In, what I call, traditional timber framing we use continuous plates, not interrupted plates as Steve designs.

I feel that a continuous plate make a building stiffer to begin with, and when braced properly very ridged.

Jim Rogers

I'll probably choose that technical solution in my next frame Jim, one thing I have been pointing yes.

Neil- how you making out with that? Stiffened up yet? There was a derelict barn near us that someone pulled the vertical siding off. And guess what, first wind storm which happened to be the next day, the thing fell over. Timberframes are strong, real strong, but a little bounce on a new frame is part of it. Do you draw bore? Do you drill braces once in place and posts are plumb? (we do! seems to work really good) We use 1 1/8 pegs a lot. At least 1". Let us know how you are making out? A link to the build would be awesome!