Timber Framers Guild Forums General General Forum Questions Leveling a frame

We are erecting a frame on a concrete slab that is uneven, what is your preferred method for leveling the frame? Do you cut your posts so that the tops are all even or do you use shims to even things up? The difference between the highest point and the lowest point on the slab where the posts sit is about 1- 1/4". Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

Harry

Harry,

We leave the post feet long until we get on site and then we "shoot the deck" with a transit, laser, or water level, etc at the post locations to determine relative elevations and therefore where to cut off the posts.

Hope it turns out well for you,

Gabel

Gabel,

Thanks. I have a laser level and I thought your idea would be the best way to level everything. We will be raising the frame the week after Thanksgiving.

Harry

Lest you forget only a ditch is made longer by cutting at either end.
take your measurements very carefully
good luck

Emmett,

Or a mortise.

Having made the mortise too big where do you find a tenon stretcher ?

sticky yellow glue and finishing nails....

the tenon stretchers we use come from the Netherlands. Come to think of it so do the mortise shrinkers.

Gabel

Just wanted to let everyone know how our frame turned out. We cut off the posts according to our laser measurements. Most posts only needed to have about a 1/2" trimmed off. One was off by 1 1/2". The frame went together flawlessly and was plumb, level and square when we were finished. Thanks for all your advice. I have some pictures posted on another website I frequent. (Tractorbynet.com) Here is the link if anyone is interested.

This is a link of the finished frame picture:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/783299-Full%20timberframe.jpg

Emmett,

Just wanted to let you know. When I did the measurements, I did it three times to make sure.

Haz