Progress was slow but steady this week. I started on the ridge beam and decided that as I had never made any kind of scarf joint before, why not make two? As I had two lengths of 4.8 metre timber, and I needed a 7 metre ridge beam, I thought why not put one piece of timber in the central section and have a scarf at either end which will sit within the sections with ties.
Next I moved on to making rafters. I've never made a rafter in my life, so I anticipated mistakes and over ordered on timber. First two rafters made, mocked up on the floor to double check bird mouths are in the right place, and then put into place. No great dramas and I was pleasantly surprised. The overhang was 30mm longer than intended and I wasn't sure why
. However, it all seemed ok, so I cracked on. In my eagerness to get the rafters in place I hadn't used one to create a template, but no big deal I'll just mark one out again, cut it, and use it as a template. To cut a long story short the next two rafters I cut weren't right and I wasn't entirely sure why. Scrap them and start over, and I managed to make another two rafters that were difference again but still not right. It started to look like the first two were blind luck
. Decided to give up for the day as I was clearly missing something and getting nowhere.
In the evening I watched a couple of videos on YouTube on how to cut a common rafter. Found a good one that explained and showed it well. Back on making rafters this morning, quick refresh with the video and I soon realised where my measuring error was happening. Despite the rain I was able to make progress and get a pair of rafters up at the other end and I installed some ties as well for a belt and braces approach, especially as the main door opening has no other means of tying both sides together. Pressed on with setting up to get the ridge in place and I'm part way there. I was running out of light so I decided it was best to call it day where it was rather than try to be a hero with a 7 metre long piece of timber in the dark. I've got a few days available next week to do some more, so hopefully I should get the ridge up and all the rafters and ties in place.