Tim you are correct that it is a balloon frame wall- 10' tall. and the top of the joist is at 8'. I am wondering if a drop in (with timber lock pinning down)is sufficient enough. or should i consider something more like a soffit or even a dovetail to with stand the tension from the roof spreading?
The summer beam is a 6x10 supported mostly by a framed wall underneath. The total free span is only 5' with the end set into a beam pocket in the gable end of the wall. Similar to the article Will Beamer wrote last year in FHB. And i too am concerned if a a let in ledger on the framed wall would comprise my measly 5.5 fir studs.
I do not see that a drop in pocket for each joist is too reasonable as there will be 10 per wall- it truly compromises the efficiency of a frame wall (thermal at least)
