Roger, I understand it the same way. The first step is leveling the beam log, the second step: draw vertical and horizontal cross on both ends of log and connect them along the log with chalk line.
OK, the next questions. I understand how this big board with elliptical cutout can help to draw line around log. If I hold pencil on the template surface the pencil line will be flat even on curved log. But is this template general-purpose (for all logs) or is it done differently for each log diameter? Why are there two cutouts? The bigger one (elliptical) is probably for sloping lines and cuts. But why is there another circular cutout? Is it for right angled or perpendicular cuts? Or for different logs? What is Robert doing on the first picture? What is measuring on the pictures #2, #5 and #6? And why? Is there any other way than using this big board with cutouts? As I said-I have a lot of questions....
Another question: the beam and the rafter here in pictures have almost same diameter. How to proceed if diameters are different and rafter is smaller? Then the crossing of both logs will be above the beam middle line..
