I am reading the timber framers work shop book by Steve Chapplle, and I am reading about the english tying joint (p.87) if anyone wants to refer to the book. My question is when and how do the the intermediate top plates go in if the bent is already together.

Michael,

those plates will get installed as the bend is being raised. They get slipped into the mortise and will then act as a spacer also. Like sticking a card into a slot. Then peg to secure them.

thanks for the response. Do you know of good surce for any video footage of timber framing either joinery of the raising of the structures?

Michael, There is some movie from long ago. It looks like one of those where they still turned the reel to film moving pictures. It is of a barn raising with about 50 strong. I do not remember the name of the movie. It is black and white and is in fast forward in some parts. Very cool. I'll check at the library for the name and let you know.

mo

Hi Michael,

What is an intermediate top plate ?

Regards

Ken Hume

Ken,

the frame Michael was referring to does not have a continues top plate. Instead the plate is mortised into each post of each bend. Sort of like purlins get installed on principal rafters. I believe they are even referred to as intermediate plates in the book.
I guess this eliminates the use of long timbers. But at the same time creates a hole pile of other problems. More joinery thus weakness per post intersection. Less strong. More strain on each joint when lateral loads are applied.
So thinking about it probably not such a great approach unless of course you will apply sheathing that can resist lateral loads and will hold the frame together. Kind os defeats the purpose of bulding a TF.

Ken:
In Steve's designs it is the timber just above the arrow in this photo:

As to Michael's question, it has to go in at the same time the bents are assembled or first and then the bents are leaned out just enough to get the top plate in.
This type of design is not a traditional design it is more of a modern design and therefore requires a different raising process than a traditional design.

I would have to agree with Derek here.
The book/frame Michael was referring to is actually talking about a modified version of the English tie joint/beam. Like I mentioned before the plate is not a continues plate but rather individual(intermediate?) members going from bend to bend. They are mortised into the post of each bend. But instead of the tenon being on the post and the mortise on the plate they reversed the assembly. So the post has the mortises and the plate the tenons. I wish I could add a picture but I cannot get my computer to do what I wish it to.
In any case he, Michael, did not mean a wall purlin or so when talking about the intermediate plate.

Is an interrupted plate or tie the same as a intermediate? If it is traditionally all one timber and the new style is separate sticks then it would be interrupted. My mother said it is always rude to interrupt.