Traditional Oak Framing or Modern Fixings

[MortarThePoint]

I'm making a simple porch frame to go between two walls and I am pondering between a bridle cut and a simpler to make bolt held option (M12 x 250 Stainless). The two options are at the bottom of this post (but at the top of the porch post :-). Vertical posts are 145x145 and horizontal beam is 95x195. Although it's more effort, I am currently leaning towards the bridle cut. It would prevent any light passing though a narrow gap that could open up through shrinkage. It's much more work to make though and the finished result will look identical bar any gaps. Silly?

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:37 by MortarThePoint

[MortarThePoint]

I could drill and peg at the join to fill the gap, but I'd have to be very careful not to blow through with the drill and there would still be a small unplugged gap left

[garrymartin]

If it's a pre-existing structure, will you have enough clearance to get the bridle cut post in place?

[MortarThePoint]

1 minute ago, garrymartin said:

If it's a pre-existing structure, will you have enough clearance to get the bridle cut post in place?

 

Good question. There are posts at each end of the beam which will be fixed lower down to the wall. The bridle cuts at the end would have to be like this I expect

 

 

[MortarThePoint]

A concern with the bridle cut that isn't an issue with the modern fixing approach is he possibility of the post splitting due to it shrinking more than the beam

[garrymartin]

Ah, you're making the entire frame, not trying to put vertical pieces into something that is already there. I misunderstood. In that case, definitely the bridle cut if your woodworking skills are up to it.

[ToughButterCup]

22 hours ago, MortarThePoint said:

.... It's much more work to make though and the finished result will look identical bar any gaps. Silly

 

No: the opposite.

 

Making it parallels learning ( for which read  the 'errors' ) involved. That learning builds over time. And thus confidence. 

But most of all quiet satisfaction. And deep pleasure if only we ( I ?) allow ourselves to enjoy it.

 

21 hours ago, MortarThePoint said:

.... but I'd have to be very careful not to ...

 

There's your opportunity right there. Excellent.

 

Do it. Photograph it. Self-build-porn that'll become.

I mean you might even get a compliment from  @SteamyTea 

( mind you it's not Friday yet)

[MortarThePoint]

Well, like Baldric I have come up with a cunning plan. It's on the far left of the options below and involves cutting an undersized notch in the beam, which gets relieved on the post using a router. It also allows a shallower notch in the beam if I cut a slot the top of the post. That slot also serves to constrain the joint laterally. It's kind of a hybrid of traditional and modern.

 

100mm joint with a 85mm Circular Saw depth:

 

100mm joint with a 50mm Circular Saw depth:

[ToughButterCup]

Now that's neat. Remember we want photos.

 

Instinct tells me this is maybe a bit complicated (?) One factor will be the quality of the wood; definitely a case of going to the BM and choosing the wood yourself.

 

German chippies would solve the shrinkage problem with foam😑