I think it is helpful to refer to a piece in a frame depending on it's use. I also think it can be important to identify pieces designed to be in compression vs. tension since it can change the joinery (and engineering?). Ties are in tension. If a piece is not in tension, it should not be called a tie. Just to make things controversial, king-posts and queen-posts are designed to be in tension and thus should not be called posts!
Jim
So, with Housewrights post I would pose the question once again. If the king post truss had a post or two under it could you now truly call it a king post? With the tie supported the joinery decision for the king to tie joint would be a simple 2" or 3" tenon. If unsupported and a true truss the king would become a king piece and require a strong tying joint.
I am seeing how this quote thing works. Here goes. Tim
