Originally posted by Michal Zajic:
Very few people actually house braces so the only structural member in play is one peg each side (hypothetically tenon to mortise edge after peg cracks and some imaginary friction between brace and beam/post). Not much, it is barely enough for bracing and takes just one crack to ruin it all. If you are still tempting to place your scarf joint over brace, let me suggest housing the brace on both sides.
Michal, In square rule timberframing it is common practice to house the braces. I have dismantled several old frames were the braces were not pegged at all. I have also raised new frames were we did not peg the braces. braces are designed to work in opposing pairs in compression. This photo was taken at a TF Guild rendezvou in 2003. The braces were not pegged. Tom
