Dennis, the many times I have been over and over that book, the cover is taped back on, I never noticed the ommited braces in those drawings, now I'm curious if they were left out for clarity or they never were there. On page 38 he mentions bracing being left out but also recomends them in the house frame. I took a old frame down and rebuilt it and but it back up, it was a house with interior walls and only 8 braces total, all in the corners, but 3 were compromised 2 of which were completly missing the third cut for a window. The frame was still very strong and stiff. We were very cautious in taking it down. Of all the possible joints out there the tying joint is one of my favorites a close second is the dropped tie with a wedged half dove tail. I have never used a jowled post, so can't atest to the looks of one with a brace. I have cut many "fan tailed " post and don't mind the bracing at all, and straight bracing at that. Tim
