch of glue, lay down the ply, hammer a bunch of nails. Flip and repeat. Carry it out. Man, my arm was tired at the end of that day. And that was about the only thing we got done. We built the trusses and the small storage shed in back.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Edited 3/1/2003 9:58:40 PM ET by Rich Beckman
I can plant the tree and grow the lumber.....or go buy it....
So I buy it.
Same with trusses.
Otherwise....I stick frame...with store bought lumber.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Iron Helix
Thank You, Thank You. That is the kind of info I am looking for. I will check it out. Maybe my local co-op has a copy. I don't see the number crunching as a problem. I allready know what load I need to design for. I also don't see the construction or placing as a problem. All that has allready been figured out to make it a one man job, but I will have help. I do plan to check cost of a local truss manufacturer but will be suprised if they can compete. My cost will be lumber at $0.11 per bdft. Free plywood, free use of nail or staple gun and my own labor on evenings and weekends. There is no failure liabilty problem and building to the correct dimensions is just plain a no brainer. Thanks for the info and input.
Tim Mooney
The boss ain't going to do nuthin. I am the boss. This is a home project and the only one it has to please is me. Don't even have to deal with building permits or codes. Eat your heart out guys.<g>
Notchman
No seats available, not even standing room. You come, you work. No broomhandle supervisers allowed. ;^)The Professional Termite
Lighten up . It was a joke .
Tim Mooney
Tim
I took it as that. Did you miss the grin <g> in my reply? Sorry man, didn't mean to offend you.
RichThe Professional Termite
I did miss the grin . My opologies.
Tim Mooney
When they said something about the "Boss" getting here, I think they meant me. Guess I'm the unofficial "truss guy" around here.
In general, I think people building their own trusses is a bad idea. Several people have been in here over the years asking about it. Generally when I tell them what I think, they get real defensive. They accuse me of being jealous, say I'm just being defensive, etc., etc.
So I'm wondering if it's really worth spending the time to offer advice on the subject just so I can get the verbal abuse?
If you wanna know what I think (and why I think it) I'll tell you. If not I won't waste my time.If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
I think you let the cat out on what you think but I would be very interested in the why. That may be info I need to make a good decision. If this really is something that should not be attemted I would like to know why. There are enough manufacturers out there that I can't believe it is to dificult, but rather a matter of having the right info. Tell me your thoughts and I won't be offended.
RichThe Professional Termite
Here's a thread Tim Mooney started a long time ago on the subject. It covers most of my thoughts pretty well.
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=21664.1
BTW - When you say: "There are enough manufacturers out there that I can't believe it is too dificult" what exactly do you mean?
Thanks for not being offended, also.
Once you read the resource Boss listed of my post you will further understand my teasing. I respect Boss a lot and I did at the time that post was written . While I respect his imput on the subject , I still make small trusses. You also got a link off the post on truss design. The decision is yours alone whether to proceed. Boss has taught me one thing for sure . Its not worth the liability if Im not comfortable with making the truss. I also live in the home of the southern pine and its plentiful and cheap for me. Its the stongest pine growing and Ive got them in my yard as shade trees. Most people who own land here also own a stand of yellow pine . I do. There are portable band mills here that will cut your timber on site . There are houses being built here that the trees never leave the property. Im in a prime area to make use of a native product . I have blue printed the trusses I have already bought for small houses and use bigger cleats made from 5/8s plywood taking care to match the stress of the ply with the joint. I also over built it in most cases . I actually did grow up making trusses on the job , but those were simple trusses. The trussses made for most roofs today need enineering. My advice is to not do what I have done .
I dont make trusses for people I work for and they are only for my houses as I have rentals. I have made them for specs , but Boss has pointed out liability. I respect liability.
Tim Mooney
Thanks for the kind words, Tim.
BTW - Don't think you ever answered my "goat roper" question - Did you miss that? Or were you so offended you ignored it?Analogies in writing are like feathers on a snake
I just failed to answer it , I wasnt offended.
Goat ropers live in Oklahoma . I think they got that tag from Texas , twasnt us.
Tim Mooney