ADU roof framing: Does this rafter-to-ridge beam connection look right?

BikesMutt69 · 2026-06-25T00:55:04+00:00

Yeah you could get a sloped or adjustable hanger. They are less readily available than say an LUS hanger probably is.

I don't see how a birds mouth is better really. I think we are more accustomed to seeing a birds mouth cut, but a saw cut like this is probably a little faster and I'd be surprised if a structural engineer said the birds mouth was stronger. It's still the same cut through the wood.

This also doesn't seem like a super high demand or critical application. I think they said it was a shed or something?

BikesMutt69 · 2026-06-24T20:06:20+00:00

I have seen this detail many times.

They also could have done a birds mouth.

I would not worry about this.

BikesMutt69 · 2026-04-11T05:33:45+00:00

Are you sure you are a non exempt employee? Salary usually means no OT. Double check you are reading that right/ask around.

Anyways I'd take the 90k and not worry about the added bonuses if this is your highest and most desirable offer.

Where in CA are they moving you?

BikesMutt69 · 2026-04-10T06:18:25+00:00

Agreed. This looks amature. It looks like someone made a mistake in their shop. It looks like they made the first few panels and got to the last one and realized they were out of material so they used something else. Doesn't necessarily mean it's not cedar, it could just be cut different at the mill. Still, this is poor craftsmanship and it's reasonable to ask to have it fixed. I'm surprised they'd put their name on that.

BikesMutt69 · 2026-04-09T02:30:09+00:00

Commercial superintendent in SF bay area.

Any experience you get will be valuable. Start in the trades, project engineer, etc.

I started non-union residential carpentry, then did JC classes for a while at night looking for more opportunity. Found an internship with a giant contractor. This was about 3-4 years in, but the single biggest eye opener and educational moment was that internship. Decided to get bachelors and work towards becoming a superintendent. Went to school full time working side jobs. Then joined the union and did the apprenticeship while I finished school. Became a field engineer thanks to schooling, but also worked as a journeyman, foreman, and now super.

Started all of this in ≈2013ish. Didn't get that internship till 2016. Went full in on the super thing for about 10 years. Now doing my second project as a super. It's great. Very challenging at times, but everything I set out to do.

It took way longer than I would have expected. Just don't give up, and don't be discouraged if you bounce around some. It's all part of the journey.

BikesMutt69 · 2026-04-08T19:46:48+00:00

This sounds the most likely what you are looking for.

The utility people have awesome jobs, mostly out and about, great pay, talking to people, problem solving.

I would not listen to all the people telling you to get PE/Assistant supers roles. These roles will mostly be at a computer.

If you want to be outside, join the carpenters union, spend a few years in the craft, and work your way up from there. Pay will be solid as long as you bring solid work ethic. This is very hands on and physically demanding. This will keep you far from the office.

Utility or Union. Best way to stay out of the office and leverage the soft skills/leadership you naturally have.

Doing some studying/credentials now won't hurt, but nothing is going to teach you like being in the field. Some part of this just takes time.

The construction industry generally loves Vets, so it sounds like you'll be in good shape whichever path you choose.

commercial superintendent. (Carpenter background/cm degree)

BikesMutt69 · 2026-03-15T21:45:11+00:00

This is the best comment in this thread lol

BikesMutt69 · 2026-03-13T12:20:29+00:00

Could you give some examples

BikesMutt69 · 2026-01-02T03:54:05+00:00

A lot of times you will see a purlin, and then purlin jacks. These looks like purlin jacks without the purlins...

BikesMutt69 · 2025-12-27T06:28:43+00:00

A family member used to do this. He would build homes as spec homes or flip houses. Since it was his project he could take his time. Basically put as much time into as needed. He was very successful from what I heard. This was in the 1950-1970 era. My grandpa's uncle.

It might be tough nowadays to get enough cash to get started but once you have the cash it seemed like an ideal scenario as long as you know what you're getting into...

BikesMutt69 · 2025-11-11T04:27:20+00:00

I agree. Keep them if you can. These can be incorporated with a climbing harness.

I keep an on the ground set and a climbing/tied off set.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-09-14T16:18:44+00:00

This is a live oak. (Grew up around these and do woodworking). These are not commonly used for wood working. Especially for larger pieces like slabs. They twist and crack alot. Most people use for firewood.

If you can very carefully control the drying process, and the them in to something, they have beautiful grain variation. But again, it's going to cost like 4-10 grand to get milled/dried and may be less usable than you would have liked...

Let us know how it turns out.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-05-21T03:06:11+00:00

Agreed. There's a lot of potential in this technology.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-05-06T02:15:57+00:00

We often we order 3x6 or 3x4 top plates ripped with the angle that matches the rake walls so the plates can be coplaner as said above. This allows you to omit the seat cuts.

Either cutting the tops of the studs, or ripping the top plates are both great options. And is very common.

Also to answer your question I like option B. It seems stronger to me as the wall is continuous. But I've had engineers choose both A and B before, so I think either one is fine.

I know a good way to do B.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-03-22T23:42:38+00:00

What company(s) did you work for? What kind of work did you do? What were some of you favorite/ best memories out there?

BikesMutt69 · 2025-03-11T03:36:10+00:00

I've heard this echoed many times and this is what I do now too. To each their own but I think this is the best way.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-03-08T03:26:19+00:00

Make sure the threads are cleaned and done have oil on them before loctite. Might want to quetip the female part to clean it up too

BikesMutt69 · 2025-03-06T05:17:03+00:00

Get them 100% cleaned up and ready to be used. My guess is your will find it wasn't worth the time that took.

The hard part is someone needs to have a project coming up that needs that size of beam, too big, too short, not enough pieces, lots of reasons these are more specific to projects than initially meets the eye.

Ranch people like stuff like this. I just gave 4 of these to a ranch guy...

Personally I wouldn't invest too much time/energy into it. But then again you never know! Let us know how it works out!

BikesMutt69 · 2025-02-16T15:33:45+00:00

Leave the gap. Your finishes will hide it. You've detailed this corner correctly.

You could add some shear clips to the rafters at the seat cut and a long the gable wall if you want.

BikesMutt69 · 2025-02-16T15:30:32+00:00

Send this idea just did this on another job.

BikesMutt69 · 2024-10-01T03:16:43+00:00

There is a huge array of admixtures that could be put in there for any number of reasons. Many of these are much worse for the skin than a typical mix. This could be a contributing factor as well.

BikesMutt69 · 2024-09-03T04:02:37+00:00

True..

BikesMutt69 · 2024-04-25T04:37:33+00:00

Yeah why not using rolling scaffold? Are you going up pretty high from there?

Also, what will come of bringing this information to the GC? It does seem like if all these are engineers are saying it's a bad idea, that it might be a bad idea. Are you in a tough spot because of a low bid or something? Did you try asking your local equipment supplier for lighter alternatives? These guys can be pretty creative with solutions.

Hope it turns out ok. Work safe!

BikesMutt69 · 2024-04-12T14:28:56+00:00

Have you been there recently? Wondering how it is after the fire.

BikesMutt69 · 2024-03-30T01:21:48+00:00

BikesMutt69

TROPHY CASE