hi Pillar:
Just a note here for the good of the order (so they say).
You probably know by now I refer back to historic examples of buildings like the one you are going to construct, which is a very basic small structure. I must say that of all the examples I have seen up here in Upper Canada, never have i came across one with a ridge timber used like you are describing. It seems alittle bit to me like overkill, the rafters need not to be supported in the fashion you are describing, but rather just half lapped at the top, and set in nice mortises on the plate and pinned there..
the Tie beams will easily hold the outward thrust of the rafters, as long as they are well mortised and tenoned and pinned with (2) oak pins (1.25" diam) at each attachment point.
Im not saying not to do it, but why do something unecessary. You can't go wrong following old methods in my book
NH
